Most common 2009 BMW 128i problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 128i complaints by model year
Best 128i years: 2008, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2013, 2011, 2012. Compare all years →
2009 BMW 128i recalls (6)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
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…
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…
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, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
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, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
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; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 BMW 128i:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2009 BMW 128i owners say
Air bags
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling) months ago. The dealer (BMW of fort walton beach, 1000 n. Beal parkway, fort walton beach, fl 32547, [phone]) was unable to determine when the part would be supplied from the manufacturer. The contact experienced several failures that progressed while waiting to receive the recall remedy, such as an abnormal burning odor. The air bag warning indicator illuminated after the dealer completed an air bag recall repair and the dealer was servicing the computer to determine if a sensor or the computer needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I recently had to purchase a new passenger airbag on my 2009 BMW 1 series, since the entire passenger airbag system malfunctioned. I understand that there are certain BMW vehicles which had a recall due to malfunctioning passenger airbags. When I took my vehicle to the dealership, the persons at the dealership mentioned that the 2009 1 series has not been affected by the passenger airbag recall.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. The contact stated the vehicle overheated. There was a hole in the radiator. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the radiator needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Lights
First we had the adaptive headlight error code, we also had frequent blown bulbs. After pulling the complete unit out from the car noticed that all the wiring insulation is crumbling and falling off the wiring loom. Multiple wire were bonded together causing heat and short circuits.
Driver side LED tail lights have gone out. The runing lights have three bars that have gone out and have got no help from local dealership in fixing them. There are news areticles of the recall affecting all model year but none show up for my car even though it's the exact same problem.
2009 BMW 128i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 28 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW 128i a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 128i rates better than average: 42% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 128i at the same age. It is one of the best 128i years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 BMW 128i?
The air bags — 10 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sensor › occupant classification. Next are the engine & cooling (8) and lights (5).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 128i have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2009 BMW 128i, the most recent from March 2, 2022 (crankcase (pcv)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 128i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2011 and 2012. See the full BMW 128i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 128i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.