The 2009 BMW 328i has 5 recalls, the most serious being two separate driver's airbag inflator defects where the inflator can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Both airbag concerns stem from inflators that can rupture violently rather than deploy cleanly. One affects the original steering wheel inflator, while the other involves vehicles where the original steering wheel may have been swapped for a sport or M-sport wheel carrying a similarly dangerous inflator module. Either way, the risk to the driver is the same: metal shrapnel in the cabin during a crash.
Two of the remaining recalls involve fire risk, and both can occur even when the vehicle is parked and off. The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit, melting internal components and potentially igniting a fire under the hood. Separately, the wiring and connectors controlling airflow for the heating and air conditioning system can overheat and melt, also raising the risk of a fire while the car sits unattended.
The fifth recall involves the positive battery cable connection at the fuse box, where the terminal can degrade over time and cause intermittent losses of electrical power. When that happens, the engine can stall unexpectedly, leaving the driver without power in traffic.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator in certain replacement sport or M-sport steering wheels can explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The positive battery cable connection at the fuse box may degrade over time, causing the electrical system to intermittently lose power.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it properly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater inside the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing it to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow in the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
