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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery, cables
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, vacuum
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (6)
Show 6 Canadian recalls
Label
2024-08-15 · campaign 2024-544
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French.
Safety Risk:
This error does not affect vehicle safety.
Corrective Actions:
This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Engine
2022-03-02 · campaign 2022-095
Issue:
On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat.
Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair.
Safety Risk:
An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Engine
2017-09-28 · campaign 2017-470
On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If this occurs, the surrounding plastics could overheat, melt and potentially cause a fire, which could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater.
Lights and instruments
2013-09-18 · campaign 2013-310
Certain vehicles may experience the loss of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn and reverse). Failure of any rear lamp function may result in the following road users being unaware of the driver's intentions, as well as reducing vehicle conspicuity during hours of darkness, which could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace rear bulb carriers with an updated design.
Electrical
2012-03-23 · campaign 2012-109
On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. Over time, the bolt connection could loosen, which would increase electrical resistance. In addition, an incorrectly insulated bulkhead connector could allow humidity to accumulate at this location, causing current leakage. These issues could cause the cable connection to overheat, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, secure the insulated bulkhead connector. In addition, protective grease will be added to the area and the plastic battery positive terminal cover will be replaced.
Brakes
2010-10-01 · campaign 2010-328
On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.
Owner complaints (8)
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 5 Series (1 crashes reported). Among 17 model years of this model, it ranks #9 for the most complaints (median 8).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | |
| Engine | 2 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | |
| Air bags | 1 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 BMW 5 Series.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2009 BMW 5 Series Wagon w/SAB | – | – | – | 4★ |
| 2009 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB | – | – | – | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2009 BMW 5 Series version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| 528i 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 528i 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 528i xDrive 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 528i xDrive 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 535i 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 535i 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 535i Sport Wagon xDrive 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 535i Sport Wagon xDrive 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 535i xDrive 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 535i xDrive 3.0 L Automatic (S6) | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 550i 4.8 L Manual 6-spd | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 550i 4.8 L Automatic (S6) | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.