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: engine
228 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2007
ON 12/15/07 I PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM THE DIRT MEDIAN. THE CAR ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A VIRTUAL STOP ON THE HIGHWAY WITH HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC QUICKLY APPROACHING. I WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT NO POWER WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE WHEELS AND ENGINE RPM DID NOT INCREASE. THIS LASTED FOR MANY SECONDS. I HAD TIME TO CONFIRM I WAS STILL IN FIRST GEAR. I THEN DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH, REVVED THE ENGINE TO HIGH RPM AND TOOK OFF IN SECOND GEAR. MY WIFE AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY AT A STANDSTILL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2007
4 DAYS AFTER CAR WAS LEASE BRAND NEW 2007 BMW 328I FAILED ON THE ROAD WHERE IT COMPLETELY HALTED WITH NO WARNING SYSTEM. IT WAS ON SURFACE STREETS LUCKILY NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH POSSIBLE DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. AFTER 3 DAYS STILL NOT DIAGNOSTIC RESULT! BRAND NEW! NOT USED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE WOULD NOT OPEN THE VEHICLE'S DOOR. SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY WITH THE KEY, BUT IT BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER. THE 30G RELAY WAS REPLACED. ON JUNE 24, 2007, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER. THE KEY SLIDE AND THE RIBBON CABLE WERE REPLACED. ON JUNE 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER WHERE IT IS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 1,299 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.