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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 6, 2010
I HAVE A 1999 BMW 328I THAT I PURCHASED IN 2005 FOR $25,000 I JUST PURCHASED A 2007 BMW 328XI ON MAY WITH 54K MILES ON 11/1/10 IT TURNED OUT THAT I BOUGHT A $35,000 DEATH TRAP WITH THE DOORS NOT OPENING OR THE GAS TANK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO NOW IT JUST SITS THERE IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY 1999 WITH STILL DOES THAT SAME PROBLEM BUT OFF AND ON NOT LIKE THIS 2007 DEATH TRAP. I'M NEVER EVER BUYING A BMW AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2010
2007 BMW 328XI SEDAN; LOCKED VEHICLE WITH KEY FOB. RETURNED TO VEHICLE AND KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN LOCKS. USED KEY FOB TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS. INTERNAL BUTTON WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOORS. PULLING TWICE ON DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN DOORS. ACTUAL KEY WOULD UNLOCK DRIVER'S DOOR ONLY. DROVE CAR. TRIED INTERNAL BUTTON AGAIN, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. PULLING TWICE ON DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WOULD UNLOCK THE DOOR. NO WAY TO OPEN ANY OF THE PASSENGER DOORS. ONLY WAY FOR PASSENGER TO EXIT IS TO GO OUT WINDOW OR THROUGH DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. KEY FOB WOULD LOCK DOOR BUT NOT UNLOCK DOOR. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2,000 MILES. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO TAKE IT TO DEALER/MECHANIC OR ATTEMPT TO REPAIR MYSELF. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2010
BMW E90 3 SERIES SEDAN, AFTER THE DOOR LOCK FUSES BLOW THERE IS NO WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE EXCEPT BY A WINDOW. IS A FAILING IN ALL THESE MODELS AND HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH BAD LATCHES THAT ARE BEING REPLACED AS THEY FAIL UNDER WARRANTY, THERE SHOULD BE A BACKUP SYSTEM FOR EXITING THE VEHICLE IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 10, 2010
HAVE YOU INVESTIGATED WHY BMW HAS NOT OFFERED A FIX FOR TRAPPING THEIR CUSTOMERS IN THE CAR WHEN A DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILS AND BLOWS A FUSE? THIS IS A COMMON EVENT ON THE 2007 328 MODEL. WHAT HAPPENS IS A POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILS DURING THE UNLOCK PROCESS AND THE INCREASE IN AMPERAGE CAUSES 2 FUSES TO BLOW. THIS PREVENTS ANY OF THE CAR'S DOOR LOCKS FROM OPENING, THEREBY TRAPPING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OCCUPANTS MUST EITHER CLIMB OUT OF A WINDOW OR HAVE SOMEONE UNLOCK THE CAR USING A MECHANICAL KEY FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Electrical system, May 14, 2010
IN OCTOBER OF 2009 MY LEASED VEHICLE DID NOT START, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IN DETROIT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY. BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME. IN JANUARY OF 2010 THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AGAIN, AFTER TESTING IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. IN APRIL OF 2010 THE VEHICLE DID NOT START FOR A THIRD TIME. I CONTACTED A DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN; AFTER 5 DAYS THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. I CONTACTED BMW NA AS I FELT THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL ISSUE AND REASON FOR THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF "INVESTIGATION" BMW NA CONTACTED ME AND STATED THAT DUE TO MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GRANTED THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER LEASE AND WAS SOLD TO ME AS A DEMO VEHICLE WITH ROUGHLY 9000 MILES ALREADY ON IT AT TIME OF LEASE INCEPTION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 16, 2009
EARLIER THIS YEAR I WENT ON A WEEKEND TRIP WITH MY FAMILY: MY WIFE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, ON THE REAR SEAT MY SISTER AND MY TWO AND A HALF YEAR OLD NIECE ON HER CAR SEAT. WHEN WE ARRIVED TO OUR DESTINATION NONE OF THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD OPEN; THEY WERE COMPLETELY SHUT AND THEY WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE INTERNAL CONTROLS, THE REMOTE OR IN ANY OTHER WAY. ONLY THE DRIVERS' DOOR, WHICH IS ALSO THE ONLY DOOR THAT HAS A KEY HOLE, WOULD OPEN. ALL OTHER DOORS ARE KEY-LESS AND REMAINED LOCKED. MY FAMILY HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOWS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT WITH MY LITTLE NIECE IN THE BACK SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM'S CAUSE WAS A BLOWN FUSE. FORTUNATELY WE DID NOT HAVE AN EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRE A QUICK EXIT OF OR ENTRY INTO THE CAR. BUT MY FAMILY AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS DESIGN REPRESENT. IN THE EVENT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN A RUSH WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT. MY WIFE IS NOW PREGNANT I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW SAFE THIS VEHICLE REALLY IS. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER ARGUE THAT THIS IS A SIMPLE MALFUNCTION AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY DISMISSING THE CASE; I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR MANUAL LOCK/UNLOCK OF THE DOORS EVEN IF THE FUSE BLOWS - AT LEAST FROM THE INSIDE. GOOD SAFETY ENGINEERING POLICIES SHOULD STATE THAT IN THE EVENT OF A FUSE BLOW NO SYSTEM SHOULD GET PASSENGERS LOCKED INSIDE THEIR CARS; THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. FAILURE TO FIX THIS REPRESENTS A PASSENGER'S CASUALTY WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HOPE YOU SEE IT THIS WAY TOO. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Nov 5, 2009, fire
