Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2009 BMW 328XI with NHTSA between 2015 and 2018.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the BMW 328XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29
5.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 BMW 328XI
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
527.8%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
422.2%
Median failure at 100,550 miles
Engine & Cooling
316.7%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Airbags
211.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
15.6%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
Lights
15.6%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2015peak 6May 2018
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesMatawan, NJ1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT JUST COMPLETE LOST POWER,I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY DID SOME TESTING. KEEP IN MIND I JUST GOT A NEW BATTERY THREE MONTHS AGO,HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF ANY POWER ,START UP ISSUES,. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR WITH A HIGHER STANDARD JUST DIES. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. ITS SEEMLY INTERESTING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW SHOULD BE ASHAMED WITH THEMSELVES NOT TO RECALL THIS ISSUE ,AT LEAST ADDRESS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE ISSUE..FUEL PUMP ISN'T SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO AT 100K.VERY DISAPPOINTED. THE CAR WILL NOT START,I CAN GET A CRANK BUT NOTHING MORE.
NHTSA complaint #11090003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bear, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER (UNION PARK BMW, 1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (866) 455-4444) CONFIRMED PART UNAVAILABILITY AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11092841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bear, DE
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER (UNION PARK BMW, 1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (866) 455-4444) CONFIRMED PART UNAVAILABILITY AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11092841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMatawan, NJ
POWER TRAIN
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
NHTSA complaint #11091990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMatawan, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
NHTSA complaint #11091990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMatawan, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
NHTSA complaint #11091990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMatawan, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2009 328 XI BMW WITH 120K FUEL PUMP JUST BREAKS. BMW REPLACED FOR FREE DUE TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND RECALL INFO,THIS SUCH BE A NATIONAL RECALL AS SOMEONES CAR CAN JUST STOP WHILE DRIVING,AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11091478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMatawan, NJ1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT JUST COMPLETE LOST POWER,I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY DID SOME TESTING. KEEP IN MIND I JUST GOT A NEW BATTERY THREE MONTHS AGO,HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF ANY POWER ,START UP ISSUES,. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR WITH A HIGHER STANDARD JUST DIES. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. ITS SEEMLY INTERESTING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW SHOULD BE ASHAMED WITH THEMSELVES NOT TO RECALL THIS ISSUE ,AT LEAST ADDRESS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE ISSUE..FUEL PUMP ISN'T SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO AT 100K.VERY DISAPPOINTED. THE CAR WILL NOT START,I CAN GET A CRANK BUT NOTHING MORE.
NHTSA complaint #11090003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sussex, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CONCOURS MOTORS IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11081823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sussex, WI
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CONCOURS MOTORS IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11081823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMatawan, NJ
POWER TRAIN
THERE IS A BLUE LEAK ON THE GROUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WAS FILLED UP AND WENT EMPTY WITH INT WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #11067360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMatawan, NJ
ENGINE
THERE IS A BLUE LEAK ON THE GROUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WAS FILLED UP AND WENT EMPTY WITH INT WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #11067360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. 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 CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER PATRICK BMW LOCATED AT 700 E GOLF RD SCHAUMBURG IL 60175, PHONE NUMBER: 847-843-4000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. (PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT).
NHTSA complaint #11016493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,100 milesCresskill, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING WEST DOWN ROUTE 66 IN VIRGINIA. CAR HAD STALLED 5 TIMES IN A 60 MILE TRIP STATING WITH A MESSAGE FUEL PUMP FAILURE CONTINUED DRIVING IS POSSIBLE. IT LEFT ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER A 5 MINUTE COOL DOWN PERIOD AND CONTINUED DRIVING IS THEN POSSIBLE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE 70K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10990475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10957407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesRaceland, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM GULF SHORES ALABAMA MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE POWER WENT OFF ON THE RADIO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND AN SOS BUTTON CAME ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND IT WAS TORRENTIAL RAINS AND TOTAL DARKNESS ON INTERSTATE 75. WHEN I COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER TO THE BRIM I GOOGLED THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING AND WAS GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND VISIBILITY ( WITH THE RAIN ) WAS IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL VARIOUS CODES CONTINUED TO POP UP AND THIS HAPPENED UNTIL WE ARRIVD AT OUR DESTINATION. IT WAS IF THE WHOLE COMPUTER BOARD HAD GONE HAYWIRE .EVERY CODE IMAGINABLE CAME ON AND WE HAD TO STOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR GOING. SINCE THEN MY BMW WILL NOT START UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CHARGED. IT SAYS BATTERY DISCHARGING OR BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SO I HAVE TO KEEP BATTERY CABLES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SO LAST NIGHT I'M HAVING THE AIRBAG CODE COME ON WHICH I DO HAVE A RECALL ON THAT, AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE VARIOUS CODES INVOLVED WHICH I WILL ATTACH.
