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2009 BMW 5 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

4 reports
59,500 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,50…

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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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT UPDATED 01/23/17.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10913718

83,000 miles · May 3, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE STALL IS RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NOT PROPERLY WORKING AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE A 2009 BMW 528I. IN APRIL 2014 BMW DID A RECALL RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT FOR 2010 - 2014 528 BMW'S. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE NATIONAL BMW DEALER TO L…

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THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE STALL IS RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NOT PROPERLY WORKING AND THE FUEL SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE A 2009 BMW 528I. IN APRIL 2014 BMW DID A RECALL RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT FOR 2010 - 2014 528 BMW'S. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE NATIONAL BMW DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 AND TO SEE IF THEY WERE GOING TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2009 MODELS. THEY TOLD ME NO AT THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING EXPANDING THE RECALL. I ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT I HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT COULD BE RELATED TO THE CAMSHAFT. THE CAR'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS LEAKING.THE GAS WAS NOT PROPERLY GOING TO THE ENGINE AND IT WAS FLOWING BACK INTO THE CAR AND THE EXHAUST. YOU COULD SMELL GAS IN THE CAR AND SEE PUDDLES OF GAS WHEN THEY LIFTED THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I WAS DRIVING A BOMB. I PAID $450 TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED. BMW NEEDS TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2009 CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586316

28,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Electrical System

CURRENTLY HAVE A 2009 BMW 550I. VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ONGOING AND UNIDENTIFIABLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OFTEN AND WITHOUT INITIAL NOTICE "LOOSE POWER" AND GO INTO A "SAFETY MODE" OPERATING AT A REDUCED POWER BY NOT GOING ABOVE 30MPH AND/OR 3000RPM'S. VEHICLE WITH OFTEN START "BOGGING" AND "SHUTTERING(SHAKING)" AN…

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CURRENTLY HAVE A 2009 BMW 550I. VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ONGOING AND UNIDENTIFIABLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OFTEN AND WITHOUT INITIAL NOTICE "LOOSE POWER" AND GO INTO A "SAFETY MODE" OPERATING AT A REDUCED POWER BY NOT GOING ABOVE 30MPH AND/OR 3000RPM'S. VEHICLE WITH OFTEN START "BOGGING" AND "SHUTTERING(SHAKING)" AND WILL OFTEN ATTEMPT TO "SURGE" FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC OFTEN TRYING TO CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE INFRONT. THE DRIVER OF THE BMW OFTEN HAS TO "STAND" ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE SURGES FROM ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SHOT FORWARD AT STOPS. ISSUES STARTED IN JANUARY OF 2011, TOOK IT TO FAIRFAX BMW WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY. NO FIX WAS PROVIDED IN THE SHOP FOR 3 DAYS. ISSUES PERSISTED THROUGH JANUARY AND TOOK IT TO BMW OF ALEXANDRIA WHERE THEY REPLACED A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID AND A INTAKE SENSOR, IN THE SHOP FOR ROUGHLY 7 DAYS. ELECTRICAL ISSUE REAPPEARED IN MARCH IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 7 DAYS AND HAD THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. VEHICLE ISSUE RESURFACED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER AND A ENGINEER FROM NJ CAME DOWN AND DETERMINED A FAULTY OIL SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OFTEN ?THINK? IT WAS OUT OF OIL VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 7 DAYS. VEHICLE POTENTIALLY WAS FLOODED WITH OIL FROM SERVICE TECH'S ADDING MORE OIL EACH TIME THE VEHICLE "THOUGHT" IT WAS OUT OF OIL. VEHICLE AS OF 5-21-2011 SUFFERED AGAIN FROM THE SAME ISSUE AND WAS DROPPED BACK OFF AT BMW OF ALEXANDRIA WITH VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT IDENTIFYING ?ENGINE MALFUNCTION?. SENT SEVERAL EMAILS TO BMW CORPORATE WITH LITTLE RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402394

15,200 miles · Jan 6, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 528. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND IT MOVED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE TECHNICIAN COULD…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 528. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND IT MOVED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,200.

NHTSA ODI #10374916

Official recalls

3

22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Mar 2, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

12V126000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Mar 26, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

10V446000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Oct 1, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.