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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 12, 2012, fire
AFTER BEING SERVICE BY DEALER FOR 4 DAYS WHICH INCLUDED THE REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHICH SEEM TO BE RELATED TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HEAVY TOXIC SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTILATOR OF AC SYSTEM. I IMMEDIATELY STEP OUT OF THE CAR AND IN A FEW MINUTES SMOKE AND FLAMES LOCATED IN THE ENGINE IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SEAT BURN THE CAR. FLAMES AND BLACK PLASTIC WERE COMING ALSO UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT RIGHT IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SEAT. DEALER QUOTED $25000 FOR REPAIR AND INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT TOTAL LOSS. CAR WAS DELIVERED TO DEALER WHO HAS KEPT IT FOR A MONTH, ENGINEER FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA CAME AND INSPECTED BUT NO REPORT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THEM OR DEALER. THIS COMPANY HAS NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF CONSUMERS AND SHOULD BE PENALIZE. AFTER HAVING OWNED SIX BMW'S I FEEL THESE AUTOS ARE NOT SAFE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 28, 2011
CAR LOCKS BUT THEN WILL NOT UNLOCK, I HAVE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR. PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE, THE FUSE KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE FUSE TWICE IN 3 MONTHS. I HAVE LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THE 2007 BMW 328XI. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THE THOUGHT OF SOMETHING HAPPENING WHERE WE ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR FRIGHTENS ME. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 4, 2011
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED ON ALL FOUR DOORS WITH NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE. KEY FOB AND CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM BUTTON INSIDE CAR WOULD NOT UNLOCK ANY DOOR. DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN BY PULLING ON INTERIOR DOOR LATCH HANDLES. THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER/EXIT VEHICLE WAS BY USING KEY ON EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, OR THROUGH THE WINDOWS. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINGLE POINT EGRESS FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN UNNECESSARY INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. I REPLACED THE BLOWN 15A FUSE (#57) WITH A 20A FUSE PER SI B51 19 07 TWICE. FIRST FUNCTIONAL TEST BY PRESSING THE CENTRAL LOCK SYSTEM BUTTON RESULTED IN THE NEW FUSE BLOWING IMMEDIATELY EACH TIME. FURTHER TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR WILL BE NECESSARY TO RESOLVE ISSUE (LIKELY BY REPLACING FAULTY ELECTRO/MECHANICAL DOOR LATCH/LOCK/ACTUATOR MECHANISM). *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 15, 2011
DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN ON 3 OF THE DOORS; HAD TO CRAWL FROM BACKSEAT TO FRONT SEAT TO START CAR. ONCE GOT HOME, HAD TO CRAWL BACK OUT VIA THE BACK SEAT. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SAFETY CONDITION DUE TO IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT, MYSELF NOR MY PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN, WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ESCAPE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL BMW DEALER AND HE STATED THIS WAS NOT THE "1ST" TIME HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. APPROXIMATE COST IS BETWEEN $700 TO $1,000 TO FIX. CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ARE INVESTIGATING ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2011
USING THE KEY REMOTE WOULD ONLY LOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THEN WHEN USING THE KEY REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, THE LIGHTS FLASH AND THE LOCK "CLICKS" BUT THE DRIVER'S LOCK WOULDN'T UNLOCK. I USED THE METAL KEY IN THE KEY FOB TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR AND TRIED IT ALL OVER AGAIN. SAME THING HAPPENED...KEY REMOTE WOULD LOCK ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK...KEY REMOTE TO UNLOCK WOULD FLASH THE LIGHTS BUT NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR...REQUIRING ME TO USE THE PHYSICAL KEY IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THINKING THAT THE CAR WAS NOT REGISTERING THAT THE OTHER THREE DOORS WERE NOT LOCKED, I PHYSICALLY LOCKED THE DOORS WHILE INSIDE THE CAR BY DEPRESSING THE LOCKS ON THE TOP OF EACH DOOR. BAD IDEA! NOTHING WOULD WORK TO UNLOCK THE CAR (WITH ME INSIDE!)...UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY REMOTE...NOPE...LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DASH NEAR THE VENTS...NOPE....PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLES OF ALL THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE (MULTIPLE TIMES)...NOPE. ULTIMATELY, TO GET MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR I HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND USED THE PHYSICAL KEY IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ONLY. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR FAILED ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE AND NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR. THE FAILURE ALSO PREVENTED THE DOOR TO THE FUEL TANK FROM BEING OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 5, 2011
