BMW 1 SERIES · model year

2009 BMW 1 SERIES

23 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009BMW1 SERIES carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 1 SERIES is air bags with 7 filings, followed by exterior lighting (5) and electrical system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2009 1 SERIES. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
SEATS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
ENGINE1
SEAT BELTS1

Recalls (2)

12E02900010/08/2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-20

10V25400010/06/2010

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.

Recent Complaints

20190522ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 1 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER, BUT NO AIR FLOWED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRONIC BURNING ODOR AND TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF BAYSIDE (LOCATED AT 266 E SHORE RD, GREAT NECK, NY 11023, (516) 304-3700) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,657.

Mileage: 108,657

20180210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY ALL LIGHT CONTROLS LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD AFTER I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE, THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON SLOWLY WITHOUT MYSELF OPERATING THEM , AS MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP/ENGINE OFF. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAITING 10 MINS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. RECENTLY REPAIRED PVC RECALL AND UNCERTAIN IF PCV WAS DETRIMENTAL TO OTHER COMPONENTS THAT WERE NOT REPLACED DUE TO THE PCV. BATTERY READ AS GOOD PER MECHANIC.

Mileage: 122,000

20170518AIR BAGS

FOR LAST 16 MONTHS BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS NOT FIX THE PROBLEM ON EXPENSE OF MY OWN SAFETY. WHEN VISITED BMW DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THAT BMW HAS NO SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM YET. I AM DRIVING EVERY DAY THIS CAR COMPROMISING MY OWN SAFETY. WHEN I WANT TO SELL THIS CAR I CAN'T GET FAIR VALUE PRICE DUE TO THE RECALL PROBLEM. POTENTIAL BUYER CHECK CAR SAFETY RECALL AND DO NOT BUY CAR WHICH IS LISTED AS A UNSAFE. BMW IGNORE ALL PROBLEMS.

20161228AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPEN JUST WANT MY AIRBAGS REPLACED BEEN WAITING A LONG, LONG TIME AND I HAVEN'T HEARD A THING ON RECALL REPAIRS

20161216EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RIGHT REAR ROADSIDE PARKING AND TAIL LAMP LED FAILED. THESE LAMPS SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN THIS TIME FRAME. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE UNTIL I WAS WAMING UP CAR AND CLEANING OFF SNOW WHEN I SAW THE DIFFERENCE.

Mileage: 44,000

20161213AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: MY DRIVER AIR BAG HAVE YET TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS FROM FEBRUARY 5, 2016. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR OUTSIDE OF MY TOWN FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SIN!!! IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR. I AM EVEN WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IN TOWN BUT TRUSTING MY LORD AND SAVIOR FOR MY LIFE SAFETY. TAKATA NEEDS TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR ALL OF US. *TR

20160909AIR BAGS

WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE AIRBAGS RECALL OVER THREE MONTHS AGO, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER, REEVES BMW, THAT THE PROMISE PARTS WERE TO BE RECEIVED BY END OF SUMMER, ARE NOT YET RECEIVED AND THEY CANNOT REPAIR VEHICLE.

20160909SEAT BELTS

WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE AIRBAGS RECALL OVER THREE MONTHS AGO, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER, REEVES BMW, THAT THE PROMISE PARTS WERE TO BE RECEIVED BY END OF SUMMER, ARE NOT YET RECEIVED AND THEY CANNOT REPAIR VEHICLE.

20160904AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL WE WERE ADVISED BY LETTER IN FEBRUARY 2016 THAT OUR MODEL HAD A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG, AND THAT WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN A SOLUTION WAS AVAILABLE. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER AND STILL NO NOTICE FROM BMW. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT OLDER MODEL CARS AND CARS IN DAMP HUMID CLIMATES (WE LIVE IN FLORIDA) WOULD RECEIVE FIRST PRIORITY, SHOULDN'T WE HAVE HEARD BACK FROM BMW BY NOW?

20160622EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE A 2009 528I . WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD MY HEADLIGHTS WHEN ON LOWBEAMS GO OUT . THE BRIGHTS WORK BUT NOT THE LOWBEAMS THE CAR CONTROL SAYS LOWBEAM MALFUNCTION . FIRST IT WAS THE LEFT LIGHT AND THEN THE RIGHTFRONT. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR LONG AND ITS A WONDERFUL CAR. BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE AND NEED TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS FOR THIS OR WHAT CAN BE DONE.

20160607AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 123-I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20151012ENGINE

I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A ELECTRICAL RECALL. DEALER DID A RECOMMENDED SERVICE CHECK. LISTED 3 MAJOR ISSUES THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH A CAR THAT HAS 61,452. 1. REPLACE OIL PAN GASKET 2. REPLACE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKETS 3. REPLACE VALVE COVER GASKET. ALL OF THESE ISSUES DUE TO OIL LEAKS. HOW IS IT THAT A CAR BUILT TO LAST CAN HAVE MAJOR FLAWS LIKE THIS. THIS CAR IS NOT DRIVEN ON A RACETRACK NOR DRIVEN IN EXTREME CLIMATES FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE COST TO REPLACE THESE IS OVER 2700 PLUS TAX. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO MANY BMW OWNERS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL.

