VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE TAKING A TURN. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND DRIVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I DROVE AROUND SLOWLY TO TEST AND NOTICED KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I ALSO NOTICED ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE NORMAL, NOT QUITE TO THE NEXT MARKER, BUT CLOSE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BMW SERVICE SHOP. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS ROD BEARING FAILURE WHICH LED TO CRANKSHAFT DAMAGE…
2009 BMW M3 engine problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
TAKATA RECALL DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ON THE LOCAL STREET AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LIGHT TURNS GREEN, I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE FELT SLUGGISH AND SHUTS OFF. TOWED THE CAR TO MRF ENGINEERING AND CAR NEEDED AN "ENGINE REPLACEMENT" AS MY ROD BEARINGS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. COSTED ROUGHLY AROUND $19,000 IN PARTS AND LABOR.
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2009 BMW 335I ON FWY 5 SOUTH AT ABOUT 65 MPH , THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANE. IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED REPEATEDLY, WE HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW TO GET HOME, NEXT DAY I GOT IT IN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THIS HAPPENED TO MY 2 TIMES , THIS IS A VERY UN…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 BMW M3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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