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: electrical system
288 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 6, 2013
2007 BMW 335I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACTUATOR FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PERMANENTLY LOCK VEHICLE DOORS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION, HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR, BUT IT FAILED TO OPEN. THEN, HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR AS WELL. AFTER APPLYING ALL PRACTICAL OPTIONS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS USING THE MANUAL DOOR RELEASE, INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLE, AND USING THE CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND CLIMB OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2013
I WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE CUT OUT WITH NO ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE ENGINE DIED. IT RESTARTED AND I WENT HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER AND WOULD NOT START. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE BATTERY IN THE TRUNK HAD 12.60 VOLTS AND THE FUSES AT THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER/BOX HAD ONLY 2.80 VOLTS. WITH A SCREW DRIVER I MOVED THE LARGE RED BATTERY CABLE GOING TO THE BACK OF THE PDC AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON. I SUBSEQEUNTLY REMOVED THE PDC AND INSPECTED THE MAIN POWER LEAD. THE TERMINAL WAS CORRODED HAS A RELATIVELY LOOSE FIT AND JUST CLIPS TO THE BACK OF THE PDC, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LARGE GAUGE WIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 8, 2013
THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK; FROM THE EXTERIOR, ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. FROM THE INTERIOR, ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN BE OPENED; NONE OF THE OTHER 3 DOORS CAN BE OPENED MANUALLY OR BY USING THE UNLOCK BUTTONS EITHER ON THE DASH OR ON THE KEY. I THINK THAT THIS CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION-IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED, PASSENGERS WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE WINDOWS OR THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THIS COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE IN SOME ACCIDENT SITUATIONS. I SPOKE TO BMW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THAT THEY "PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS" TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 7, 2012
BATTERY SEEMED TO HAVE DRAINED...WHEN GIVEN A JUMP AND POWER WAS RESTORED, THE CAR HAD A THE STEERING LOCKED LIGHT UP RED. THE CAR TURNED ON FOR A FEW TIMES AND NOW IT DOESN'T TURN ON AT ALL. THERE SEEMS TO BE POWER IN THE CAR AS EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START NOTHING HAPPENS AND THE ONLY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS THE ONE OF THE STEERING LOCKED IN RED!!!! THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT!!! *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 4, 2012
I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I HAD TO SLIDE OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THERE IS A BMW SIB#: 51-19-07. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL GIVEN THE FACT OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE SAVED BOTH DOOR LOCKS THAT MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 18, 2012
MY 2007 BMW 328XI COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS FORCED TO "COAST" INTO A SIDE LANE ON A BUSY ROAD DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. SINCE THIS FIRST INCIDENT MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE - RECENTLY, MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. I FEEL AS IF THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS ISSUE SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON INCREDIBLY BUSY STREETS AND I COULD HAVE EASILY GOTTEN INTO SOME FORM OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 9, 2012
I OWN A 07 BMW 328XI, ON 10/03/12 I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND TRIED LOCKING IT AND ONLY TWO DOORS LOCKED. THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE FOB OR THE DOOR SWITCH LOCATED IN THE CAR. IN ORDER TO GET INTO CAR I HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE PASSENGERS SEAT AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GET OUT THE SAME HAD TO HAPPEN. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A ACTUATOR PROBLEM, SO ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO GET THE DOORS UNLOCKED TILL MY APPT. I MADE. HE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME NO AND UPON READING SOME FORUMS HE COULD HAVE SAID USE THE KEY HIDDEN IN THE FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR OR CHECK THE #57 FUSE WHICH CONTROLS THE LOCKS. UNFORTUNATELY, I PRETTY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY DEALER BECAUSE HE COULD HAVE POTENTLY PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, HE COULD HAVE TOLD ME THESE THINGS BUT HE CHOICE TO SAY NOTHING TO GET ME IN THERE. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH BMW'S AND COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF THE CAR WAS TO RUN OFF THE ROAD IN A BODY OF WATER AND THE PERSON HAS TO OVER SEATS TO GET BECAUSE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2012
KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK DOORS. VALET KEY GETS YOU INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR, BUT THE OTHER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS, EITHER BY PULLING THE HANDLE OR BY OPERATING THE INTERIOR UNLOCK SWITCH. IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MIGHT DISABLE THE DOOR UNLOCK FUNCTION, 3 OF THE 4 COULD NOT BE OPENED FOR EXIT PURPOSES. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 12, 2012
91 YEAR OLD PERSON COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, FUSE 57 FAILED AND ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED AND ALSO DOOR HANDLES AND KEY FOB WERE INOPERATIVE. BMW SHOULD HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, PEOPLE COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. WHAT A DISGRACE BMW! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2012
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK LIGHT ON MY 2007 BMW 328I COUPE COMES UP IN RED AND CAR WON'T START... INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT AFTER GETTING A JUMP START AND THE POWER FLICKERED OFF AND ON DIFFERENT FEATURES IN THE CAR THE CAR NEVER STARTED, THE KEY FOB KEPT BEING REJECTED FROM THE IGNITION BOX AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY WENT DEAD. I HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS AND LEFT IT SITTING OVER NIGHT. THE CAR WAS JUMP START AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND RADIO, LIGHTS, TRUNK, DOOR LOCKS, AND SEAT BELTS, ETC. APPEAR TO BE WORKING FINE ELECTRONICALLY BUT THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START... THE BRAKES FEEL TIGHT AND THE STEERING COLUMN IS TIGHT BUT CLICKS WHEN TURN LEFT AND RIGHT (FEELS SEMI-ENGAGED IF THAT'S POSSIBLE)... WAS WONDERING IF THE BATTERY IS JUST LOW AND DOESN'T TRIGGER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK? SHOULD WE DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND RECONNECT OR REPLACE TO SEE IF IT TRIGGERS THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK? THE ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT CAME UP YELLOW HOWEVER THE CAR STARTED IN THE PAST AFTER JUMP STARTING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I?M FORMALLY COMPLAINING IF THIS IS THE CASE FOR I?M TRYING TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY COSTLY REPAIRS SUCH AS REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN OR REPROGRAMMING IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE IF A KNOWN FIX IS AVAILABLE OR FAULTY PRODUCT IS THE CAUSE. I ALSO FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD :-/ *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 31, 2012
A COPY OF AN EMAIL TO BMW: I HAVE BEEN REASONABLY HAPPY WITH MY 2007 328I UNTIL THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS FAILED. I COULD NOT GET IN MY CAR EXCEPT WITH A KEY. I COULDN'T OPEN ANY DOOR EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S DOOR EVEN FROM THE INSIDE! IF I HAD AN EMERGENCY BOTH MY PASSENGERS AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MY PROBLEM WAS NOT AT ALL UNIQUE MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH FAILING ACTUATORS. WHAT TROUBLES ME IS NOT THE FAILURE OF A PART (THOUGH I DO EXPECT BETTER OF BMW), BUT THE FACT THAT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WAS POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED. MORE IMPORTANTLY, BMW HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH CORRECTIVE PARTS AND PROCEDURES SO, I AM TOLD THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, I COULD STILL FIND MYSELF TRAPPED IN MY CAR AFTER AN ACCIDENT. I EXPECTED BETTER WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BMW. I AM PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTED THAT BMW DOES NOT THINK ENOUGH OF ITS CUSTOMER'S SAFETY TO APPROPRIATELY ADDRESS AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE SO THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS MECHANICAL OVERRIDES OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PERHAPS YOU HAVE DECIDED, LIKE FORD DID 40 YEARS AGO WITH THE PINTO, THAT THE COSTS OF SETTLING A FEW WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS IS CHEAPER THAN CORRECTING A SAFETY DESIGN DEFECT. IN LIEU OF A PROACTIVE ACTION ON YOUR PART, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A KEYLESS IGNITION START AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY FAILED TO JUMP START. AFTER WAITING FORTY EIGHT HOURS THE ENGINE STARTED UPON ENGAGING THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS NO TROUBLE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 14, 2012
