Total Complaints
34 filings
BMW 135I · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009BMW135I carries 34 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 135I is fuel system, gasoline with 12 filings, followed by electrical system (4) and air bags (3). 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 4 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 135I. 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.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,
glass sun roof exploded spontaneously while driving at freeway speeds.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING HIS VEHICLE FOR SERVICE AT OTTO'S BMW (1275 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER, PA 193820) HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROLL OVER CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WHICH HE DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. I TOOK MY CAR TO OTTO'S BMW FOR A STATE INSPECTION, NOT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, AND OTTO'S DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THE ROC MODULE HAD FAILED. I FOUND OUT THE MODULE HAD FAILED BY USING MY CODE READER. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR TO TAKE IT FOR THE STATE INSPECTION, I FOUND THE BATTERY HAD DIED. WHEN I REPLACED THE BATTERY, I FOUND THAT THE ROC MODULE HAD FAILED JUST BECAUSE MY CAR BATTERY DIED. THE ROC MODULE IS A MAJOR SAFETY MODULE, THAT EXTENDS THE HEAD PROTECTION IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. THIS MODULE SHOULDN'T FAIL SIMPLY BE
Mileage: 57,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING HIS VEHICLE FOR SERVICE AT OTTO'S BMW (1275 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER, PA 193820) HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROLL OVER CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR WHICH HE DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. I TOOK MY CAR TO OTTO'S BMW FOR A STATE INSPECTION, NOT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, AND OTTO'S DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THE ROC MODULE HAD FAILED. I FOUND OUT THE MODULE HAD FAILED BY USING MY CODE READER. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR TO TAKE IT FOR THE STATE INSPECTION, I FOUND THE BATTERY HAD DIED. WHEN I REPLACED THE BATTERY, I FOUND THAT THE ROC MODULE HAD FAILED JUST BECAUSE MY CAR BATTERY DIED. THE ROC MODULE IS A MAJOR SAFETY MODULE, THAT EXTENDS THE HEAD PROTECTION IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. THIS MODULE SHOULDN'T FAIL SIMPLY BE
Mileage: 57,000
TAIL LIGHTS BURN OUT AND REQUIRE ENTIRE HOUSING TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF JUST BULBS. LED'S BURN OUT VERY QUICKLY, CONTRARY TO TYPICAL LED'S AND ARE COSTLY TO REPLACE
Mileage: 80,000
TAIL LIGHTS BURN OUT AND REQUIRE ENTIRE HOUSING TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF JUST BULBS. LED'S BURN OUT VERY QUICKLY, CONTRARY TO TYPICAL LED'S AND ARE COSTLY TO REPLACE
Mileage: 80,000
TAIL LIGHTS BURN OUT AND REQUIRE ENTIRE HOUSING TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD OF JUST BULBS. LED'S BURN OUT VERY QUICKLY, CONTRARY TO TYPICAL LED'S AND ARE COSTLY TO REPLACE
Mileage: 80,000
THE WIRING OF MY 2009 BMW HEADLIGHTS, BOTH SIDES, HAS ITS INSULATION DISINTEGRATE, EXPOSING BARE COPPER WIRE (AS IT IS MADE OF BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL) TO THE POINT WHERE MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE SHORTED OUT AND THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT CONTROL ON THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT IS STUCK AT AN ANGLE THAT IS TOO HIGH. AS THESE ARE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS, A SHORT HERE CAN RENDER THE CAR'S HEADLIGHT IN A BLINDING STATE. LOCAL SHOPS WANT TO CHARGE $900+ PER LIGHT HOUSING TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY.
Mileage: 142,000
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS BAD IN CAR. THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE ON HIGHWAY WHEN PASSING CAR LEAVING YOU NO POWER TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF CAR GOING 75 MPH. BMW KNOWS IT BAD BUT WILL NOT HELP!
