VehicleVerdict

2009 BMW 1 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2009 BMW 1 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

23

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other 1 Series years?

1 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted44 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 6 complaints2005: 3 complaints2006: 7 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 24 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 44 complaints2012: 0 complaints
1 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 1 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 BMW 1 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags730%
Lighting626%
Electrical System522%
Tires & Wheels29%
Engine14%
Seat Belts14%
Seats14%

Does the 2009 BMW 1 Series have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12E029000EngineAugust 10, 2012 · 585 units

Defect

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Consequence

This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy

Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

10V254000Seat BeltsJune 10, 2010 · 31,935 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.

Consequence

THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.

Remedy

VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TAKATA RECALL: MY DRIVER AIR BAG HAVE YET TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS FROM FEBRUARY 5, 2016. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR OUTSIDE OF MY TOWN FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SIN!!! IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR. I AM EVEN WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IN TOWN BUT TRUSTING MY LORD AND SAVIOR FOR MY LIFE SAFETY. TAKATA…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 5, 2016

“I HAVE A 2009 528I . WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD MY HEADLIGHTS WHEN ON LOWBEAMS GO OUT . THE BRIGHTS WORK BUT NOT THE LOWBEAMS THE CAR CONTROL SAYS LOWBEAM MALFUNCTION . FIRST IT WAS THE LEFT LIGHT AND THEN THE RIGHTFRONT. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR LONG AND ITS A WONDERFUL CAR. BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 1, 2016

“I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY ALL LIGHT CONTROLS LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD AFTER I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE, THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON SLOWLY WITHOUT MYSELF OPERATING THEM , AS MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP/ENGINE OFF. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAITING 10…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2018

“WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED I PASSED OVER THE TRANSITIONED BETWEEN A MILLED ROAD SURFACE TO EXISTING PAVEMENT. ON DAY ONE I NOTICE A SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER HANGING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE (LEFT) RIM BUT THE TIRE WAS HOLDING AIR. ON DAY TWO THE PASSENGER SIDE, RIGHT FRONT TIRE SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 28, 2014

“I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A ELECTRICAL RECALL. DEALER DID A RECOMMENDED SERVICE CHECK. LISTED 3 MAJOR ISSUES THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH A CAR THAT HAS 61,452. 1. REPLACE OIL PAN GASKET 2. REPLACE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKETS 3. REPLACE VALVE COVER GASKET. ALL OF THESE ISSUES DUE TO OIL LEAKS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 30, 2015

2009 BMW 1 Series — common questions

Is the 2009 BMW 1 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2009 1 Series problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (7 complaints), lighting (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 BMW 1 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 BMW 1 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 1 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 1 Series years to avoid are 2011. The cleanest record among 1 Series years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.