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, Jan 5, 2017
TL* 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 THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Engine, Jan 4, 2017
THIS IS STILL NOT RESOLVE AND I AM LOOKING COOLANT AND THERE IS NOT ANSWER OTHER THAN TO REPLACE. IT COSTING ME TO MUCH TO KEEP REVIEWING THIS ISSUE , I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE FOR FREE
Air bags, Dec 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR 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 04/05/17* LJ *CN
Air bags, Dec 19, 2016
TL* 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, Dec 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: BMW HAS FAILED TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 1 YEAR SINCE WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS IS OUR PRIMARY CAR AND IT IS DANGEROUS FOR US TO BE DRIVING IT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Nov 16, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACT THE BMW CENTER TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS, ITS BEEN MORE THAN 9 MONTHS.
Air bags, Nov 3, 2016
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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 1, 2016
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Oct 28, 2016
MANY MONTHS AGO A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2007 BMW 3281I CARS. NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS SPRING (2016) I CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT HAD HEARD NOTHING FROM BMW. IS NHTSA MONITORING BMW? IF NOT, WHY NOT? IT'S NOT BEYOND THE REALM FOR BOTH PARTIES TO HOPE THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE FORGOTTEN ABOUT AND IT WILL GO AWAY. MY DEALER IS BMW OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. BOTH DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR NEED TO BE TOLD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECALL.
Air bags, Oct 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - RECALL ISSUED FEBRUARY 2016. CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 TO CHECK STATUS OF RECALL AND OBTAIN RESOLUTION. REQUESTED REPLACEMENT PARTS BE EXPEDITED AND BMW AGREED. BUSINESS WAS TO CALL ME TO PROVIDE DETAILS ON EXPECTED DATE BMW OF SAN DIEGO WOULD RECEIVE PARTS. NEVER RECEIVED A CALL. I CALLED BACK 3 DAYS LATER AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH NO RETURN CALL. ON 10/24/16 I CALLED BMW OF NA TO OBTAIN AN UPDATE. WAS TOLD THE CASE WAS STILL OPEN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPEDITED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF INITIAL CALL. I REQUESTED AN ALTERNATIVE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND WAS TOLD SOMETIMES THEY CAN GET AUTHORIZATION FOR A LOANER CAR, SO MY CASE WAS ESCALATED TO A CASE MANAGER. RECEIVED A CALL SAME DAY AND WAS NOW TOLD THEY RAN OUT OF PARTS AND MAY GET PARTS EARLY 2017! ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REQUIRE BMW TO DO SO. THE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT FAIL, BUT RESEARCH WAS DONE THAT FAILURE IS NOT LIKELY. SO TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR. I'M RECEIVING THE RUN AROUND WITH A DIFFERENT ANSWER EACH TIME. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE THAT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG MAY FAIL. BMW IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RECALL OR ANY "PROMISES" THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE DONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY OTHER COMPANIES SUCH AS TOYOTA AND HONDA ARE CONCERNED FOR THEIR CLIENTS AND PROVIDE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO ENSURE SAFETY. THEIR RISKY AIR BAGS ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH AT LEAST GIVES YOU THE OPTION TO DRIVE ALONE. BMW FAULTY AIR BAGS ARE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY AND MINE. I EXPECT RESOLUTION AND BMW HAS PROVIDED NOTHING BUT EXCUSES AND DIFFERENT STORIES EACH TIME. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IN HANDLING THIS MAJOR RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Oct 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER HARD BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2016
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 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, Oct 18, 2016
I WAS TOLD BY BMW CINCINNATI NORTH MY AIR BAG WAS REPLACED OVER 30 DAYS AGO. YOUR DATABASE SHOWS IT WAS NOT. ANOTHER BMW DEALER RECENTLY TOLD ME THAT MY AIR BAG WAS NOT REPLACED. BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS NOT RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION. THEY SIMPLY STATED, NHTSA RECORDS MAY NOT BE UPDATED YET.
