RoadVitals

2009 BMW 650I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Nov 21, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 BMW 650I, most frequently naming the airbags, exterior lighting and other / unspecified categories. 43 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags116.7%
  • Exterior lighting116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 21, 2017

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE, AND IT IS DANGEROUS....EXAMPLE IS WHEN I WAS AT A STOP SIGN FOR EXAMPLE, AND I WOULD ACCELERATE TO NAVIGATE THE INTERSECTION THE GEAR WOULD JUMP INTO NEUTRAL FOR NO REASON, AND LEAVE ME STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION, ANY ONCOMING VEHICLE COULD HAVE EASILY STRUCK ME, UPON NOTIFYING BMW OF THIS SITUATION THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS EITHER A SENSOR OR RELAY ISSUE. IT WAS CORRECTED FOR A WHILE....THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN FAILED AND THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE HAD 85,000 MILES....AND WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AT A BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS NEVER ABUSED IN ANY WAY. BMW HAS ALSO HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE ENGINES ON THESE MODELS AS I HAVE

NHTSA ID
11047717
Incident
Jul 15, 2016
Mileage
1 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 650I. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

NHTSA ID
10904392
Incident
Aug 24, 2016
Mileage
51,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 10, 2014

BOUGHT CAR FROM DEALER W/18K MILES, TEST DROVE AND NOTICED NOISE/VIBRATION UNDER FEET, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, (SAID IT WAS THE "SPORT PACKAGE, RAIN, TIRES".) THEY HAD EXCUSE FOR EVERYTHING. THIS IS THE THIRD CAR I HAVE OWNED LIKED THIS AND NO ISSUES OF THIS KIND. FINALLY TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER, SAID IT WAS THE RIMS BENT, TIRES DAMAGED. RETURNED TO 1ST DEALER FOR REPAIRS TO RIMS/NEW TIRES. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE GOING OVER A "ROCKY ROAD" BUT THIS IS CONSTANT & HAPPENS ON ALL ROAD SURFACES. THE VIBRATIONS CAN BE FELT UNDER THE PASSENGER AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THE CAR HAS HAD ALIGNMENTS. THE DEALER SAID THEY REPAIRED THE BENT RIMS, REPLACED THE TIRES. SINCE THEN, I HAVE MYSELF REPLACED THE RIMS, 2 SETS OF TIRES, ALIGNMENT, MULTIPLE BALANCING. I HAVE BEEN AT THE DEALER REPEATEDLY REQUESTING A RESOLUTION. THE RESPONSE IS " UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT". THIS IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. THE CAR NOW HAS 75K MILES. SURELY, THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PULL THE WHEEL OFF AND CHECK THE CONTROL ARMS, RACK & PINION, BUSHINGS, SOMETHING IS MAKING THIS CAR SHAKE AND GO THROUGH TIRES. I CANNOT AFFORD $1800 EVERY 6 MONTHS IN TIRES. NOT TO MENTION I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SHAKING AND VIBRATION SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE REPLACED THE RIMS AND TIRES. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? WAIT UNTIL I AM IN A DITCH? THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FROM GERMANY, THEN REPLACED WITH CONTINENTAL, I AM ON SECOND SET OF BRIDGESTONE POTENZAS RUN FLAT 19 INCH 245/40/19 ON FRONT, 275/30/19 ON BACK. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BMW RIMS THAT WERE ON THE CAR, I REPLACED WITH 19 INCH M5 RIMS. THE STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT HAS COME ON IN PAST BUT NO CODE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597406
Incident
May 20, 2012
Mileage
18,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 10, 2012

I WANTED TO ALERT PEOPLE TO THE FACT THAT USE OF PARKING LIGHTS WILL LEAD TO BATTERY FAILURE. BMW WILL REFUSE TO REPLACE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY IF PARKING LIGHTS WERE USED AND SO PEOPLE WILL STOP USING THEM LEADING TO SOME UNSAFE SITUATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487810
Incident
Nov 7, 2012
Mileage
25,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B340414

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

B012417

EQUIPMENT

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT: 6 SERIES (E64) CONVERTIBLE TOP FUNCTION AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES. INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES THE DCSNET CLAIM SUBMISSION INFORMATION.

B650709

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 650I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018001
2017111
2016001
2015311
2014601
2013160137.7
2012202151.8
2010500
2009Viewing400
2008600
2007221044.1
2006201147.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.