2009 BMW 7-Series Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 BMW 7-Series.

< older2010
Complaints
17
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2009 BMW 7-Series Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#13 complaints

Engine Problems

#23 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

#32 complaints

Fuel System

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 BMW 7-Series.

Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 BMW 7-Series. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 BMW 7-Series

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~33,124 vehicles.

11V521000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger
~32,084 affected

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.

10V047000Equipment:other:labels
~1,040 affected

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 7-SERIES AND MODEL YEAR 2010 550i GRAND TURISMO VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLE'S ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE LABEL INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE'S SEATING CAPACITY IS FIVE (5) PASSENGERS. THE ACTUAL SEATING CAPACITY IS FOUR (4) PASSENGERS. THE TIRE SIZE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE LABEL ARE CORRECT.

Other BMW 7-Series Years

2009 BMW 7-Series — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 BMW 7-Series reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2009 BMW 7-Series has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 BMW 7-Series?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (3 complaints); Transmission / Drivetrain (3 complaints); Fuel System (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 2009 BMW 7-Series?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 BMW 7-Series include 0 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 BMW 7-Series have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 33,124 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 BMW 7-Series?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full BMW 7-Series reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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