Mileage: 93,000
WIRING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS INSUFFICIENTLY INSULATED WIRING. THE WIRE INSULATION IS FLAKING OFF DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. FIRE POTENTIAL. LIGHTS COULD STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Mileage: 70,000
WIRING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS INSUFFICIENTLY INSULATED WIRING. THE WIRE INSULATION IS FLAKING OFF DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE FROM NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. FIRE POTENTIAL. LIGHTS COULD STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
Mileage: 70,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 135I CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (SUN MOTOR CARS, INC. 6677 CARLISLE PIKE, MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050 (717) 691-3333) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED WITH THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS IN PRIORITY GROUP 5 AND PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE SEPTEMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THERE IS A RECALL AND IT IS INCOMPLETE DUE TO IT NOT BEING REPLACED IN A TIMELY MANNER NO INCIDENT AS OF NOW BUT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ UPDATED 07/14/16. *JB
AT 8,532 MILES MY BMW 135I HAD A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO DECELERATE BELOW THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. AT 24,384 MILES THE CAR ILLUMINATED A ENGINE CAUTION FOR OVER TEMPERATURE. THE ONLY GAUGE AVAILABLE WAS FOR OIL TEMPERATURE WHICH DID NOT INDICATE HOT. THERE WAS NOT A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER FOR 3 MILES. *TR
Mileage: 8,500
AT 8,532 MILES MY BMW 135I HAD A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO DECELERATE BELOW THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC. AT 24,384 MILES THE CAR ILLUMINATED A ENGINE CAUTION FOR OVER TEMPERATURE. THE ONLY GAUGE AVAILABLE WAS FOR OIL TEMPERATURE WHICH DID NOT INDICATE HOT. THERE WAS NOT A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER FOR 3 MILES. *TR
Mileage: 8,500
I HAVE A WELL MAINTAINED 2009 BMW 135I WITH 65000 MILES. YESTERDAY, 1/21/15, WHILE TRAVELING AT 75MPH IN 6TH GEAR IN THE LEFT LANE OF GA400, THE CAR ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING OVERHEATED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVING 100% NORMAL, OIL TEMPS WERE NORMAL, AND HAD BEEN IN FOR A RECENT OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION TWO WEEKS PRIOR WITH NO SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS CROSS 4 LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN I CALLED TWO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTERS FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE THE CAR UNTIL FEBRUARY 3RD (TWO WEEKS) AND WERE BACKED UP ON LOANERS AND RENTALS AS WELL. I CALLED BRAXTON AUTOMOTIVE ((404) 367-4767), AN EXPERIENCED REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY, FROM MY BRIEF OVER-THE-PHONE DESCRIPTION, INSTANTLY IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE AS A WATER PUMP FAILURE, A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS N54 ENGINE. WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE CAR, THEY CONFIRMED A CATASTROPHIC WATER PUMP FAILURE AND A CONSEQUENTLY CRACK
Mileage: 65,000
I OWN A 2009 BMW 135I WITH THE N54 TWIN TURBO ENGINE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND SUDDENLY DECELERATED. A WARNING LAMP ON THE DASH CAME ON INDICATING THE CAR WAS ONLY OPERATING AT HALF ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY AND SHOOK AND SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR....I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A VEHICLE SPEED ABOVE 50MPH. I FINALLY HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND LET TRAFFIC PASS. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT WAS STILL SHAKING AND HEAVING. I REPORTED THIS IMMEDIATELY TO THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, I WAS TOLD THAT BMW WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. SINCE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, EACH TIME IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I FEEL THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IS LIKELY GOING TO RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND YET SEEMS TO BE UNABLE TO SOLVE
Mileage: 11,100
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND A NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING CERTAIN BMWS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND REPROGRAMMING THE VEHICLE IF A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500.
Mileage: 2,500
2009 BMW 135I HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS HAS BEEN A BAD PROBLEM WITH 3 MODEL YEARS (2008, 2009, AND 2010) OF BMW 135I CARS. LUCKILY MY CAR WAS FIXED DUE TO LONG START CRANKS BEFORE THE COMMON SYMPTOM OF ENGINE DYING DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
Mileage: 9,000
MY 2009 BMW 135I BEGAN EXPERIENCING "LONG CRANKS" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE COLD. WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTENSE VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING. FOLLOWING THE VIBRATION, THE CAR EXPERIENCED LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM WITH BMW'S HPFP. THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED THE CARS SOFTWARE AND REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Mileage: 15,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.