Total Complaints
54 filings
BMW M3 · model year
54 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009BMWM3 carries 54 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 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 M3 is power train:automatic transmission with 20 filings, followed by air bags (8) and electrical system (5). 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 5 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 M3. 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
54 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 20 |
| AIR BAGS | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and ai
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
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,
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.
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,
The contact owns a 2009 BMW M3. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driverâs and passengerâs side turn signal failed to illuminate. Additionally, the headlights and dashboard lights would flicker on and off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the electrical wiring insulation was frayed and damaged. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Mileage: 84,000
The contact owns a 2009 BMW M3. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driverâs and passengerâs side turn signal failed to illuminate. Additionally, the headlights and dashboard lights would flicker on and off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the electrical wiring insulation was frayed and damaged. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Mileage: 84,000
I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW TO REPLACE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE AT THAT TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM SINCE TO ARRANGE REPLACEMENT AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.
Mileage: 45,000
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING 2 YEARS TO HAVE THIS RECALL DONE. I WAS ONCE SCHEDULED TO GET THE SERVICE AND THEN AFTER I DROPPED OFF THE CAR THEY CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT THEY DIDNT HAVE THE PART IN.
TAKATA RECALL DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ON THE LOCAL STREET AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LIGHT TURNS GREEN, I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE FELT SLUGGISH AND SHUTS OFF. TOWED THE CAR TO MRF ENGINEERING AND CAR NEEDED AN "ENGINE REPLACEMENT" AS MY ROD BEARINGS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. COSTED ROUGHLY AROUND $19,000 IN PARTS AND LABOR.
Mileage: 67,000
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE DEAD DESPITE A GOOD BATTERY. WAS SOLVED BY REMOVING GLOVE BOX AND FUS BOX AND PUSHING ON THE BATTERY CABLE THAT GOES INTO THE FUSE BOX TO GET A CONNECTION. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FOR BMW AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON OTHER 3-SERIES VEHICLES (2007 - 2011) WITH THE SAME PART NUMBERS, BUT WILL NOT COVER M3. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS LOSS OF POWER TO FUSE BOX WHILE DRIVING CAN SHUT DOWN THE CAR.
Mileage: 58,500
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER ONE YEAR FOR MY RECALL TO BE PERFORMED BY MY LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER. I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING IT WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN MAY OF 2016 (LETTER WAS DATED MARCH OF 2016). I DRIVE MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS AND RUN THE RISK OF INJURY DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WILL NOT ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS TO DRIVE MY DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND NOW WORRIED I HAVE TO SELL MY CAR. IF I SELL MY CAR I SHALL DIVULGE THAT THERE IS A RECALL BY BMW AND THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYLONGER.
TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED NOTICE OF MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR BUT THE BMW STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PART. THIS CAR IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND I DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY TO HAVE A SECOND CAR. I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT IS PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK. BMW STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH, YET THEY HAVE PLENTY TO SELL MILLIONS OF NEW CARS. I FIND THIS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! MY WIFE'S TOYOTA WAS ALSO RECALLED AND IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS TO GET REPLACED, BUT NOT BMW. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST A CHANGE TO RECALLS WHERE MANUFACTURES WOULD HAVE TO STOP OR REDUCE THE PRODUCTION NUMBERS OF NEW CARS FOR UNTIL ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN SATISFIED FOR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS RECALLS. MAYBE THEN WE CAN HAVE MANUFACTURES TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY.
TAKATA RECALL HASN'T HAPPENED. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. I GUESS IF YOU WAIT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO COMPLAIN AFTER IT KILLS US IN AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 65,000
THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00 THE PART ALONE IS $1200.00 WHICH I WAS QUOTED. MY VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL.
Mileage: 44,300
THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00 THE PART ALONE IS $1200.00 WHICH I WAS QUOTED. MY VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL.
Mileage: 44,300
THE CAR SUDDENLY VIBRATED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED SLIGHTLY SIDEWAYS BEFORE GOING INTO A REDUCED POWER MODE. IF IT HAD BEEN RAINING OR SNOWING, OR AT A HIGHER SPEED ON HIGHWAY THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD A THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 44K MILES BUT HAS SURPASSED THE 4 YEARS OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THOUSANDS OF CARS AFFECTED. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE ITEM IF THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR IS $3000.00 THE PART ALONE IS $1200.00 WHICH I WAS QUOTED. MY VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL.