BMW 335XI FIRE BURNED CAR TOTAL LOSS AFTER DRIVING 1/4 MILE. VEHICLE WAS AT BMW DAYS EARLIER WITH A COMPLAINT OF ROUGH IDLE/REDUCED POWER. TOLD ENGINE FAULTS WOULD BE HANDLED BY SOFTWARE UPDATE. FIRE BURNED TWO CARS WITH A SMALL EXPLOSION AND 15 FOOT FLAMES. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2009
SINCE APPROXIMATELY JAN./2008 THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON MY 2007 BMW 328XI COMES ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY AT APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEK INTERVALS. I HAVE HAD THE BMW SERVICE DEPT. LOOK AT IT FIVE(5) TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE DANGER LIES IN THE COMPULSION TO IGNORE A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY FALSE INDICATIONS, LEADING TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON A PUBLIC ROAD RESULTING IN INJURIES. INTERNET BLOGS REPORT POSSIBLE INSTRUCTIONS BY PARENT COMPANY BMW FOR SERVICE DEPTS. TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM DELIBERATELY. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NOR THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MANUALLY WITH THE PHYSICAL KEY. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD UNLOCK OR OPEN, INCLUDING THE GAS TANK COVER THAT WAS POWERED BY A KEYLESS LOCK SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT A FUSE BLEW AND CAUSED ALL THE LOCKS TO FAIL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 18,000. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
Electrical system, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakes, Electric, Equipment, Aug 21, 2008
MY 2007 328I HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES (THAT I HAVE PAPERWORK ON, IT MIGHT BE MORE). I HAVE HAD MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING ELECTRICAL. MY KEY WILL NOT OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, I HAVE TO USE THE VALET KEY TO GET INSIDE. ONCE I GET INSIDE THE BUTTON ON THE DASH THAT OPENS AND LOCKS THE DOORS WAS UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL. WHEN THIS STARTED THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR ALSO BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND WOULD NOT ADJUST, I CAN'T ADJUST IT TO SEE THE ROAD AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS. THE SAME DAY THE AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH I HAD SET ON 60, TURNED ITSELF TO 84 BLOWING FULL BLAST. THAT IS ACTUALLY THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED TO THE HEATER. SHORT LIST OF OTHER ISSUES: RECURRENT BREAK SQUEAKING, OIL SENSOR AND ENGINE HARNESS WIRES BREAKING, AND PROBLEMS ACCELERATING. THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED AS WELL (ANOTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUE WHICH WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION). AFTER THE BRAKE PADS & SENSORS WERE REPLACED, THE BRAKES SOUND THE SAME TO THIS DAY, HORRIBLY SQUEAKY ALMOST GRINDING. THE FRONT DRIVER & PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE A MYSTERIOUS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THEY WILL CEASE TO GO UP OR DOWN. I HOLD THE WINDOW BUTTON IN THE "UP" POSITION, THE WINDOW WILL ROLL UP AN INCH THEN STOP. I WILL HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE THE WINDOW WILL GO UP OR DOWN. MY CAR GOES IN AGAIN TOMORROW AM. THIS TIME I EVEN MENTIONED THAT IF I DID HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AND WE HAD GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT, OR WORSE YET THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE, MY PASSENGERS WOULD BE TRAPPED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. I CAN'T DRIVE MY FRIENDS OR FAMILY ANYWHERE FOR FEAR THEY WILL BE STUCK IN THE VEHICLE IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AS WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO ASK MY PARENTS, WHO ARE IN THEIR 50'S, TO CRAWL THROUGH A WINDOW TO GET IN OR OUT OF MY VEHICLE. MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION FOR ME AT LEAST 30 DAYS SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC INTERIOR LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT DOES NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS. WHILE PASSENGERS WERE OCCUPYING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE THAT CAUSED THE LATCH ASSEMBLY TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGERS COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE FUSE BOX. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FUSES BLOW OUT DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. WHEN THE FUSES BLOW, THE VEHICLE LOCKS COMPLETELY AND THE PASSENGER CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED AND WORKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2007
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AFTER NUMEROUS RESETS. *TR