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, May 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL - FINAL REMEDY AVAILABLE NOTICE FROM BMW, RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071. IT STATES: WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT FREE REPAIR PERFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SO I CALLED ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN IN HOUSTON, TX, AND ALL THE LADY COULD DO IS PUT MY NAME ON A CALL BACK LIST WITHOUT A TIMEFRAME FOR A RETURN CALL. WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE, SHE PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH A BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS REP. I EXPLAINED TO THE LADY AT ADVANTAGE BMW AND BMW USA THAT THE NOTICE STATES: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURING OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER PASSENGERS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. IF YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VECHILE, PLEASE ADVISE ALL OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. ALL THE BMW CUSTOMER CARE REP COULD DO IS MAKE SURE THAT MY NAME WAS ON THE CALL BACK LIST AS WELL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BMW AND IT'S AUTHORIZED DEALER CAN NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REQUIRED REPAIRS. BMW'S LETTER STATES THAT THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT RECALL THAT IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH BMW AND IT'S DEALERS? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DO NOT TAKE CARE OF SUCH AN IMPORTANT RECALL IMMEDIATELY LIKE THE RECALL NOTICE STATES. IF BMW IS THE "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE"? WHY DOESN'T BMW FIX THE VEHICLE THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!
Air bags, May 3, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, May 3, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE ON MAY 2, 2017 STATING THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, May 2, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PARTS HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE 2016. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A WAITING LIST FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED IN MARCH OF 2017. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL AS OF YET DUE TO THE PARTS STILL NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, May 2, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Apr 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. AFTER BEING NOTIFIED BY BMW THAT MY CAR WAS BEING RECALLED FOR DANGEROUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS I HAVE BEEN TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR OR LET MY LOVE ONES RIDE AS PASSENGERS. I HAVE BEEN DENIED USE OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT WHILE WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS FOR YEARS. I DESERVE COMPENSATION FROM BMW AND TAKATA AS DO ALL OTHER OWNERS WHO PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES IN GOOD FAITH AND HAVE WAITED PATIENTLY FOR THIS HORRIBLE SITUATION TO BE RECTIFIED.
Air bags, Apr 14, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" THIS VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD. WHERE IS THE NEW AIR BAG? HOW MUCH TIME IS REASONABLE?
Air bags, Apr 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED RECALL NO. 16V-071 FROM BMW IN MARCH 2016. IT HAS NOW BEEN 13 MONTHS AND BMW HAS NOT RECALLED THE CAR AND REPAIRED THE AIRBAGS. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA "TAKATA RECALL EXPANSION: WHAT CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW", SINCE I LIVE IN ZONE A AND THE CAR IS OLDER THAN 2011 THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED BY NOW. I'M FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW FOR NOT RECALLING AND REPAIRING MY 2007 BMW 328I AS IT LEAVES ME AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Apr 6, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Mar 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS ISSUED NOTICE OF AN AIR BAG RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE (CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071) IN MARCH 2016. ONE YEAR HAS PASSED, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PARTS TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL DEALER, SEATTLE BMW, ON 03/28/17, AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS FOR FINAL REMEDY ON THE VEHICLE. PER THE NOTICE, I AM NOTIFYING THE NHTSA ADMINISTRATOR THAT THE REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A BMW 2007 328XI WHICH IS 10 YEARS OLD AND I LIVE IN A HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY STATE. BASED ON THE RISK FACTORS OF THE DEGRADATION FOR THIS AIRBAG MY AIRBAG HAS NOW DEGRADED WELL BEYOND SAFETY LEVELS AND YET I HAVE STILL NOT YET RECEIVED MY LETTER TELLING ME THAT I CAN TAKE MY CAR IN TO HAVE THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION RESOLVED AND THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION AND IF BMW IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN IMMEDIATE REMEDY THEY SHOULD BUY BACK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SO THAT MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF WIFE WHO DRIVES MY CAR IS NO LONGER IN DANGER EVERY DAY. I NO LONGER WANT TO PUT MY LIFE OR MY WIFE'S LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE BMW HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2017
THERE ARE SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS ON THE DASHBOARD, SUCH AS THE BRAKES ON THE BELTS AND THE AIRBAGS I NEED TO KNOW IF ANY OF THIS HAS A RECALL THANKS
Air bags, Mar 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 8, 2017
SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. SHOWS AS "AIRBAG LIGHT" ON DASH. BMW ALREADY RECALLED SOME VEHICLES FOR THIS, AND GAVE A 15-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR CARS INCLUDING MY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR, BUT REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS SPORTS SEATS INSTEAD OF STANDARD SEATS. LOOKUP ON BMW PARTS NUMBERS SHOW THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS THE SAME PART NUMBER ON SPORTS AND NON-SPORTS SEATS. NO REMEDY FROM BMW, INCLUDING CONTACT TO BMW USA (HAVE RECORD OF EMAILS, INCLUDING AN OFFER FOR A PHONE CALL I NEVER RECEIVED).
Air bags, Mar 7, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Feb 16, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 13, 2017
SINCE I GOT THIS CAR MY OIL WAS LEAKING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE VAL COVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MUCH THAT COST ME. MY STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS REPLACED AND IT COST ME 1,181.07. I HAD MY BELT TENSIONER REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. IT COST ME $327.04. THIS WAS DONE 3/6/2015. A RECALL ON SRS AIR BAG. I STILL HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. BMW RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE OF EXHAUST LIFTERS AND ROLLER DRAG LEVERS WITH UPDATED UNIT TO ELIMINATE TICKING NOISE AT IDLE WHICH WILL COST ME 1,466.40. I NEED TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR, BELT, BATTERY AND THE CAR WON'T START. I FIXED THE BATTERY PROBLEM AND AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND PARKED THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MY BATTERY CONNECTION NEED TO BE REPLACE. COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL BMW. I WILL SPEND ABOUT 1,518.7 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Feb 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND NIELLO BMW (LOCAL SACRAMENTO DEALER) REFUSE TO RESPOND TO MY COMMUNICATIONS AS TO WHEN MY CAR WILL BE FIXED. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO BMW SERVICE CENTERS 3 TIMES (BMW DEALERSHIPS IN FORT WORTH, TX AND HOUSTON, TX) SINCE THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. TO DATE, I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY ANYONE FROM THOSE DEALERS OR BMW THAT MY CAR FELL INTO THE AFFECTED LOT. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED MY CAR IS INDEED PART OF THE RECALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE OR SATISFACTORY. WHEN ONE TAKES THEIR CAR TO ANY CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, MUCH LESS AN ACTUAL BMW DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER, THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT HE OR SHE WILL LEAVE WITH A SAFE CAR AND FULL UNDERSTANDING OF ANY PENDING RECALLS. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE FOR ME.
Air bags, Jan 19, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE FOR WHEN THE RECALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jan 17, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF UPDATED 09/06/2017*JS
Air bags, Jan 13, 2017
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR DRIVERS FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, RECALL CAMPAIGN # 16V-071 IN MARCH 2016. I WAS INFORMED BY BMW DEALER PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2016. ACCORDING TO DEALER THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS - PLEASE EXPEDITE THIS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.