Car Model Guide/ Issues/ Footwell module (FRM) failure

Footwell module (FRM) failure

Attaches to E9X at chassis level · Electrical · carried by 171 variants across 19 chassis

Overview

Footwell module (FRM) failure is a common fault recorded against E9X at chassis level, at any age. It shows up as headlights, indicators, windows, wipers and central locking stop working at once, usually right after a battery change or a jump start. Where it's documented, the repair runs €150–€700 (€150 for a specialist reflash if the module is recoverable; €500–700 replaced and coded, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 171 variants across 19 chassis in this database inherit it.

€150 – €700

€150 for a specialist reflash if the module is recoverable; €500–700 replaced and coded · costs dated 2026-07

Likelihoodcommon

Typical onsetany age

Detectableyes

Walk awayno

Evidencedocumented

What happens

Symptom. Headlights, indicators, windows, wipers and central locking stop working at once, usually right after a battery change or a jump start.

Cause. The module's memory corrupts when supply voltage dips. It is the single most common electrical failure on this generation.

How to check it

Static checks

Test every window, both mirrors, the wipers, all exterior lights and the central locking before you drive. If any cluster of these is dead, this is why.

Engine off, ideally on a lift.

ElectricalcommonDetectable at viewingevidence: documented

Every variant that carries this

Variant	Chassis	Body	Years	Risk	Good buy	Cost as % of good buy
318i N46	E90	sedan	2005–2011	R3	€3,100	14%
318i N46	E91	wagon	2005–2011	R3	€3,300	13%
320i N46	E90	sedan	2005–2007	R3	€3,400	13%
320i N46	E91	wagon	2005–2007	R3	€3,600	12%
320i N43	E90	sedan	2007–2011	R4	€3,950	11%
320i N43	E91	wagon	2007–2011	R4	€4,200	10%
320i N43	E92	coupe	2007–2011	R4	€4,550	9%
320i N43	E93	convertible	2007–2011	R4	€4,450	10%
323i N52	E90	sedan	2005–2007	R2	€4,050	10%
323i N52	E91	wagon	2005–2007	R2	€4,300	10%
323i N52	E92	coupe	2006–2007	R2	€4,650	9%
325i N52	E90	sedan	2005–2007	R2	€4,750	9%
325i N52	E91	wagon	2005–2007	R2	€5,050	8%
325i N52	E92	coupe	2006–2007	R2	€5,450	8%
325i N52	E93	convertible	2007	R2	€5,350	8%
325i N53	E90	sedan	2007–2011	R4	€5,250	8%
325i N53	E91	wagon	2007–2012	R4	€5,550	8%
325i N53	E92	coupe	2007–2013	R4	€6,050	7%
325i N53	E93	convertible	2007–2013	R4	€5,900	7%
328i N52	E90	sedan	2006–2011	R2	€5,150	8%
328i N52	E91	wagon	2006–2012	R2	€5,450	8%
328i N52	E92	coupe	2006–2013	R2	€5,950	7%
328i N52	E93	convertible	2007–2013	R2	€5,750	7%
330i N52	E90	sedan	2005–2007	R2	€5,600	8%
330i N52	E91	wagon	2005–2007	R2	€5,950	7%
330i N52	E92	coupe	2006–2007	R2	€6,450	7%
330i N53	E90	sedan	2007–2011	R4	€6,000	7%
330i N53	E91	wagon	2007–2011	R4	€6,350	7%
330i N53	E92	coupe	2007–2011	R4	€6,900	6%
330i N53	E93	convertible	2007–2011	R4	€6,750	6%
335i N54	E90	sedan	2006–2010	R4	€7,350	6%
335i N54	E92	coupe	2006–2010	R4	€8,450	5%
335i N54	E93	convertible	2007–2010	R4	€8,250	5%
335i N55	E90	sedan	2010–2011	R3	€11,700	4%
335i N55	E92	coupe	2010–2013	R3	€13,450	3%
335i N55	E93	convertible	2010–2013	R3	€13,100	3%
316d N47	E90	sedan	2009–2011	R5	€4,200	10%
316d N47	E91	wagon	2009–2011	R5	€4,450	10%
