Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 BMW 335i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V017000 (AIR BAGS); however, shortly after the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,000.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was unknown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
2009 BMW 3 Series with factory optioned Sport Steering wheel has no recalls, but still has a 2017 production Takata PSDI-5 airbag with the yellow sticker. This airbag was replaced during the interim period, before the revised design was released. It was manufactured in 2017, but used the same design as the original. This airbag is now 9 years old, and I fear it has the same shrapnel risk as the original unit replaced in 2017. East Bay BMW did not take my concern seriously when I made an appointment, citing the fact that there were no recalls for my VIN. There was no inspection performed. The only option I have is buying a used airbag with a 2018+ production date and white sticker. I would like reassurance that my airbag won't kill me, or some help from the manufacturer.
My car randomly started throwing an error for a failure with the passenger restraint system. From what I have read it has something to do with the OC3 Mat in the seat that detects if there is an occupant, and if the weight of the occupant is considered to be that of an adult, so the airbag does not deploy in the wrong circumstances, which is potentially dangerous to anyone that may ride in the passenger seat. There has been an extended warranty, and recall for previous years of E90 BMWs, but 2009 may not be included, even though the seats should be the same. I plan on contacting the dealership for further investigation, but I know I cannot afford to have this safety feature fixed out of my pocket at this time. Thank you for your time.
Takata recall I was notified of the airbag recall on my car and called the dealership to get a rental car. I was first denied this request until I called BMW customer service and they contacted the dealership to approve the rental. It has been months and the dealership called and said they had my replacement airbag so upon dropping the car off at the dealership I asked if this was the newly designed airbag and was told that it was the same defective design but was safe because they are essentially "resetting the clock." so instead of correcting the defect, I simply got a newer defective 'safety device' put in my vehicle that would have to replaced again. I called BMW customer service again to inquire about a vehicle buy back which they are required to do by law if they cannot correct a recall. I was told that based on the age of my vehicle they would not buy it back. …
I received a recall notice from BMW (recall campaign no. 16v-071) a year ago. The recall notice informs me that the airbag can rupture in an accident and send metal fragments to the driver (myself) and other passengers. This is a concerning safety issue that still has not been addresses and resolved by BMW. The recall notice advises me that there are no parts available to resolve this recall and that BMW will advise me when there are. Since it has been a year since this notice, this is now reaching an unreasonable amount of time that a consumer should have to wait for resolution on a safety issue such as this. I would like BMW to provide me with a loaner BMW vehicle or like model until they correct and resolve this issue. [redacted]
I was driving on the interstate when my car started to lose acceleration. I could not accelerate up an incline. Then I heard a rattling. The next exit was a rest stop and as I was exiting my vehicle failed and shut down. I had no power at all. I coasted to a parking stall and turned the vehicle off after parking it safely. When I opened the hood the vehicle was not hot or smoking so I tried to start it. The car started but with a very loud knocking and rattling so I shut it off again and phoned the dealership. I towed the vehicle to the dealership over 30 days ago and have not been contacted by them not 1x. I have called weekly to no avail.
Randomly while driving and sometimes when stationary my car's electrical system started going haywire including my gauges and the passenger airbag as well some other safety features with tthe seatbelt were disabled with & without a passenger in the car. I keep getting a warning screen that tread as follows: "restraint system malfunction. Fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Continue to wear the safety belt. Have the system checked by the nearest BMW center." after looking online it is a common problem but for some reason my VIN isn't included on the recall.
When a passenger is belted - with car running/driving - an alarm comes on - basically not recognizing when belted. Also the inactive airbag light is not on. When no passenger, the car used to light up the 'airbag not active' - it no longer shows that (light is always off) whether passenger there or not.
Air bag sensor still on as faulty. BMW has stated its the sensor associated with the the event of roll over. Private company certified to service bmws states its the passenger air bag. My BMW's computer also states its the passenger air bag.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Airbag complaints in other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 BMW 335i?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 BMW 335i, 34% of the model year's 85 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 BMW 335i airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-513 (inflator module, Jul 3, 2024); NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 335i airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 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.