NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 BMW 5 Series Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 BMW 5 Series has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 BMW 5 Series, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2009 BMW 5 Series owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 5 Series, describing incidents dated January 1, 2011 to October 1, 2016.

Most-cited components

  • Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
  • Electrical System 2 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints
  • Air Bags 1 complaint
  • Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
  • Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 8 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10917599 · Filed

    "TAKATA RECALL" BMW SENT ME A NOTICE OF RECALL: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016, HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW 10/20/2016, THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER CALL ME TO REPLACE THE FRONT AIR BAG. ANOTHER PROBLEM: I SMELL GAS COMING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK WHEN PARKING IN THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, I CAN NOT FIND ANY…

  • ODI #10913718 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 5 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S POWER SEIZED AND THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

  • ODI #10840376 · Filed

    ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLING AND JERKING VIOLENTLY AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS FROM DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. I WENT TO BMW IN OCTOBER 2015 I WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS I WAS TOLD NO RECALL ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. IN MARCH 2016 THE CAR…

Read all 8 complaints

PCV Heater May Short Circuit

NHTSA #22V119000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice

Reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 917,106 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 22, 2022

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Manufacturer remedy

This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Engine Cooling Fan Assemblies/Service Parts

NHTSA #12E029000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported August 10, 2012 · Valeo

Potentially affected: 585 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 22, 2012

Defect description

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 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Safety consequence

This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Manufacturer remedy

Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BATTERY CABLE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR

NHTSA #12V126000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported March 26, 2012 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 367,682 vehicles

Owners notified April 30, 2012 · Vehicles built June 1, 2003 – December 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BRAKE VACUUM PUMP

NHTSA #10V446000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2010 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 198,352 vehicles

Owners notified November 24, 2010

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Safety consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Other BMW 5 Series model years

Check your 2009 BMW 5 Series VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 5 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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