2007 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,040 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 29 involved a crash and 61 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
226 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 26, 2024
Quote: Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC The Problem: The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Repair: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. This is reproducible with the front passenger seat. The seatbelt light and airbag light turn on when a passenger is present. This car is unsafe for anyone to be seated in the front passenger seat even when buckled as the red seatbelt and red airbag turn on and stay on until the passenger unbuckles and exits this vehicle.
Air bags, Sep 3, 2024
passenger restraint malfunction warning light has been on. It is a common problem with many BMW's and they did not issue a recall prior to 2009 models. The repair is quite costly and it seems to be a computer error that is not actually an issue at all
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, May 15, 2024
Front Seat Passenger Side Seatbelt warning indicator activates when no person is in passenger seat. Airbag warning light illuminates even when there is a passenger in the seat. I see numerous complaints about the same/similar issues in your data base, but seemingly no resolution or recall. My car is a convertible. I note from other complaints on your website that a related recall was initiated for my year make model but it did not apply to convertible version of this model. That is irresponsible and unacceptable.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, May 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the passenger restraint system message had appeared on the instrument panel indicating an air bag failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Dec 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag sensor warning light illuminated, whether a passenger was seated in the seat or not. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated even without a passenger seated in the seat. The contact was unable to reach the local dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.
Air bags, Sep 30, 2021
I have been trying since 2016 to get Vista BMW in Broward County Florida to replace or remove the DEFECTICE AND DANGEROUS Takata airbags in my car, and I have the paperwork to prove that this was never done. Reeves BMW in Tampa, Florida, said that Vista BMW falsely reported that the airbags were replaced with non-Takata bags and refused to install the correct ones with desiccant. I have proof that shows that the airbags were never available at that time and the Vista BMW service manager himself told me that all he could do was replace it with another defective stock airbag until the replacements were available. After waiting two years without hearing from Vista or any BMW representative, and eventually moving to Tampa in 2018, I went to the BMW dealer here, Reeves, who stated that Vista had falsely reported that the "interim" airbag had been replaced and they refused to install the replacements. So now I keep the car unused in the garage, too scared to drive this bomb that can blow up at any time, and I cannot afford to junk a car that took me five years to pay off. Why has NHTSA not prosecuted BMW and not enforce this? How can I get BMW to replace the airbags with the correct ones with dessicant? PLEASE HELP, AT WITS END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Air bags, Sep 28, 2021
I have been trying since 2016 to get Vista BMW in Broward County Florida to replace or remove the Takata airbags in my car, and I have the paperwork to prove that this was never done. Reeves BMW in Tampa, Florida, said that Vista BMW falsely reported that the airbags were replaced with non-Takata bags and refused to install the correct ones with desiccant. I have proof that shows that the airbags were never available at that time and the Vista BMW service manager himself told me that all he could do was replace it with another defective airbag until the replacements were available. After waiting two years without hearing from Vista or any BMW representative, and eventually moving to Tampa in 2018, I went to the BMW dealer here, Reeves, who stated that Vista had falsely reported that the "interim" airbag had been replaced and they refused to install the replacements. As I am the only driver and owner of the car, I know that no one else could have taken the car from my garage in the dead of night and replaced any airbag and returned the car without my knowledge. So now I keep the car unused in the garage, too scared to drive this bomb that can blow up at any time, and I cannot afford to junk a car that took me five years to pay off. BMW either owes me a replacement SAFE airbag or a replacement car that has a safe airbag in it. I will gladly join any legal action to expose these criminals and hope you can do something for me before I die. The documents attached clearly show that the airbag was never replaced with a proper desiccant or drying agent.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2021
Air bag light malfunction passenger side
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 1, 2021
Bmw of Murietta will not honor the recalls
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2021