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR HAVE QUICK WORKING AND THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER OR EXIT THE CAR IS THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR USING THE MANUAL KEY FOB. PASSENGER DOORS ARE INOPERABLE FROM BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 29, 2011
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, TWO PEOPLE WERE IN THE CAR. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT HAVING DOORS WHICH CAN OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR COULD PROVE DEADLY IN AN ACCIDENT. A LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC BY THE OWNER OF THIS CAR IN THIS REPORT AND THEIR RESPONSE ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2011 WAS, "WE HAVE NO RESPONSE." *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 23, 2011
THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, BUT THE CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY DESPITE THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAYING THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I THOUGHT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE LIGHT, UNTIL I TRIED TO START MY CAR ONE MORNING. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, AND I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMPLEX PROBLEM AS BMW DEALER MECHANICS CAN ONLY TELL ME THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY WILL NOT TELL ME WHY IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ESTIMATES FOR REPAIR HAVE BEEN BETWEEN $1300 AND $1800 DEPENDING ON THE DEALER. I UNDERSTAND THAT CARS BREAK DOWN BUT, AFTER VISITING BMW FORUMS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS PLAIN TO SEE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT BMW REFUSES TO FIX. ONE POSTING DID INDICATE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT, IN MY CASE, THE CAR WAS PARKED. THIS DEFECT DOES POSE TO CAR OWNERS A GREAT INCONVENIENCE WITH POSSIBLE UNSAFE CONSEQUENCES DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE CAR OWNER GETTING STRANDED. FURTHERMORE, ONCE STRANDED, THE OWNER HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO GET IT TOWED MOST LIKELY TO A BMW DEALERSHIP AND PAY THE LARGE REPAIR BILL. (I TRIED AN INDY BMW SPECIALIST FIRST. HE COULD NOT FIX IT OR EVEN DETERMINE WHY IT WAS OCCURRING.) I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPE THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA WILL REVEAL THAT BMW HAS LET A KNOWN DEFECT PERSIST. ONCE THAT IS DISCOVERED, BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THE DEFECT AND REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 17, 2011
MY DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK (WITH BOTH THE REMOTE ENTRY AND THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH LOCATED IN THE CAR) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR USING THE MANUAL KEY TURN. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS, UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 11, 2011
DOORS REMAINED IN LOCKED POSITION AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO REMOTE ON FOB OR CENTRAL DOOR CONTROL INTERNALLY. DRIVER, PASSENGER, AND REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN MANUALLY ONCE DOOR LATCH DEPRESSED. DRIVER DOOR ONLY OPENED THROUGH WINDOW TO ALLOW PASSENGERS IN FRONT AND REAR SEATS TO EXIT. OBVIOUSLY, VERY DIFFICULT TO EXIT. AFTER INITIAL INCIDENT, NO PASSENGERS COULD RIDE IN CAR UNTIL ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. *KB
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2011
I HAVE A 2007 328XI THAT CURRENTLY HAS 51,000 MILES. IT IS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY LOCKS IN THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THE LOCKS PREVIOUSLY FAILED AROUND 30,000 MILES AND WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW OUT OF WARRANTY I WILL BE LEFT TO FOOT THE BILL MYSELF. IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR USING THE KEY FOB OR THE BUTTON ON THE DASH. I FOUND MYSELF LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE VALET KEY. THE WINDOWS AND TRUNK WORKS, BUT THE LOCKS DO NOT. WHEN I PRESS THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB AND DASH, I HEAR AN AUDIBLE SOUND AS THE CAR IS TRYING TO LOCK/UNLOCK BUT THE ACTUATORS IN THE DOORS DO NOT FUNCTION. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE FOR ANY REASON. PLEASE INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL IMMEDIATELY. BMW ENGINEERS MUST DESIGN NEW LOCKING SYSTEM COMPONENTS THAT ARE NOT DEFECTIVE AND DO NOT FAIL EVERY 20,000 MILES. *TT
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ONLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED, CAUSING ALL THE OTHER DOORS TO REMAIN LOCKED AND INOPERABLE. UPDATED 12/07/11
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2011
BMW 2007 328 XI DOOR LOCK FUSE #57 BLEW. NONE OF THE INTERIOR DOORS WOULD OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. I HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, USE THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I THEN HAD TO PULL MY KIDS FROM THE CAR THROUGH THE WINDOWS AS THE OTHER THREE OF THE FOUR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. FORGET THE TOYOTA "ACCELERATOR"; THIS SEEMS LIKE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 11, 2011
THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB. ONLY WAY TO ENTER WAS WITH THE KEY INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE OTHER DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE, BOTH BY USING THE HANDLE AND THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DASH. APPARENTLY, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE DRAWING MORE CURRENT FLOW AND BURNING THE 15A FUSE INSTALLED. A BMW SB SAYS TO REPLACE WITH A 20A FUSE, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION, IN THAT NO PASSENGER(S) CAN EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND NOBODY, SUCH AS EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, CAN ENTER FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE FUSE ISN'T THE ANSWER, BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD DEAL WITH IT IN A MANNER THAT PROMOTES SAFETY OF PASSENGERS, NOT PROFITS FOR THE DEALERS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 8, 2011
MY DOORS HAVE LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE TO USE THE INTERNAL KEY FROM THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE OTHER DOORS WILL NOT EVEN UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE CAR. ALSO IF YOU PLAN ON HAVING ANY PASSENGERS THEY ALL HAVE TO GET IN THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR, IF IN AN ACCIDENT THEY HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVER DOOR, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND WAS EXPENSIVE TO FIX! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 4, 2011
2007 BMW 328I KEY FOB NO LONGER LOCKS/UNLOCKS ALL DOORS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN TWICE ALREADY. IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT OR IF PASSENGERS WERE IN THE CAR, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE CAR WINDOWS. ONLY THE MANUAL KEY OPENS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 1, 2011
REGULAR USAGE. ONE DAY, THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM SIMPLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE WAY OF UNLOCKING THE PASSENGER DOORS AFTER THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM DIED. *KB
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 19, 2011
THE POWER LOCKS IN MY 2007 BMW 328XI SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE ALARM ARMS/DISARMS WITH THE USUAL BUTTON PRESSES, BUT THERE IS OTHERWISE NOTHING THAT TAKES PLACE. OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE VALET KEY UNLOCKS FRONT, DRIVER-SIDE DOOR -- DIDN'T TEST PASSENGER'S -- THE FUEL DOOR REMAINS LOCKED. I HAVE A BUSINESS TRIP PLANNED EARLY IN THE MORNING. THE SAVING GRACE IS THAT I DIDN'T ENCOUNTER THIS FUEL DOOR FIASCO ON I-95 IN SOME BACKWOODS TOWN, BUT WOW... HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL?!?!?! I SEE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE! DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE FIRST? WOW! *KB
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 13, 2011
MY DOORS HAVE LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITHOUT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE TO USE THE INTERNAL KEY FROM THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO UNLOCK ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2011
IN JUNE OF 2011 MY BMW328I HAD INTERMITTENT START. I SENT THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IN FREMONT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AGAIN, AFTER TESTING IT WAS DETERMINED BY FREMONT DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. AFTER CABLE REPLACEMENT, TODAY PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2011
COMPONENT: LOCKING SYSTEM DRIVER-SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN USING THE REMOTE ON THE KEY. REPLACED BLOWN FUSE. A DAY LATER SAME PROBLEM SURFACED, ONLY THIS TIME ALL 4 DOORS ARE NOT UNLOCKING (FIRST PUSH OF THE BUTTON ON THE REMOTE SHOULD UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR ONLY; SECOND PUSH OF BUTTON UNLOCKS THE OTHER 3 PASSENGER DOORS. REPLACED TWO BLOWN FUSES (#56 AND #57). PROBLEM IS RESOLVED, BUT ONLY FOR A DAY OR TWO. LONG-TERM FIX IS TO REPLACE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON ALL FOUR DOORS ACCORDING TO BMW'S OWN SERVICE BULLETIN. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO OPEN MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM. IN MY CASE, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR BY PULLING THE HANDLE ONCE TO UNLOCK, AND A SECOND TIME TO OPEN. THIS PROCEDURE DID NOT WORK ON ANY OTHER DOOR. I HAVE PURCHASED AN EMERGENCY HAMMER TO BREAK THE WINDOW FROM THE INSIDE IN CASE THIS HAPPENS AFTER AN ACCIDENT. ADDITIONAL INFO: THE GAS DOOR ALSO FAILS TO OPEN AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. ONE HAS TO RELEASE THE GAS DOOR MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE TRUNK.
Steering, Electrical system, May 24, 2011
CAR DIED OUT OF NO WHERE WHO NOT START WOULD NOT JUMP START HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FOR BIG MONEY ON A FLAT BED WITH SKATES. I WAS HOURS AWAY FROM HOME. STEERING COLUMN AND A NEW BATTERY OVER $1600. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 17, 2011
RED STEERING WHEEL AND PADLOCK WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON - STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK. THE MOST COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS FAULT CAN CAUSE A "NO START" CONDITION. THE "NO START" CONDITION CAN ARISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE WITHIN 4 YEARS AND COMMON IN BMW'S (SEE THREAD: HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=316722 *AND THREAD: HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=147586)
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 22, 2011
DOOR LOCKS FAILED USING KEY FOB OR BUTTON ON DASH. FOLLOWED SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPLACE FUSE, BUT PROBLEM KEEPS REAPPEARING. PASSENGER DOOR INOPERATIVE EVEN AFTER FUSE REPLACED AND OTHER DOORS WORKING. *TR