Most common 2009 BMW 135i problems
Share of the 29 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 135i complaints by model year
Best 135i years: 2013, 2010. Years to avoid: 2008. Compare all years →
2009 BMW 135i recalls (4)
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.
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 135i:
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 135i owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
At 8,532 miles my BMW 135i had a high pressure fuel pump failure that caused my car to decelerate below the speed of traffic. At 24,384 miles the car illuminated a engine caution for over temperature. The only gauge available was for oil temperature which did not indicate hot. There was not a shoulder to pull over for 3 miles.
I own a 2009 BMW 135i with the n54 twin turbo engine. One day I was driving down the interstate at 70mph when suddenly the car lost all power and suddenly decelerated. A warning lamp on the dash came on indicating the car was only operating at half engine power. The car was running very roughly and shook and shuddered violently when I pressed on the accelerator....I was unable to maintain a vehicle speed above 50mph. I finally had to pull off the road and let traffic pass. When I put the car in park it was still shaking and heaving. I reported this immediately to the BMW service department where I purchased my vehicle. While I was told it was due to the high pressure fuel pump, I was told that BMW was unable to offer any resolution at this time. Since then, this has happened three times, each time in heavy rush hour traffic. …
Engine & cooling
At 8,532 miles my BMW 135i had a high pressure fuel pump failure that caused my car to decelerate below the speed of traffic. At 24,384 miles the car illuminated a engine caution for over temperature. The only gauge available was for oil temperature which did not indicate hot. There was not a shoulder to pull over for 3 miles.
I have a well maintained 2009 BMW 135i with 65000 miles. Yesterday, 1/21/15, while traveling at 75mph in 6th gear in the left lane of ga400, the car abruptly and without any warning overheated and lost all power. The car had been driving 100% normal, oil temps were normal, and had been in for a recent oil change and inspection two weeks prior with no significant findings. Fortunately, I was able to coast across cross 4 lanes of high speed traffic to make it to the shoulder. When I called two different BMW service centers from the side of the road, they said they could not see the car until February 3rd (two weeks) and were backed up on loaners and rentals as well. I called braxton automotive ([phone]), an experienced repair shop, and they, from my brief over-the-phone description, instantly identified the issue as a water pump failure, a very common problem in this n54 engine. …
Electrical system
Wiring inside headlight assembly has insufficiently insulated wiring. The wire insulation is flaking off due to heat exposure from normal operating conditions. This is a safety problem. Fire potential. Lights could stop working while driving at night.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW 135i. The contact stated that upon taking his vehicle for service at otto's BMW (1275 wilmington pike, west chester, pa 193820) he was informed that the roll over control module was defective. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair which he declined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000. I took my car to otto's BMW for a state inspection, not for any other service, and otto's did not inform me that the roc module had failed. I found out the module had failed by using my code reader. When I tried to start my car to take it for the state inspection, I found the battery had died. When I replaced the battery, I found that the roc module had failed just because my car battery died. …
2009 BMW 135i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW 135i a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 135i rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the 135i at the same age. 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 135i?
The fuel & propulsion system — 16 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the engine & cooling (5) and electrical system (4).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 135i have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2009 BMW 135i, the most recent from January 15, 2020 (inflator module). 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 135i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008. See the full BMW 135i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 135i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 9,000 miles; 76% 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.