NHTSA complaint #10853835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesRaceland, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM GULF SHORES ALABAMA MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE POWER WENT OFF ON THE RADIO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND AN SOS BUTTON CAME ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND IT WAS TORRENTIAL RAINS AND TOTAL DARKNESS ON INTERSTATE 75. WHEN I COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER TO THE BRIM I GOOGLED THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING AND WAS GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND VISIBILITY ( WITH THE RAIN ) WAS IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL VARIOUS CODES CONTINUED TO POP UP AND THIS HAPPENED UNTIL WE ARRIVD AT OUR DESTINATION. IT WAS IF THE WHOLE COMPUTER BOARD HAD GONE HAYWIRE .EVERY CODE IMAGINABLE CAME ON AND WE HAD TO STOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR GOING. SINCE THEN MY BMW WILL NOT START UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CHARGED. IT SAYS BATTERY DISCHARGING OR BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SO I HAVE TO KEEP BATTERY CABLES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SO LAST NIGHT I'M HAVING THE AIRBAG CODE COME ON WHICH I DO HAVE A RECALL ON THAT, AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE VARIOUS CODES INVOLVED WHICH I WILL ATTACH.
NHTSA complaint #10853835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesRaceland, KY
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM GULF SHORES ALABAMA MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE POWER WENT OFF ON THE RADIO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND AN SOS BUTTON CAME ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND IT WAS TORRENTIAL RAINS AND TOTAL DARKNESS ON INTERSTATE 75. WHEN I COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER TO THE BRIM I GOOGLED THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING AND WAS GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND VISIBILITY ( WITH THE RAIN ) WAS IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL VARIOUS CODES CONTINUED TO POP UP AND THIS HAPPENED UNTIL WE ARRIVD AT OUR DESTINATION. IT WAS IF THE WHOLE COMPUTER BOARD HAD GONE HAYWIRE .EVERY CODE IMAGINABLE CAME ON AND WE HAD TO STOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR GOING. SINCE THEN MY BMW WILL NOT START UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CHARGED. IT SAYS BATTERY DISCHARGING OR BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SO I HAVE TO KEEP BATTERY CABLES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SO LAST NIGHT I'M HAVING THE AIRBAG CODE COME ON WHICH I DO HAVE A RECALL ON THAT, AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE VARIOUS CODES INVOLVED WHICH I WILL ATTACH.
NHTSA complaint #10853835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,500 milesRockville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN (LIGHTS, IGNITION, LOCKS, DASHBOARD, GAUGES, RADIO). CAR COULD NOT BE OPERATED. LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE USING DASH MOUNTED BUTTON, DOOR PULLS OR KEY FOB. DRIVERS DOOR COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE USING VALET KEY. EMERGENCY LIGHTS INOPERABLE. PROBLEM OCCURRED 10/29, STARTED 2 HOURS LATER. FAILED AGAIN 10/30 AT 5PM. RESTARTED ON 10/31. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. CAR STARTED 11/3 AND FAILED 11/3. BATTERY CHECKED--FINE. IBS CHECKED--FINE. (THIS CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY LISTED AS PART OF THE ONGOING BMW BATTERY CABLE RECALLS, BUT SEEMS TO EXHIBIT EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS).
NHTSA complaint #10788185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.