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. I WAS LITERALLY TRAPPED INSIDE MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT. DROVE VEHICLE HOME, HAD TO PUT DOWN WINDOW AND HAVE SOMEONE USE VALET KEY AT MY HOUSE TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR. NONE OF THE OTHER THREE PASSENGER DOORS CAN BE UNLOCKED. LUCKILY NO PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. WAS TOLD THERE IS A TSB RELATED TO THIS, HOWEVER IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS CONSIDERED "SAFE" WHEN IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THEIR CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEAT, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET THEM OUT. BMW IS AWARE THAT THE ACTUATORS ARE PULLING TOO MUCH CURRENT THROUGH THE FUSES AND THAT THE ACTUATORS NEED REPLACED. THEY ARE MAKING TONS OF MONEY OFF OF CHARGING PEOPLE TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN AVOID HAVING REPAIRED UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO GAMBLE ON YOUR OWN LIFE OR THOSE OF FAMILY/FRIENDS WHO MAY BE IN YOUR VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE AS A RESULT. I FIND IT QUITE ABSURD THAT THE NHTSA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED? JUST BECAUSE I DRIVE A USED BMW DOES NOT MEAN I HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED, YET I'VE GOT TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE BACKSEAT OF THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED, OBVIOUSLY IT APPEARS THAT NEITHER BMW NOR THE NHTSA SEEM TO CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY OR THAT OF ANY OF THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF BMW OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2012
A BLOWN FUSE CAUSED THE DOOR UNLOCKING MECHANISM TO FAIL, TRAPPING OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR. THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED BY ANY MEANS, AS THE FAILURE ALSO DISABLED THE NORMAL MECHANISM BY WHICH PULLING ON AN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RELEASED THE ASSOCIATED LOCK. THE SOLE EXCEPTION IS THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR COULD BE OPENED BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW, AND REACHING OUT AWKWARDLY THROUGH THE WINDOW TO THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WITH THE MECHANICAL AUXILIARY KEY. HOWEVER, THE ONLY EXIT AVAILABLE TO BACKSEAT PASSENGERS WAS THROUGH THE WINDOWS, ASSUMING THE PASSENGERS WERE SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT THROUGH THEM. NEITHER OF THESE MODES OF EGRESS WOULD BE SATISFACTORY IF EXIT NEEDED TO BE QUICK. FORTUNATELY, THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY WHILE THE CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR FIRE THAT REQUIRED RAPID EVACUATION OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THIS WOULD BE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IDEALLY, THE LOCKS SHOULD BE MECHANICALLY LINKED TO THE DOOR HANDLES SO THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WOULD NOT RENDER IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. ABSENT THAT, AT LEAST HAVING INDIVIDUAL FUSES FOR EACH LOCK ACTUATOR WOULD LEAVE THREE FUNCTIONING DOORS IF ONE FAILED. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2012
THE KEY FOB DID NOT UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS NOR DID THE CENTRAL CONTROL BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR UNLOCK THE DOORS. ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR COULD OPEN FROM INSIDE THE CAR. NO OTHER DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WITH THIS MALFUNCTION. FOUND OUT A FUSE WENT BAD CREATING THE PROBLEM. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2012, fire
I DROVE MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES THEN GOT HOME AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. 10 MINUTES LATER I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND MY CAR IS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT. STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 6, 2012
SUDDENLY ALL 3 DOORS (EXCEPT ONE PASSENGER DOOR) FAIL TO UNLOCK AND EVEN THE INSIDE DOOR KNOB WOULDN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BUT BMW WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT HAPPENS, AND MY WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 29, 2012
WATER PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 5MPH. POSTINGS ONLINE SHOW THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE (POSSIBLE RECALL ISSUE LIKE THE FUEL PUMP). CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR $1033. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 24, 2012
2007 328I -- I WAS DRIVING THRU MY NEIGBORHOOD IN NYC AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY; NO POWER, NO BRAKES, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AT ALL.. AND THE THING IS NO WARNINGS EVER SHOWED UP.. I HOPE EVERYONE WHO'S HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS REPORTS THEM TO BWM BECAUSE THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I'M LUCKY I WAS DRIVING LOCALLY AND THERE WEREN'T ANY CARS AROUND BECAUSE IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED DRIVING A CAR. HOPE BMW STEPS UP BEFORE SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS, LIKE TOYOTA HAD THEM. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 12, 2012
