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, Structure, Equipment, Aug 22, 2013
THE DOOR ACTUATOR SYSTEM ON MY 2007 BMW 3281 HAS FAILED TWICE, ONCE LOCKING ME IN AND THE OTHER TIME IMMOBILIZING THE CAR AND STRANDING ME FOR SEVERAL HOURS.I NOTICED THE FIRST FAILURE WHEN I STOPPED FOR GAS & COULD NOT OPEN THE FUEL FLAP. I DROVE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY, AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT LOWER AND THE OTHER THREE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. FORTUNATELY, THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT ON THE DOOR CIRCUIT & I WAS ABLE TO TOSS OUT THE FOB KEY FOR SOMEONE TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR AND LET ME OUT. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE 15 AMP FUSE IN THE DOOR CIRCUIT WITH A 20 AMP FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. CONCLUSION: THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I DROVE HOME AFTER A STATE INSPECTION. WHEN I PARKED AND HIT THE FOB LOCK BUTTON, I HEARD A MUFFLED NOISE. THE FUSE HAD BLOWN AGAIN. I UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE FOB KEY AND AFTER MUCH TIME AND GREAT EFFORT, I INSTALLED A ANOTHER 20 AMP FUSE. BECAUSE THE PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN WHEN THE CIRCUIT BLOWS, REPLACING THE FUSE IS VERY DIFFICULT, NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. IT REQUIRES AGILITY, KNOW-HOW, AND GOOD CONDITIONS--NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN COUNT ON IN THE GENERAL POPULATION. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION: GO BACK TO MECHANICAL LOCKING, ELECTRONIC LOCKING IS A BAD SOLUTION AT LEAST, YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE CAR. SECOND: REQUIRE BMW TO RECALL THE ORIGINAL ACTUATORS AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW DESIGNS THAT, IF THEY TOO FAIL, THEY FAIL IN A DOOR-OPEN MODE. AT THE VERY LEAST, CAR MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO OFFER BUYERS A CHOICE BETWEEN MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC DOOR OPENING. LIVES ARE AT STAKE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2013
I WAS GOING ABOUT 50 TO 55 MPA WHEN MY TEMP LIGHT CAME ON, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS MY CAR LOST SPEED RAPIDLY AND COMPLETELY QUIT LOCKING EVERYTHING UP ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH 100,000 MILE WARRENTY.WHEN I CALLED CENTURY BMW DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE, AL WHERE I PURCHASED IT I WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY WENT OUT TWO MONTHS AGO ON 5/15 ACCORDING TO DATE OF SHIPMENT, A FEW DAY'S BEFORE I HAD RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY FACTORY WARNING MAY BE EXPIRING BASED ON TIME AND MILES IT STATED THAT AVAILABLE COVERAGE EXPIRES ON 8/23/2013 WHICH WAS 21 DAY'S AFTER DATE OF FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS TIME I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT IS NOT WHAT THE STATEMENT SAID.WHEN TOWED TO SHOP IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AT A COST OF $1,212.11 PLUS TOWING CHARGE THAT I DO NOT HAVE A BILL ON YET WHICH SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN COVERED. I AM JUST LUCKY THAT NO ONE BEHIND ME SLAMMED INTO THE REAREND OF CAR OF LUCKILY NOT TURNING IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING EXCEPT SECONDS BEFORE IT STOPPED COLD. I HAD TOOK THE CAR IN BEFORE BECAUSE I SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AND HAVE AT TIMES SINCE THEN SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE BUT SINCE I HAD IT CHECKED OUT JUST THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT MODEL. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, SO WHY WAS THEIR NO RECALL STATING THE DANGER OF THIS HAPPENING. AND WHY ARE THEY NOT HONORING THEIR WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Structure, Jul 25, 2013
DRIVING NORMALLY, ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A STREET MY POWER STEERING FAILS AND I GET A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT BATTERY CHARGING MALFUNCTION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT DRIVES THE AC COMPRESSOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED AND NOT ON THE PULLEYS. I HAVE DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE PULLEYS IN MY CAR. MY POWER STEERING PULLEY IS MISSING BIG CHUNKS BECAUSE OF IMPACT WITH THE SUB-FRAME. THIS IS A KNOWN SERVICE BULLETIN ( SIB 11 09 08 ) THE POWER STEERING PULLEY IMPACTS THE SUB-FRAME BECAUSE OF MOTOR MOVEMENT WHEN HITTING BUMPS ETC.. THIS CAUSED MY BELT TO BE RIPPED INTO SHREDS AND BREAK OFF BIG CHUNKS OF MY POWER STEERING PULLEY. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 24, 2013
