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, Seat belts, Jan 26, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FASTEN SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 16, 2014
A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD CAME UP SAYING THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. *TR
Air bags, Nov 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
SAME AS THIS PERSON PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000. MY VEHICLE MATCHES THE CRITERIA EXACTLY. SPORT SEATS. YET BMW CLAIMS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO VIN. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS A FLOOD OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE YET THEY ARE ALL BEING DENIED BY BMW EVEN THOUGH THEIR VEHICLES FIT THE EXACT PROFILE OF THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Nov 7, 2014
PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000. MY VEHICLE MATCHES THE CRITERIA EXACTLY. SPORT SEATS. YET BMW CLAIMS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO VIN. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS A FLOOD OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE YET THEY ARE ALL BEING DENIED BY BMW EVEN THOUGH THEIR VEHICLES FIT THE EXACT PROFILE OF THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Oct 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 16, 2014
THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL LISTING MY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED BMWUSA AND A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP WITH BOTH CLAIMING MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND VEHICLE PRODUCTION DATE IS SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS LISTED OR WHY BMW IS NOT ASSISTING FURTHER. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MODEL YEARS 1999-2006. THE CONSUMER FEELS 2007 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. UPDATED 4/20/2015 *JS
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Sep 6, 2014
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION - WARNING ERROR IS ON AFTER MULTIPLES BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. AIRBAG IS NO LONGER WORKING SINCE THIS WARNING IS ON. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION WARMING ARE ON BUT STILL WORKING/ON. THE RIGHT REAR NIGHT LIGHT IS NOT WORKING BUT NO WARNING ERROR MESSAGE. WE CHANGED THE BULB BUT STILL NOT WORKING... PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Air bags, Sep 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 27, 2014
FAULT CODE "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" APPEARS ON THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT THE CODE IS FAULTY. CODE COULD AFFECT THE PASSENGER IF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 27, 2014
AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS, YET APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN. THE DISABLED PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND CLEARLY MY VIN SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Aug 5, 2014
PERSON KNEELED ON PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SEAT RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS PART IS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR SOME 2007 BMW'S BUT NOT MY VIN. *TR
Air bags, Aug 4, 2014
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
Air bags, Aug 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 1, 2014
PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILED (CODE 93C3), DISABLING POTENTIAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. APPARENTLY THIS PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE EXPAND THIS RECALL. BMW HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER THE RECALL, SO WE PAID NEARLY $1,200 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY OC3 MAT. *TR
Air bags, Engine, Jul 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAT SENSOR SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000....UPDATED 09-05-14 *BF UPDATED 12/18/2014 *JS
Air bags, Jul 14, 2014
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. NOT PART OF THE RECALL? NOT THE SPECIFIC TO THE VIN? BMW DEALER SAID IT THE SEAT PAN CUSHIN? DIFFERENT PART? IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR
Air bags, Jul 2, 2014
THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE MODEL (2007 BMW 328I) FOR CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE "FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT". THIS CAUSES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED DURING A CRASH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000). I CALLED BMW AND THEY SAY THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I REALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED WHEN MY EXACT MODEL IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS EXACTLY THE SAME. I FEEL THIS IS VERY UNFAIR. PLEASE HELP ME OUT HERE. I FEAR THE WORST BECAUSE NOW I AM MARRIED AND I HAVE A PASSENGER MORE OFTEN THAN BEFORE. I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD $1000 RIGHT NOW TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 26, 2014
WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SO WE TOOK THE CARE TO A TECHNICIAN WHO FOUND THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODE: "-93C3 SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR, PASSENGER, CURRENTLY PRESENT, 95X0". THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS, THEY STATED: "THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC REGARDING OUR AMENDED VOLUNTARY RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT FOR CERTAIN 2006-2007 MODELS DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. INCLUDED 3 SERIES ARE 2006-2007 3 SERIES SEDANS WITH SPORTS SEATS THAT WERE PRODUCED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2005 ' SEPTEMBER 2006. RECALLS ARE SPECIFIC TO A VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) BASED ON THE ABOVE CRITERIA, AND <MY VIN> DOES NOT HAVE THIS RECALL. I SUGGEST CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE SERVICE TEAM AT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER TO REVIEW ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE WITH YOUR VEHICLE." CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND CONSIDER MORE VEHICLES FOR THIS RECALL? ALSO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE FOR REIMBURSEMENT IF I GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT MY OWN COST. THANK YOU! *TR
Air bags, Jun 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,338. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 8/29/2014 *JS
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 17, 2014
BMW RECALL DATED 11/12/2013, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. RECALL UP TO 76,565 UNITS FOR FAILURES OF FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT. AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED BMW AND TOLD MY VIN DOES NOT FALL INTO BMW RANGE BUT I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE EXACT FAILURE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED IN 10/2013. BMW HAS LIKELY NOT IDENTIFIED THE TRUE VIN RANGE OF VEHICLES IMPACTED BY DEFECTIVE OCCUPANCY MATS AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jun 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPERATE OCASSIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,900.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/16/2014 *JS
Air bags, May 14, 2014
THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON MY 2007 BMW 328I IS MALFUNCTIONING. IT MATCHES THE EXACT DESCRIPTION AS THE RECALL AND OTHER FILED COMPLAINTS. HOWEVER, BMW INSISTS THAT MY VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *TR