SO I GOT A PAPER SAYING I HAD A RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS SO I CALLED AND GOT MY CAR TAKIN TO BMW IN BELLEVUE. BMW'S ROAD SIDE ASSISTANTS GAVE THE WRONG ADDRESS TO THE TOW COMPANY AND WOULD NOT ANSWER THE PHONE TOW FOR THEM> I EVEN ATTEMPTED TO CALL AND WAS PLACED ON HOLD FOR APPROXIMATYELY 40 MINUTES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY I SPOKE WITH THE TOW COMPANYS DISPATCHER WHO WAS SO FRUSTRATED HE STARTED ACCUSING ME OF PLAYING GAMES AND THREATENED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE DROPPED AT THE WRONG DEALERSHIP THEN EXTORTED ME FOR ANOTHER 80 DOLLARS JUST TO DROP MY CAR OFF HIS TRUCK AND LEAVE IT AT MY HOUSE. HOURS LATER AFTER FINALLY GETTING A HOD OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THE EXACT SAME COMPANY RETURNED AND DELIVERED MY VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT LOCATION. AFTER ALL OF THIS WE ARE BEING JERKED AROUND BY BELLEVUE BMW ON THE RECALLS THEY ASKED ME FOR 3 HOURS OF LABOR AND PROMISED US TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY A WEEK THEY SAID MY DME IS BAD AN IT WOULD COST 8000.00 TO FIX IT AND SAID IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING BECAUSE IT WAS OLD NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL UNTIL I FINALLY BROUGHT IT UP THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH BMW IN BELLEVUE WHICH WAS MONDAY THE15TH OF MARCH 2021. I WAS TOLD THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPAIRED NOT REPLACED AND THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS REPLACED. THEN SAID MY BILL WAS OVER 600.00 > AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH THRU THENHTSA WEBSITE I FOUND OUT MY RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED AND I TOOK PHOTOS WITH THE DATES AND TIME SHOWING MY RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED WHICH I FEEL UPSET AND VERY WORRIED AND CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY NOW I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HEAR BECAUSE MY FAMILY AND I ARE BEING PLACED INTO A HARDSHIP AND TO MAKE IT WORSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC PLEASE HELP US. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING WAS DONE TO THE CAR I THINK WE NEED TO TALK TO AN ATTORNEY
Air bags, Sep 10, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHTS ON
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 29, 2020
AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF, SAYING "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER." OR "FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONERS, AND BELT FORCE LIMITERS FAULTY. ENSURE THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED DESPITE THE FAULT. HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED BY THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER". THESE LIGHTS COME ON EVERYTIME THE CAR IS STARTED, DEALERSHIPS CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT, AND ANY ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE CODE DOES NOT WORK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 5, 2020
THE CAR HAS A SHORT DRAINING BATTERY ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THE BLOWER MOTER SMELT LIKE FIRE WHEN TURNED ON. SCAN TOOL WONT CONNECT TO OBD2 SAYS NO COMMUNICATION AIR BAGS RESTRAINT LIGHTS CAME ON . I BELEIVE YOUR RECALLS WERE NOT DONE AND CAUSE A MASSIVE FAILURE THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TO OPERATE VEHICLE UNDER.
Air bags, Jan 15, 2020
MY VEHICLES PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED AND MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AS WELL AS THE RED AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT STAY ON NO MATTER WHAT EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND WHETHER THE CAR IS MOBILE OR STATIONARY, I WAS TOLD IT'S DUE TO THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR THAT HAS DETERIORATED OVER TIME ,I ALSO HAVE READ THAT RECALLS WERE MADE FOR THE ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE COUPE FOR SOME REASON ,WHICH I DONT GET MY CAR HAS THE STANDARD SEATS IN IT AND IS MADE WITH THE SAME EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS WHY IS MY CAR EXCLUDED WHEN THE SEDAN AND WAGON OF THE SAME YEAR WERE INCLUDED?
Air bags, Jan 8, 2020
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS LIT EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS SITTING. THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE AS TO IF THE PASSENGER SITS DOWN WITH THE CAR ON OR OFF, IF THE BELT IS FASTENED WITH THE CAR ON OR OFF, MOVING OR STATIONARY.
Air bags, Dec 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. BMW OF DEVON (20 LANCASTER AV, DEVON, PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Air bags, Dec 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF ROCHESTER AT 585-617-0465 (LOCATED AT 4250 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM - FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THIS STARTED HAPPENING 4-5 YEARS AGO WHEN PEOPLE WOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT USED TO COME & GO. IT NEVER GOES OFF NOW.
Air bags, Jun 8, 2019
THE SEAT BAG SENSOR IS CONTINUOUSLY ON. THERE IS NO ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 65K, THE CAR NOW HAS 106K...IS THIS DANGEROUS TO A PASSENGER? OF COURSE, THIS SEEMS TO ACTIVATE THE SEATBELT LIGHT ALSO...
Air bags, Seats, May 9, 2019
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR (OC3) MAT HAS FAILED IN MY CAR. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE E90 SEDAN AND E91 WAGON VERSION OF THE 2007 328I BUT NOT THE E93 CONVERTIBLE (WHICH I HAVE) THE SEAT COMPONENTS ARE IDENTICAL ON ALL 3 MODEL VERSIONS OF THAT YEAR. WHY IS THE SAFETY OF E93 PASSENGERS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE PASSENGERS IN THE E90 AND E91 WHEN THEY SHARE THE SAME SENSOR? REPAIR COST IS $1,200 FOR A SENSOR BMW KNOWS WILL FAIL. I WANT THE 2007 E93 TO BE INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SI B01 09 14
Air bags, May 2, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, AND HEAD, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 16, 2019
RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A BLOWER MOTOR WIRING ISSUE (17V-676) AND AN EXTENSION IN LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. BMW NORTH AMERICA SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE THE VEHICLE IN THERE SYSTEM AND COULD NOT INITIATE REPAIRS UNTIL IT WAS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN TENNESSEE ON 3/23/16, BUT SAW IN THE CARFAX REPORT THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED OVERSEAS.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 8, 2019
FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM.EFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSION OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. WHAT IS THAT?
Air bags, Mar 11, 2019
PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO NOT READ CORRECTLY THE PASSENGER WEIGHT AND POSSIBLY DEPLOYING WITH A CHILD IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES. THERE ARE RECALLS OUT FOR OTHER BMW AUTOS FOR THIS SAME REASON 17V-428 - THIS MODEL AND YEAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST BUT IS ALSO CARRYING A DEFECTIVE PART.