2009 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2009

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2009 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (38%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (9%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 551 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2009 BMW 3-Series.

2009 BMW 3-Series transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (13%)

$1000 - $2499 (13%)

$500 - $999 (4%)

$100 - $499 (17%)

< $100 (54%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 24 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

62000 mi

C $400
Transfer case and transmission starting to fail. Tried reset the transmission adaptations, done tranny fluid change. Will change transfer case and diff fluid next week and see how it turns out. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

99000 mi

US $4150
Rear pinion seal leak 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

49000 mi

US $440
Leak in one of the transmission lines needed to be repaired before it was sold. It had not caused a problem yet. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD

55000 mi

US $2000
Clutch failure, pressure plate springs failing, 1st-3rd not held effectively. 
3720 mi Manual Transmission locked into second gear, Replaced under warranty 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

268-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

62000 mi

US $1300
around 45mph it felt like a vibration coming from the rear suspension,after the dealership look it at, it was the torque converter 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

73000 mi

US $3500
Transmission replaced. Likely sustained damage years ago due to a rear ending accident, and the body shop failed to recognize it. 
100000 mi Mechatronic sleeve was leaking. 
5208 mi Gear whine (whistling noise). Differential replaced. Differential replaced due to gear whine. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

29000 mi

US $66
The shifting of the transmission was "jumpy" and rough. I was told by the dealer that the program/software that manages the transmission had to be updated and reprogrammed. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD

59000 mi

US $100
The seal where the manual gear lever enters the transmission was replaced. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD

30800 mi It's been in twice because the transmission failed and car wouldn't accelerate. Twice the dealer has been unable to find the problem and is still working on repair. 
32000 mi Had to update software for shifting. This is the fourth update. 
37000 mi For the fifth time since purchase, the transmission got stuck in first or second gear while accelerating and caused a dangerous situation while blending into interstate highway traffic. BMW refuses to replace part only software upgrades 
38400 mi After transmission went into high gear on its own several times, they finally replaced the computer module that operates the shifting mechanism on the transmission.  
153000 mi

US $24
Car has unusual amount of lash in the drivetrain which creates an annoying clunking sound when shifting (6MT) and bad noises in sharp turns (Parking maneuvers). I cannot find the problem as everything seems fine when I inspect it on a hoist. Either the transfer case or dual mass flywheel on my list. I took advantage to drain and refill the transfer case. It was empty and had metal particle on the plug. I flushed it and refilled it and it does not leak but the problem still persists. 
154000 mi

US $30
Transfer case has been making loud clunking sounds when turning sharp at low speeds. I decided to change the fluid. When I removed the drain plug it was empty. I refilled it with the proper fluid and after driving it a few hundred miles the noises went away. There is no visible leak so I don't know where the original fluid went. 
134000 mi

US $100
Replace transfer case fluid 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD

46000 mi

US $1400
Faulty Transmission. Dealer replaced transmission, clutch. I paid for flywheel 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

33000 mi

US $700
Defective driveshaft causing rattling and violent shifts. Driveshaft replaced. BMW USA paid parts cost out of warranty. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

26660 mi Transmission gasket replaced 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

25000 mi Transmission oil pan warped and leaking...it's a plastic pan. BMW replaced it under my extended warranty. 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD

15500 mi 2 and 3rd gear syncrhomeshes were extremely worn, not a driving behavior problem, most likely a defect. transmission (complete) ordered as BMW does not replace transmission internals 

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2009 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

92000 mi

US $3200
Replaced leaking [drivetrain] gaskets 

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2009 BMW 3-Series Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2009 BMW 3-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.