MODEL: 2007 BMW 328I. THE ELECTRONIC "DOOR ACTUATORS" FAILED. AS A RESULT, IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN ANY DOOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSIDE, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S DOOR. WHEN THESE ELECTRONIC DOOR ACTUATORS FAIL, PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP (WEATHERFORD BMW, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA) EXPLAINED THAT HE NEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED A BULLETIN REGARDING THIS (MEANING THIS IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" TO BMW WITH THIS MODEL CAR! MY QUESTION WAS IF BMW HAS RECEIVED MAJOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, WHY WOULD"NT IT BE RECALLED...HE ADVISED ME THAT ARE NORMALLY PERTAINED TO "SAFETY", WE"LL WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THIS SITUATION...SAFE? $900.00 WAS MY QUOTE TO HAVE THIS FIXED! RIDICULOUS!!! WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THIS DEFECT BE INVESTIGATED, AND THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BE RECALLED SO THAT THE DEFECT CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE DEATHS OR INJURIES OCCUR. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 27, 2012
THE RECALL ANNOUNCED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES TODAY (HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2012/03/26/BMW-RECALLS-NEARLY-1-3-MILLION-VEHICLES-WORLDWIDE-FOR-BATTERY-CABLE-FLAW/?NL=AUTOMOBILES&EMC=EDIT_WS_20120327) ANNOUNCING A RECALL OF 6-SERIES AND 5-SERIES BMWS ALSO POTENTIALLY AFFECTED 2007 3-SERIES BMWS AS WELL. AT ABOUT 31000 MILES, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A LOOSE BATTERY CONNECTION. THE BATTERY HAD NEVER BEEN CHANGED/REMOVED, SO IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD A CONNECTION ISSUE. JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW SO IF 3-SERIES COMPLAINTS ARE COMMON YOU OPEN UP THE INVESTIGATION TO EXPLORE THE ISSUE IN 3-SERIES DESIGNS.... I WAS LUCKY, CAUGHT IT BEFORE DAMAGE/FIRE OCCURRED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 18, 2012
MY 2007 BMW 335I BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER DURING A DRIVE DOWN A STEEP GRADE. A BATTERY NOT CHARGING ERROR WOULD APPEAR ON DASH SHORTLY AFTER... HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND NEEDING TO BREAK HARD ON A TURN TO AVOID HITTING A DEAD ANIMAL ON THE ROAD I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND THEN HEARD A NOISE THIS NOISE I DISCOVERED LATER IN THE DAY WAS MY POWER STEERING BELT BREAKING. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING WENT OFF THE ROAD OUT OFF CONTROL DUE TO LOSE OF POWER STEERING AND ALMOST HIT A BIKE RIDER AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO GOING OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD. LATER THAT DAY I DECIDED TO GOOGLE MY PROBLEM AND SEE IF THERE WOULD BE AN EASY FIX TO THIS PROBLEM. I DISCOVERED THERE IS NOT AN EASY FIX FOR A BROKEN BELT ON MY MODAL OF CAR. I DISCOVERED THIS IS COMMON ON MANY BMW MODELS AND BMW IS AWARE OF IT SEE SIB 11-09-08. I QUICKLY DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. BMW KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT RECALLED ANY CARS. THERE DOCUMENTATION OF THE PROBLEM IS UNDER SIB 11-09-08. I WILL BE BRINGING MY CAR BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVE AND HOPE THEY FOLLOW THE SIB 11-09-08 WHICH NOTES NEW STYLE SUB FRAME REPLACEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED. I BELIEVE AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE MADE REGARDING POWER STEERING BELTS BREAKING. THESE BELTS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING UNDER THE CONDITION I WAS DRIVING AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE TO SEE THIS RESOLVED SOON BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. AT THIS TIME I DON'T FEEL THE CAR WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 5, 2012
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE: FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED DISALLOWING EXIT FROM ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. PASSENGERS COULD ONLY EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED BY USING THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOORHANDLES. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISALLOWED ANY UNLOCKING OF THESE THREE DOORS AS WELL. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DURING THIS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE. DURING THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. CAR WAS TAKEN TO BMW DEALER (PASSPORT) FOR REPAIR AND WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS SAID IT IS UNFORTUNATE BUT ALL CARS WITH ELECTRONIC LOCKS RESPOND THIS WAY WHEN THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM FAILS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2012
MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP ON ME OUT OF THE BLUE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. BMW DEALER IN RALEIGH NC (LEITH BMW ON CAPITAL BLVD) SAID THAT TO FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 19, 2012
CAR WAS PARKED, AND WHEN KEY FAB WAS USED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ENTER THE CAR THE LOCKS DID NOT WORK. ONLY WHEN THE EMERGENCY KEY WAS USED DID THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN MANUALLY. NO OTHER DOORS WOULD OPEN LOCKING ANY PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED CHANGE OF FUSES WHICH WAS DONE AND DID NOT SOLVE THE DOOR LOCK PROBLEM. THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM WAS STILL NOT WORKING. DEALER RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE DOOR ACTUATORS FOR $3000 EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. CENTRAL LOCKING ALSO CAUSED THE GAS CAP TO REMAIN LOCKED AND POSSIBLY STRANDING THE DRIVER AT THE GAS STATION. *TR