MY CAR KEYS CANNOT UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS. I HAD TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE REMOTE AND USE THE KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND BOTH DOORS AT THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS CANNOT BE OPENED. THERE IS NO WAY THE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE ONCE IT IS LOCKED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY FROM A CAR FIRE, PEOPLE IN THE CAR (PASSENGER SIDE CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOOR TO GET OUT AND THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. I SEE THIS A POTENTIAL LIABILITY AND I AM SURPRISED WHY NO AUTHORITIES HAVE STEPPED UP AND INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION. DOES THAT MEAN WHEN ONLY THERE IS A FATAL INCIDENT THAT PEOPLE WILL START INVESTIGATION? I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR APPOINTMENT TIME IS FULLY BOOKED TILL NEXT WEEK. THEY DON'T SEEM TO EVEN THINK THIS COULD RESULT IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS WEBSITE IS DEDICATED TO WHAT IS PROFESS TO DO, THEN I HOPE TO SEE ACTION. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BMW BUT I AM SURE OTHER MAKES ALSO HAVE THIS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, LOCKING ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND DOORS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ONCE THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT 48 HOURS IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 2, 2013
MY WIFE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT CAR WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF CAR DOORS - ALL THE LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE ! ALSO, THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT ASAP. I WAS ABLE TO SEE ON LINE THAT NUMBER OF LIKE AND KIND COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2007 328 XI MODELS ... *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 28, 2013
REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 13V044000 MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES AS EXACTLY OUTLINED IN THIS RECALL NOTICE SUCH AS THE STARTING ROUGH, NOT STARTING, BATTERY INDICATOR LAMP LIT, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER & DEGRADED PERFORMANCE WHILE DRIVING ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN A CRASH BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL MY CAR OVER. I SPOKE WITH BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT SPECIFIED BY THIS RECALL AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA TO GET THIS RESOLVED. I HAVE RESEARCHED MANY OTHER 2007 3-SERIES OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES AND WOULD EXPECT THIS TO BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2013
ARRIVED DESTINATION, EXITED CAR, LOCKED DOORS VIA KEY FOB. RETURNED FOUR HOURS LATER, UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS. LIGHTS WENT ON, SO I KNEW KEY FOB WAS WORKING. HAD TO USE VALET KEY TO OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR, NO LOCKS ON OTHER DOORS. ONCE IN CAR TRIED TO USE DOOR OPEN BUTTON ON DASH, WOULD NOT WORK, TRIED TO UNLOCK DOOR FROM INSIDE, COULD NOT UNLOCK ANY OF THE DOORS. MY WIFE HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH OPEN WINDOW ON PASSENGER SIDE, AND MY TWO GUESTS HAD TO GO THROUGH WINDOWS TO SIT IN BACK SEAT. ONCE REACHING OUR NEXT DESTINATION ATTEMPTED TO USED THE DOOR RELEASE AGAIN, NOTHING, THEN TRIED THE DOOR HANDLES (FRONT AND BACK) WOULD NOT WORK, BACK SEAT PASSENGERS HAD TO EXIT THROUGH WINDOWS, AND ONCE WE REACHED HOME MY WIFE HAD TO SLIDE OVER CONSOLE GO OUT THE DRIVERS DOOR, THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. FYI BOTH MY WIFE AND I ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, AND NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THIS CURRENT EVENT. AS A RESULT ALL PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE CAR AS ALL DOOR LOCKS, EXCEPT DRIVERS FAIL AND NO WAY TO OPEN CAR, THIS COULD HAVE RESULT INTO A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT OF FIRE WITH 3 OF THE 4 DOORS NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. BROUGHT TO BMW DEALER NEXT DAY, THEY WANTED BETWEEN $800 AND $1,000. TO REPAIR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS, UNABLE TO PAY THIS NOW, CAR IS SITTING HOME IN GARAGE. BMW NEVER OFFERED TO PAY THIS UNDER THE CURRENT CONDITIONS OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 11, 2013
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON. LOCKED DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, NO WAY TO UNLOCK THE REAR DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHEN THEY ARE LOCKED. ONLY WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE IS THROUGH DRIVER'S DOOR IF MANUALLY UNLOCKED WITH KEY. PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AND GAS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 8, 2013
I DROVE TO THE GAS STATION LEFT CAR ALONE FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. AND WHEN I COME BACK I TRY TO START THE CAR AND TRIES TO START BUT DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TOO, THEN I GET A JUMP START AND DRIVE HOME AND THE NEXT DAY SAME THINGS HAPPEN. BATTERY WAS CHANGED OUT BY SHOP JUST ABOUT A WEEK AGO. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 27, 2013
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WILE DRIVING - VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA CASE # 10194169. MY DAUGHTER WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CAME TO A HARD STOP. WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE WOULD NOT MAKE THE TURN, SHE TRIED TO TURN IT BACK TO THE LEFT BUT IT IMMEDIATELY LOCKED HARD IN PLACE. SHE PULLED FORWARD IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP IN THE GRASS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER SHE STOPPED SHE NOTICED THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING MESSAGE WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WORKED NORMALLY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ABOUT A MILE TO THE HOUSE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER - THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS WHERE THEY REVIEWED FAULT CODES (FOUND NONE), TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (COULD NOT DUPLICATE), AND TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN APART (BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM). THE DEALER DID IMPLEMENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V044000, BUT SAID THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, BUT HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE AT THE TIME. CAN THE NHTSA PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 21, 2013