20150921ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR UP TO 100,000.I KEPT EXPERIENCING THE CAR VIBRATING AS WELL AS THE LOW OIL LIGHT APPEARING WITHIN WEEKS OF SERVICING THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY . IN JULY APRROX AT 106,000 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED WAS TAKEN ONLY TO BMW FOR SOLVE THE ISSUE HAVE PAID OVER $3800.00 FOR REPAIR AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. WAS TAKEN ON FRIDAY SEPT 18 AND ON SUNDAY SEPT 20 THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE WITH 2 MONTHS THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT. THE CAR APPARENTLY HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND IS UNSAFE.

20150921ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR UP TO 100,000.I KEPT EXPERIENCING THE CAR VIBRATING AS WELL AS THE LOW OIL LIGHT APPEARING WITHIN WEEKS OF SERVICING THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY . IN JULY APRROX AT 106,000 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED WAS TAKEN ONLY TO BMW FOR SOLVE THE ISSUE HAVE PAID OVER $3800.00 FOR REPAIR AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. WAS TAKEN ON FRIDAY SEPT 18 AND ON SUNDAY SEPT 20 THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE WITH 2 MONTHS THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT. THE CAR APPARENTLY HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND IS UNSAFE.

20150213AIR BAGS

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 1-SERIES CONVERTIBLE FROM A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER. WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT THROUGH THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY WIFE NOTICED THE AIR BAG ICON ON THE DASHBOARD WAS LIT AND A AIR BAG "OFF " LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR STAYED ON. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY DID HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT TO DO SO.THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE TAKE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT HAD THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST IT. AFTER THE REPAIR SHOP TESTED THE SYSTEM IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER'S WARRANTY COMPANY WAS THEN CONTACTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP TO NOTIFIED THEM ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $1,800.00. WE WERE THEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. WE THEN RE-CONTACTED THE DEALER TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REFUSE

Mileage: 46,100

20150213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 1-SERIES CONVERTIBLE FROM A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER. WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT THROUGH THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY WIFE NOTICED THE AIR BAG ICON ON THE DASHBOARD WAS LIT AND A AIR BAG "OFF " LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR STAYED ON. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY DID HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT TO DO SO.THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE TAKE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT HAD THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST IT. AFTER THE REPAIR SHOP TESTED THE SYSTEM IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER'S WARRANTY COMPANY WAS THEN CONTACTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP TO NOTIFIED THEM ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $1,800.00. WE WERE THEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. WE THEN RE-CONTACTED THE DEALER TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REFUSE

Mileage: 46,100

20150213SEATS

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 1-SERIES CONVERTIBLE FROM A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER. WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT THROUGH THE DEALER. A FEW WEEKS LATER, MY WIFE NOTICED THE AIR BAG ICON ON THE DASHBOARD WAS LIT AND A AIR BAG "OFF " LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR STAYED ON. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY DID HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT TO DO SO.THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE TAKE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT HAD THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST IT. AFTER THE REPAIR SHOP TESTED THE SYSTEM IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER'S WARRANTY COMPANY WAS THEN CONTACTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP TO NOTIFIED THEM ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $1,800.00. WE WERE THEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. WE THEN RE-CONTACTED THE DEALER TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY REFUSE

Mileage: 46,100

20140828WHEELS

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED I PASSED OVER THE TRANSITIONED BETWEEN A MILLED ROAD SURFACE TO EXISTING PAVEMENT. ON DAY ONE I NOTICE A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HANGING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT) RIM BUT THE TIRE WAS HOLDING AIR. ON DAY TWO THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW. THE DRIVING SURFACE APPEARED NORMAL. DAMAGE WAS NOT VISIBLE TO THE RIGHT TIRE HOWEVER PASSPORT BMW TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE HAD A RIP AROUND THE RIM. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE RUN FLAT MODEL 215/40R18 85Y. THE TIRES HAD APPROXIMATELY 85 % OF IT'S TREAD AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 15,000 MILE =/-. I DO NOT THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER STANDARD / NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

20140828TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED I PASSED OVER THE TRANSITIONED BETWEEN A MILLED ROAD SURFACE TO EXISTING PAVEMENT. ON DAY ONE I NOTICE A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HANGING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT) RIM BUT THE TIRE WAS HOLDING AIR. ON DAY TWO THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW. THE DRIVING SURFACE APPEARED NORMAL. DAMAGE WAS NOT VISIBLE TO THE RIGHT TIRE HOWEVER PASSPORT BMW TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE HAD A RIP AROUND THE RIM. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE RUN FLAT MODEL 215/40R18 85Y. THE TIRES HAD APPROXIMATELY 85 % OF IT'S TREAD AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 15,000 MILE =/-. I DO NOT THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER STANDARD / NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

20120712EXTERIOR LIGHTING

REAR RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. THEY DECLINED TO FIX THE PART UNDER WARRANTY. CLASSIC BMW IN PLANO,TX. *TR

Mileage: 27,635

Compare 2009BMW1 SERIES to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES have?
The 2009 BMW 1 SERIES has 23 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES?
Yes, the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES?
The most-complained component for the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES is AIR BAGS with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.