2009 BMW 5 Series problems and complaints
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 5 Series. The most-reported areas: Engine (35), Fuel/Propulsion System (30), Fuel System (20).
Key takeaways
- 111 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 4 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 2 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 35 | 32% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 30 | 27% |
| Fuel System | 20 | 18% |
| Gasoline | 19 | 17% |
| Electrical System | 12 | 11% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 | 11% |
| Power Train | 7 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 6 | 5% |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 4% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 4/5 |
| 2009 BMW 5 Series Wagon w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Electrical System - filed 2026-09-27
CRITICAL SAFETY REPORT: DRIVING FIRE / INJURY / FAILED RECALL REMEDY (CAMPAIGN 12V-126)While driving, my 2009 BMW E60 suffered an immediate, catastrophic electrical fire originating at the positive battery terminal bulkhead connector in the trunk floor. This exact component is the subject of federal safety mandate NH...
Power Train - filed 2025-07-11
I believe using the manual shift mode for normal usage of optimal shifting in certain driving situations and gentle downshifting caused a malfunction in the functionality of the transmission that led to a complete transmission failure. I don’t believe it’s a mechanical issue or result of misuse. There were no warning s...
Service Brakes - filed 2025-05-12
Vehicle fail breaks malfunction. No response to the brakes. Push many times no break response vehicle hit vehicle in front of it could not be avoided That rotors are less than one year old there about six or 7000 miles on them. They are basically new new tires car will maintain no lights on dash no warning no airbag d...
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More for the 2009 BMW 5 Series
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.