318d N47	E90	sedan	2007–2011	R5	€4,100	10%
318d N47	E91	wagon	2007–2011	R5	€4,350	10%
320d M47	E90	sedan	2005–2007	R3	€3,800	11%
320d M47	E91	wagon	2005–2007	R3	€4,050	10%
320d N47	E90	sedan	2007–2011	R5	€4,400	10%
320d N47	E91	wagon	2007–2012	R5	€4,650	9%
320d N47	E92	coupe	2007–2013	R5	€5,050	8%
320d N47	E93	convertible	2007–2013	R5	€4,950	9%
325d M57	E90	sedan	2006–2010	R2	€5,200	8%
325d M57	E91	wagon	2006–2010	R2	€5,500	8%
325d M57	E92	coupe	2006–2010	R2	€6,000	7%
325d N57	E90	sedan	2010–2011	R3	€7,200	6%
325d N57	E91	wagon	2010–2012	R3	€7,650	6%
325d N57	E92	coupe	2010–2013	R3	€8,300	5%
330d M57	E90	sedan	2005–2008	R2	€5,950	7%
330d M57	E91	wagon	2005–2008	R2	€6,300	7%
330d M57	E92	coupe	2006–2008	R2	€6,850	6%
330d M57	E93	convertible	2007–2008	R2	€6,700	6%
330d N57	E90	sedan	2008–2011	R3	€8,500	5%
330d N57	E91	wagon	2008–2012	R3	€9,050	5%
330d N57	E92	coupe	2008–2013	R3	€9,000	5%
330d N57	E93	convertible	2008–2013	R3	€8,750	5%
335d M57	E90	sedan	2006–2010	R3	€6,900	6%
335d M57	E92	coupe	2006–2010	R3	€7,950	5%
M3 S65	E90	sedan	2007–2011	R4	€35,700	1%
M3 S65	E92	coupe	2007–2013	R4	€35,000	1%
M3 S65	E93	convertible	2007–2013	R4	€30,800	1%
2.0 TFSI CDNC	B8	sedan	2008–2012	R5	€4,300	10%
2.0 TFSI CDNC	B8 Avant	wagon	2008–2012	R5	€4,500	9%
2.0 TFSI CNCD	B8	sedan	2012–2015	R3	€8,200	5%
2.0 TFSI CNCD	B8 Avant	wagon	2012–2016	R3	€8,600	5%
2.0 TDI CJCA	B8	sedan	2008–2015	R3	€5,200	8%
2.0 TDI CJCA	B8 Avant	wagon	2008–2016	R3	€5,500	8%
3.0 TDI CCWA	B8	sedan	2008–2015	R4	€7,500	6%
3.0 TDI CCWA	B8 Avant	wagon	2008–2016	R4	€7,900	5%
1.8 TFSI CABB	B8	sedan	2008–2015	R4	€3,900	11%
1.8 TFSI CABB	B8 Avant	wagon	2008–2015	R4	€4,100	10%
C 220 CDI OM651	W204	sedan	2009–2014	R3	€5,700	7%
C 220 CDI OM651	S204	wagon	2009–2014	R3	€6,000	7%
C 180 Kompressor M271-KOMP	W204	sedan	2007–2011	R5	€3,450	12%
C 180 Kompressor M271-KOMP	S204	wagon	2008–2011	R5	€3,650	12%
C 180 CGI M271-EVO	W204	sedan	2011–2014	R2	€7,650	6%
C 180 CGI M271-EVO	S204	wagon	2011–2014	R2	€8,050	5%
C 320 CDI OM642	W204	sedan	2007–2011	R3	€6,600	6%
C 320 CDI OM642	S204	wagon	2008–2011	R3	€6,950	6%
1.9 TDI BKC	Mk5	hatchback	2003–2009	R2	€2,000	21%
1.6 TDI CAYC	Mk6	hatchback	2009–2013	R3	€5,350	8%
1.4 TSI CAXA	Mk5	hatchback	2007–2009	R4	€3,300	13%
1.4 TSI CAXA	Mk6	hatchback	2009–2013	R4	€4,250	10%
2.0 FSI BLR	Mk5	hatchback	2004–2008	R3	€2,450	17%
116i N45B16	E87	hatchback	2004–2007	R2	€2,700	16%
116i N43B16	E87	hatchback	2007–2011	R3	€3,500	12%
116i N43B16	E81	hatchback	2007–2011	R3	€3,100	14%
118i N46	E87	hatchback	2004–2007	R2	€2,900	15%
118i N43	E87	hatchback	2007–2011	R3	€3,900	11%
118i N43	E81	hatchback	2007–2011	R3	€3,450	12%
118i N43	E82	coupe	2007–2011	R3	€4,000	11%
118i N43	E88	convertible	2008–2011	R3	€4,200	10%
120i N46	E87	hatchback	2004–2007	R2	€3,250	13%
120i N43	E87	hatchback	2007–2011	R3	€4,250	10%
120i N43	E81	hatchback	2007–2011	R3	€3,800	11%
120i N43	E82	coupe	2007–2011	R3	€4,400	10%
120i N43	E88	convertible	2008–2011	R3	€4,650	9%
125i N52	E82	coupe	2008–2013	R2	€7,000	6%
125i N52	E88	convertible	2008–2013	R2	€7,400	6%
130i N52	E87	hatchback	2005–2011	R2	€7,000	6%
130i N52	E81	hatchback	2007–2011	R2	€6,800	6%
135i N54	E82	coupe	2007–2010	R4	€9,800	4%
135i N54	E88	convertible	2008–2010	R4	€10,350	4%