MY 2007 328XI BMW DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THESE... *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, May 13, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS NOT COVERED ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. MY BMW 2007 328 CONVERTIBLE HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS IDENTIFIED BELOW. I HAVE REPAIRED IT AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE, WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS FAULTY PART MUST HAVE BEEN USED IN MY 2007 328 CONVERTIBLE. AUGUST 2008 -- BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES (SPORT SEAT), MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES (STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT), AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN OCCUR. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417. BMW IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES: MY 2006 6-SERIES, 3-SERIES (STANDARD SEAT), MY 2004-2005 Z4, MY 2004-2006 7-SERIES, MY 2006 X5, AND MY 2004-2006 5-SERIES (COMFORT SEAT). UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT IN A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCES THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS RECALL WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-001, CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION. 08V384. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2013
WENT TO UNLOCK DOORS WITH KEY FOB. ALL UNLOCKED BUT DRIVERS DOOR. HAD TO USE MANUAL KEY. ONCE INSIDE, RELOCKED DOORS AND THEN COULD NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR. ONLY WAY TO OPEN DRIVERS DOOR IS WITH MANUAL KEY FROM OUTSIDE. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BMW! AND APPARENTLY A WELL KNOWN ONE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHARGING MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TR UPDATED 6/17/13 *CN UPDATED 06/25/13
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 27, 2013
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPEN, DOORS NOT ABLE TO OPEN. FUEL DOOR TRAPPED CLOSED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2013
WHILE SITTING STILL AT THE FIRST INCIDENT THE CAR STALLED FOR NO REASON. OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS THE CAR STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. YOU COULD TURN IT OFF AND RESTART AND IT WOULD BE FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND MY #3 INJECTOR NEEDS REPLACED. BMW DID RECALL THE INJECTORS FOR THE 2008 MODELS, BUT NOT MY 2007, THE COST IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND MANY OTHER 2007 OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO.HAVE A BMW EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, NOT A RECALL, BUT THEY GO BAD SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. A RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR THE 2007 INJECTORS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 9, 2013
THE MECHANISM TO UNLOCK THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY BMW 335I FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. PREVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA (ODI #: 10378269). BMW AGREED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK (THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY), BUT AT THE TIME DID NOT REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK WHICH HAS NOW FAILED TOO. BEING TRAPPED IN THE CAR DUE TO A FAILED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM IS AN INCONVENIENCE AT BEST AND A MAJOR HAZARD AT WORST. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 4, 2013, crash, fire
ON FEBRUARY 6, 2013, AT AROUND 7AM, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY NEAR PLEASANTVILLE, NY ON MY WAY TO WORK . MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL, AND I HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE FROM THE BACKSEAT. I LOOKED IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND I SAW FLAMES IN THE BACKSEAT. I PULLED OVER ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER RIGHT BEFORE THE PLEASANTVILLE EXIT. I STRUGGLED TO EXIT MY CAR BECAUSE THE SEATBELT WAS STUCK AS THE ENTIRE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH ME INSIDE. AFTER IT FINALLY RELEASED , I EXITED THE BURNING CAR IN A DAZE. A GOOD SAMARITAN STOPPED TO HELP ME, WHOSE NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE PROVIDED. SHE PUT ME IN HER CAR AND WE EACH CALLED 911. A NYS TROOPER CREATED A POLICE REPORT, WHICH CAN BE PROVIDED. AS WE WAITED FOR FIREMEN, THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BLEW UP TWICE. ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS STOPPED TO HELP ME AND WITNESSED THE CAR BLOW UP. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE CAR COMPLETELY ENGULFED AND THE ENTIRE CAR CHARRED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. I AM NOW AWARE THAT, AFTER THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE, BMW ISSUED ITS LARGEST RECALL EVER IN THE U.S. OF APPROXIMATELY 504K VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS MY CAR. THE RECALL STEMS FROM A FAULTY BATTERY CONNECTION. IMPORTANTLY, THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY CONNECTION FOR BMWS ARE IN THE TRUNK, WHICH IS WHERE I BELIEVE THE FIRE STARTED IN MY CAR. AS A RESULT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND CASE STUDIES, BMW HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS BATTERY-RELATED DEFECT ON MY CAR SINCE 2010. I'M ALSO AWARE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED OTHER BMW MODELS FOR A VERY SIMILAR BATTERY ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN CHARRING OR FIRES IN THE BMWS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY TRAVELER'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE INSPECTION.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2013
STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR ACTIVATED. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 23, 2013
ALL DOORS EXCEPT DRIVER DOOR ARE LOCKED AND CANNOT BE OPEN BY PASSENGER FROM INSIDE USING DOOR HANDLE; CANNOT BE OPENED USING THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH ON THE DASH BOARD; CANNOT BE OPENED USING THE KEY FOB; CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THEREFORE ALL PASSENGERS HAVE TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR. ONCE BEING LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE DRIVE HAS TO USE THE BACKUP KEY IN THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING EXITING THE CAR IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2013, crash
ON 20 FEB 2013, WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SAN FRANCISCO. TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US SLOWED TO A STOP AND WE ALSO STOPPED. WE WERE THEN STRUCK HARD FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR THAT HIT THE RIGHT-REAR PART OF OUR BUMPER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT, ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN OUR CAR FLICKERED AND BECAME VERY DIM. WE DISCOVERED LATER THAT THE IMPACT HAD DAMAGED THE CAR'S BATTERY, EVIDENCED BY ELECTROLYTE LEAKING OUT OF THE UNDERNEATH, REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER THE COLLISION, TRAFFIC BEGAN MOVING AGAIN AND THE OTHER DRIVER MOVED HIS CAR OFF THE ROADWAY, LEAVING US SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY, 5-LANE FREEWAY AFTER DARK WITH NO LIGHTS OF ANY KIND IN OR ON OUR CAR. THE EMERGENCY FLASHER FLICKERED DIMLY, BUT WAS NOT WORKING. ALL THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE DARK. POLICE EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AND PUSHED OUR CAR TO THE SHOULDER. I WAITED INSIDE OUR CAR WHILE THE DRIVER SPOKE WITH THE POLICE. AS I WAITED, THE DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY LATCHED AND THE ALARM STARTED. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLES WERE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CAR WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME ESCAPE. A TOW-TRUCK DRIVER ASKED ME TO RELEASE THE HOOD LATCH. HE ATTACHED A BATTERY PACK TO SOME TERMINALS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND LEAVE THE CAR. THEN HE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY PACK AND THE CAR WENT DARK. IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE OR AN INJURY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. AS AN ENGINEER I SEE TWO, NO-COST SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM. (1) SURROUND THE BATTERY WITH A STRONG BARRIER AND MOVE IT FARTHER AWAY FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. (2) INCLUDE A MECHANICAL LINK TO THE DOOR LATCHES SO THAT THE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 20, 2013, crash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT CENTER LANE OF INTERSTATE 384 IN MANCHESTER CT. THE CAR STALLED AND SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY 3 OTHER VEHICLES. SHE SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THIS IS RELATED TO THE RECENT RECALL OF BMWS FOR A FAULTY BATTERY CABLE. BMW WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. WE TRADED THE CAR IN BECAUSE WE DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE OR RELIABLE. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2013
FOR A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO JUNE, VEHICLE ELECTRONICS WERE FLICKERING AND KEY FOBS WERE NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BATTERY IN KEY FOB (REPLACED) BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I REPLACED CAR BATTERY. STILL HAVING ISSUES TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES. A FEW WEEKS WENT BY AND ON MY WAY TO WORK, CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAD TO GET OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH DEAD CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND BURNT POWER CABLE AND FUSE BOX. $1800 LATER CAR WAS REPAIRED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE. I HEARD FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT THE REPAIR IS SOMETHING THAT STARTED HAPPENING LATELY. YESTERDAY 19 FEB 2013 THE RECALL NOTICE CAME OUT ON NEWS, I HOPE I AM REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT IT FAILED TO OPEN SINCE THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.