Air bags, Oct 11, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW WAS ISSUED IN MARCH OF 2016. AS OF OCTOBER 11TH, 2016, BMW NORTH AMERICA LLC. STILL CAN NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THEY HAVE NOT REMEDIED THE SITUATION AT ALL AND WILL NOT OFFER ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO HELP CUSTOMERS WITH THE POTENTIALLY DEATH CAUSING AIRBAG EXPLOSIONS. BMW NORTH AMERICA LLC IS ACTING IN BAD FAITH, ALLOWING AND INSTRUCTING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO CONTINUE DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES WHILE BEING AWARE THAT THEY COULD CAUSE DEATH TO THE DRIVER. (SOURCE - PHONE CALL WITH RECALL CAMPAIGN ESCALATION MANAGER FOR BMW NORTH AMERICA)
Air bags, Oct 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Sep 27, 2016
TAKATA RECALL DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL, GIVES MISLEADING INFORMATION, AND CONTRADICTS INFORMATION FROM BMW USA. ADVANTAGE BMW (MID-TOWN) 2101 SAN JACINTO ST HOUSTON, TX I ORIGINALLY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN MARCH 2016 REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT NO PARTS/FIX WAS AVAILABLE AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED SHORTLY WHEN MY CAR COULD BE SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT. I FOLLOWED UP WITH THEM ON MAY 18TH AFTER THEIR WERE MULTIPLE DEATHS IN THE REGION REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. SINCE THEN I'VE CONTACTED ADVANTAGE ON 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, AND MULTIPLE TIMES IN AUG/SEP. EACH TIME I WOULD BE "ADDED TO THE LIST FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER" THOUGH EACH TIME THEY CAN'T FIND MY NAME ON THE LIST. I FINALLY CONTACTED BMW USA ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING AND WAS CONTACTED BY THEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD PROVIDE INTERIM PARTS BUT THAT THIS WOULD CLOSE OUT THE RECALL AND I WOULD BE UNABLE FOR THE FINAL REPAIR. I TOLD THEM THIS WASN'T ACCEPTABLE AND THEY TOLD ME TO REQUEST A LOANER VEHICLE FROM ADVANTAGE BMW. I DID THIS AND IT TOOK A WEEK FOR THE SERVICE DIRECTOR TO GET BACK TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. I ASKED IF THESE WERE FINAL OR INTERIM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT BMW USA TO FIND OUT. AFTER NOT HEARING BACK FROM THEM, I CONTACTED BMW USA TO CONFIRM THEY WERE INTERIM, WHICH THEY WERE. WHEN I TOLD THIS TO ADVANTAGE BMW THEY TOLD ME TO COME IN FOR A RENTAL CAR. I CAME IN, WASTING A DAY OF MY TIME, WAS FORCED TO FILL OUT ALL OF THE PAPERWORK AND THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE WAS REFUSED A RENTAL VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY SAID I WAS FORCED TO USE THE INTERIM PARTS. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WHO WORKED FOR YEARS IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY FAMILY AROUND IN A BMW. AFTER THE RECENT DEATHS I'M VERY CONCERNED BY THE LACK OF ACTION AND THE RUN-AROUND I AM BEING GIVEN.
Air bags, Sep 26, 2016
GOT MY RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016, IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS OF DRIVING WITH A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING ISSUE AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER AIR BAG REPLACED. LOOKING FOR AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016
TAKATA RECALL UPON RECEIVING THE INITIAL LETTER INFORMING ME OF MY CAR HAVING THE TAKATA RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR (2016), I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR BMW TO INFORM ME WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER, I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE WITH BMW USA AND IT STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE. AFTER SEEING ONLINE THAT THE REMEDY WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE OPEN RECALL ON MY VEHICLE I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS VIA EMAIL REQUESTING FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM. SO I CONTACT THE HOTLINE AND SPOKE WITH A LADY NAMED JESSICA ON 9-20-16, SHE STATED THAT THE WEBSITE WAS GIVING ME WRONG INFORMATION, THAT IN FACT THE PARTS TO FIX MY CAR WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT IT COULD TAKE UP TO DECEMBER OF 2016 BEING THE EARLIEST IT COULD BE FIXED, OR WELL INTO 2017. THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, IF I GET INTO A SMALL FENDER BENDER, I COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE MY AIRBAG DEPLOY AND CAUSE SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH UPON ME OR A PASSENGER. I WAS TOLD THE GULF STATES (HIGH HUMMIDTY AREAS) WOULD BE AMONG THE FIRST REGIONS TO HAVE THESE VEHICLES FIXED, I LIVE IN MOBILE, AL. THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY IN MY CITY TYPICALLY RANGES FROM 45% (COMFORTABLE) TO 94% (VERY HUMID) OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, RARELY DROPPING BELOW 23% (DRY) AND REACHING AS HIGH AS 100% (VERY HUMID). ON AVERAGE IT COULD BE AROUND 86% HUMIDITY BY 6 AM AND 56% HUMIDITY BY 3 PM. WE HAVE A WARM HUMID TEMPERATURE CLIMATE WITH VERY HOT SUMMERS AND NO DRY SEASON... WHY HAS MY VEHICLE NOT BEEN FIXED YET WITH ME RESIDING IN A LARGELY KNOWN HUMID CITY? I WAS TOLD BY JESSICA WITH BMW THAT I WOULD BE PUT TO THE TOP OF THE PRIORITY LIST WITHIN THEIR DATABASE FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE FIXED AND THAT A CASE WORKER WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH ME..I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET. THIS ISSUE MUST BE FIXED ASAP BEFORE MYSELF OR SOMEONE GETS HURT
Air bags, Sep 20, 2016
RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH 2016. SIX MONTHS LATER AND THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG.
Air bags, Sep 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. 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, Sep 8, 2016
TAKATA RECALL WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NEED FOR INSTALLATION OF NEW AIRBAGS IN MARCH 2016. WE WENT INTO DEALER 2X BUT NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. IT IS SIX MONTHS LATER, AND STILL WE HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION THAT REPLACEMENT FOR FAULTY AIRBAG IS AVAILABLE. THIS COULD RESULT IN FATAL CONSEQUENCES, THE OFFICIAL NOTICE FROM BMW STATED. THE DELAY IS DANGEROUS AND UNCONSCIONABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 5, 2016
BMW SAID THEY REPLACED AND FIXED THE AIR BAG ISSUE AND BATTERY CABLE (POSITIVE) RECALL. IT'S BEEN OVER 2 WEEKS AND I JUST SEARCHED ON SAFERCAR.GOV AND THEY BOTH STILL SHOW AS OPEN ISSUES. DID BMW LIE?
Air bags, Aug 31, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN SALT LAKE AFTER ABOUT A YEAR FROM THE FIRST NOTICE RECEIVED.