135i N55	E82	coupe	2010–2013	R3	€12,600	3%
135i N55	E88	convertible	2010–2013	R3	€13,300	3%
1M N54	E82	coupe	2011–2012	R3	€50,700	1%
116d N47	E87	hatchback	2009–2011	R4	€4,050	10%
116d N47	E81	hatchback	2009–2011	R4	€3,600	12%
118d M47	E87	hatchback	2004–2007	R2	€3,200	13%
118d N47	E87	hatchback	2007–2011	R4	€4,600	9%
118d N47	E81	hatchback	2007–2012	R4	€4,100	10%
118d N47	E82	coupe	2007–2013	R4	€4,700	9%
118d N47	E88	convertible	2008–2013	R4	€4,950	9%
120d M47	E87	hatchback	2004–2007	R2	€3,550	12%
120d N47	E87	hatchback	2007–2011	R4	€5,150	8%
120d N47	E81	hatchback	2007–2012	R4	€4,600	9%
120d N47	E82	coupe	2007–2013	R4	€5,250	8%
120d N47	E88	convertible	2008–2013	R4	€5,550	8%
123d N47S	E87	hatchback	2007–2011	R4	€6,450	7%
123d N47S	E81	hatchback	2007–2012	R4	€5,750	7%
123d N47S	E82	coupe	2007–2013	R4	€6,650	6%
123d N47S	E88	convertible	2008–2013	R4	€6,950	6%
1.6 BSE	8P	hatchback	2003–2010	R2	€2,350	18%
1.6 BSE	8PA	hatchback	2004–2010	R2	€2,400	18%
1.4 TFSI CAXC	8P	hatchback	2007–2013	R3	€3,300	13%
1.4 TFSI CAXC	8PA	hatchback	2007–2013	R3	€3,400	13%
1.4 TFSI CAXC	8P7	convertible	2008–2013	R3	€3,800	11%
1.8 TFSI CDAA	8P	hatchback	2007–2013	R3	€3,900	11%
1.8 TFSI CDAA	8PA	hatchback	2007–2013	R3	€4,000	11%
1.8 TFSI CDAA	8P7	convertible	2008–2013	R3	€4,500	9%
2.0 FSI BLR	8P	hatchback	2004–2008	R3	€2,800	15%
2.0 FSI BLR	8PA	hatchback	2004–2008	R3	€2,850	15%
2.0 TFSI CCZA	8P	hatchback	2008–2013	R3	€5,000	9%
2.0 TFSI CCZA	8PA	hatchback	2008–2013	R3	€5,150	8%
2.0 TFSI CCZA	8P7	convertible	2008–2013	R3	€5,300	8%
S3 CDLA	8P	hatchback	2006–2013	R3	€8,750	5%
S3 CDLA	8PA	hatchback	2006–2013	R3	€8,950	5%
1.9 TDI BKC	8P	hatchback	2003–2010	R2	€2,450	17%
1.9 TDI BKC	8PA	hatchback	2004–2010	R2	€2,500	17%
2.0 TDI BKD	8P	hatchback	2003–2008	R3	€3,300	13%
2.0 TDI BKD	8PA	hatchback	2004–2008	R3	€3,400	13%
2.0 TDI CBAB	8P	hatchback	2008–2013	R4	€4,700	9%
2.0 TDI CBAB	8PA	hatchback	2008–2013	R4	€4,800	9%
2.0 TDI CBAB	8P7	convertible	2008–2013	R4	€4,950	9%
1.6 TDI CAYC	8P	hatchback	2009–2013	R3	€4,150	10%
1.6 TDI CAYC	8PA	hatchback	2009–2013	R3	€4,250	10%
1.6 TDI CAYC	8P7	convertible	2009–2013	R3	€4,400	10%
E 220 CDI OM651	W212	sedan	2009–2016	R3	€6,300	7%
E 220 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€6,650	6%
E 200 CDI OM651	W212	sedan	2010–2016	R3	€5,500	8%
E 200 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2010–2016	R3	€5,800	7%
E 250 CDI OM651	W212	sedan	2009–2016	R3	€7,300	6%
E 250 CDI OM651	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€7,700	6%
E 350 CDI OM642	W212	sedan	2009–2016	R3	€8,750	5%
E 350 CDI OM642	S212	wagon	2009–2016	R3	€9,200	5%
E 200 CGI M271-EVO	W212	sedan	2009–2013	R3	€5,200	8%
E 200 CGI M271-EVO	S212	wagon	2009–2013	R3	€5,450	8%
E 250 CGI M271-EVO	W212	sedan	2009–2013	R3	€6,000	7%
E 250 CGI M271-EVO	S212	wagon	2009–2013	R3	€6,300	7%
E 200 M274	W212	sedan	2013–2016	R2	€8,450	5%
E 200 M274	S212	wagon	2013–2016	R2	€8,850	5%
E 250 M274	W212	sedan	2013–2016	R2	€9,600	4%
E 250 M274	S212	wagon	2013–2016	R2	€10,100	4%
E 350 CGI M272	W212	sedan	2009–2011	R3	€7,250	6%
E 350 CGI M272	S212	wagon	2009–2011	R3	€7,650	6%
E 350 M276	W212	sedan	2011–2016	R2	€10,500	4%
E 350 M276	S212	wagon	2011–2016	R2	€11,050	4%

The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.