Mileage: 44,300
TAKATA RECALL HELLO MADAM/ SIR, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - 16V-071 REGARDING FAULTY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY 2009 BMW M3. THE NOTICE (ATTACHED) CLEARLY STATES THAT IN AN EVENT OF AIRBAG GETTING DEPLOYED, THE AIRBAG MIGHT EXPLODE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.BMW SAYS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION OF WHEN NEW PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL ISSUE OF SOMETHING HAPPENING, I HAVE BEEN RENTING A CAR FOR A WHILE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED BMW AND HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL SO FAR TO RECEIVE ANY HELP. BMW TOLD ME THAT BMW DEALERSHIP OF ANN ARBOR WILL CONTACT ME FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND THEN BMW OF ANN ARBOR TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTING THIS RECALL. I HAVE JUST BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH BMW AND THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WHEN THE RECALL CLEARLY STATES THAT EXPLOSION OF AIRBAG MIGHT EVEN CAUSE DEATH? I CAN'T JUST AFFORD TO CONTINUE RENTING A CAR. ANY HELP FROM NHTSA WOULD BE GREATLY
Mileage: 47,500
TAKATA RECALL, REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. BMW HAS NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH THIS DEFECT.
ERROR MESSAGE: FAULT IN - PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS IS CAUSED BY FAULT SEAT MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
ERROR MESSAGE: FAULT IN - PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. THIS IS CAUSED BY FAULT SEAT MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATOR DESIGN DEFECT SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED A BMW RECALL. REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE $1000-1300 EACH PLUS $1000 LABOR AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REDESIGNED BY BMW/BOSCH. SO THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND WILL FAIL PREMATURELY. REPAIRS OCCURRED ON DEC. 2012 AT 80K MILES FOR $2000 AND ON JAN. 2016 AT 140K MILES FOR $3000. A BMW M3 AND M5 RECALL AND REDESIGNED PARTS ARE WARRANTED. BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS SHOULD B
Mileage: 140,000
S65 V8 ENGINE IN A BMW M3 E90/92/93 AND M5'S WITH A V10 HAS TWO THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATORS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY AT 40-80K MILES. BOTH THE INTERNAL NYLON GEARS AND ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL, AFFECTING ACCELERATOR PEDAL RESPONSE AND CAUSING HESITATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DCT TRANSMISSION. THESE PARTS ARE NOT A MAINTENANCE ITEM. WHEN FAILED, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION, EXCESS EMISSIONS, SKID CONTROL, AND ABS BRAKING WARNING LIGHTS ARE TRIGGERED. ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY, SNOWY, AND ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATOR DESIGN DEFECT SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED A BMW RECALL. REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE $1000-1300 EACH PLUS $1000 LABOR AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REDESIGNED BY BMW/BOSCH. SO THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND WILL FAIL PREMATURELY. REPAIRS OCCURRED ON DEC. 2012 AT 80K MILES FOR $2000 AND ON JAN. 2016 AT 140K MILES FOR $3000. A BMW M3 AND M5 RECALL AND REDESIGNED PARTS ARE WARRANTED. BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS SHOULD B
Mileage: 140,000
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE TAKING A TURN. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND DRIVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I DROVE AROUND SLOWLY TO TEST AND NOTICED KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE NORMAL, NOT QUITE TO THE NEXT MARKER, BUT CLOSE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BMW SERVICE SHOP. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS ROD BEARING FAILURE WHICH LED TO CRANKSHAFT DAMAGE, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE, WITH ONLY 57K MI, THAT IS NO LONGER REUSABLE. I AM NOW FACING ENGINE REPLACEMENT COSTS OF $15-25K.
Mileage: 56,729
WHILE TRYING TO EXIT MY E92 2009 M3 FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE BY DOUBLE PULLING THE HANDLE IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE CAR. THE LOCKING BOLT STICKS UP PARTIALLY WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE BUT DOESN'T UNLOCK. I HAD TO HIT THE LOCK BUTTON FROM THE DASHBOARD TO UNLOCK THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN IF YOU ARE PANICKED AND CAN'T GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE UNDER HEAVY STRESS. *TR
Mileage: 36,800
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.