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: latches/locks/linkages
93 reports, newest first. Show all
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 16, 2011
2007 BMW 335XI DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED TWICE. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN AND THE ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE AND EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE, AND THE SECOND REPAIR BY THE DEALER WAS TO PUT IN A LARGER VALUSE FUSE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A PROPER REPAIR. I AM SURE THAT TERE IS STILL SOMETHING WRONG AND THAT AS IT CONTINUES TO DEGRADE I WILL BE LOCKED IN THE CAR AGAIN. IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION THIS COULD BE DEADLY. *TT
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE POWER LOCKS WERE FUNCTIONING. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MANUALLY BY USING THE KEY. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS, EXCEPT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAIN FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 3, 2011
SIB 51 19 07, CAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED AND WAS FORCED TO EXIT THROUGH WINDOW. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 21, 2011
I HAVE A 2007 3 SERIES. PRIOR TO THAT, I OWNED A 2000 BMW 3 SERIES THAT NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH REMOTE. AFTER CHECKING TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, I THEN HAD TO MANUALLY USE KEY TO OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THEN UPON BEING INSIDE CAR, I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOOR USING BUTTON ON DASH. MY CAR IS IN SHOP AND I AM TOLD IT IS A BLOWN FUSE NEEDING AN ACTUATOR REPLACED. I WAS TOLD IT'S ALSO AFFECTING MY GAS TANK, MEANING I WOULD BE UNABLE TO OPEN GAS TANK TO PUT IN GAS. AFTER RESEARCHING, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2007 3 SERIES. AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE OF GETTING TRAPPED IN YOUR CAR. I AM REALLY UPSET I AM HAVING TO SHELL OUT MONEY FOR THIS, AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION WITH 25K MILES. I HOPE THIS WILL BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL AS THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD/LAW SUIT! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 19, 2011
NONE OF MY DOORS WILL UNLOCK IN MY 2007 328XI WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE MANUAL KEY AND THEN IT ONLY UNLOCK MY DRIVER DOOR...ALL OTHER DOORS AND THE GAS TANK WILL NOT UNLOCK....NOT EVEN PULLING THE HANDLES FROM THE INTERIOR. THIS IS A VERY BAD DESIGN FLAW AND A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE A 5 AND A 2 YEAR OLD. WHAT IF I WERE TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY WHERE MY BATTERY WERE TO DIE AND THE WINDOWS WERE UP. I AND MY CHILDREN WOULD PERISH IN THE HEAT OF OUR GEORGIA SUMMER. THE ENGINEERS NEED TO FIX THIS SAFETY HAZARD IMMEDIATELY OTHERWISE A LIFE IS GOING TO DIE! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 23, 2011
PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. KEY FOB, INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTON AND MANUAL DOOR HANDLES WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS MAKING PASSENGERS HAVE TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR OR WINDOWS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 30, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE. PULLING ON HANDLE WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR NOR WILL THE UNLOCK BUTTON FOR ALL LOCKS ON CAR. IN ADDITION THE REMOTE KEY FOB WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. RANDOM OCCURRENCE. WORKED PERFECTLY FINE IN THE MORNING AND THEN MALFUNCTIONED LATER ON IN THE DAY. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 20, 2011
ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED ON ALL FOUR DOORS. COULD NOT UNLOCK ANY PASSENGER DOOR UNTIL FUSE INSIDE GLOVE BOX WAS REPLACED. DRIVER COULD EXIT THE DRIVERS DOOR BY MANUALLY LIFTING DOOR HANDLE. NO APPARENT MEANS TO OPEN ANY PASSENGER DOORS (OR GAS DOOR COVER) UNTIL THE FUSE WAS REPLACED. HAD THERE HAVE BEEN A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, THAT OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OVER CONSOLE AND EXIT THE DRIVERS DOOR TO EVEN ALLOW ACCESS TO THE FUSE PANEL. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND BASED ON MY ONLINE RESEARCH, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. IF THIS PROBLEM WERE TO OCCUR AND THEN AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE NONE OF THE PASSENGERS COULD EXIT RAPIDLY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 28, 2011
2007 BMW 328XI. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN UTILIZING REMOTE NOR OPEN/CLOSE LOCK BUTTON IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAN OPEN EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 11, 2011
BMW 335I INTERIOR DOORS WERE LOCKED DUE TO ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. I HAD TO UNROLL THE WINDOWS AND CRAWL OUT AND PULL MY KIDS OUT OF THE BACK SEATS THROUGH THE WINDOWS. IF THIS WERE AN ACCIDENT, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE INJURIES AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF THE CAR. ONLINE FORUMS INDICATE THIS IS A SERIAL PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 13, 2011
THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NHTSA HAS LEARNED OF THROUGH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE? MY 2007 BMW 328XI DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED AT 52,660 MILES: THE KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS (THE DOOR HANDLES WILL LIGHT UP). I HAVE TO USE THE VALET KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, BUT ONLY THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL UNLOCK. EACH OF THESE DOORS (DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER) CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. THE OTHER TWO DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED AT ALL. THIS ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY CONCERN: SUPPOSE I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE CAR WAS ONE OF THE TWO DOORS WHICH ARE NOT UNLOCKABLE? *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 27, 2010
MY AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED IN OCTOBER 2010. A FUSE WAS REPLACED. THEN THEY FAILED AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2010. BOTH TIMES I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I USED THE MANUAL KEY IN THE KEY FOB TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. IF I HAD BEEN INSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE ONLY WAY OUT WOULD HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE WINDOWS. WHEN THE LOCKS FAILED, ALL DOORS WERE FROZEN CLOSED AND THE INTERIOR OVERRIDE DID NOT WORK. THIS COULD BE SERIOUS IF THERE WAS A NEED TO QUICKLY EXIT THE CAR. ESPECIALLY IF IT INVOLVED PETS, CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 24, 2010
2007 BMW 328XI. LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED. UNABLE TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOORS EITHER WITH THE KEY OR BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE. ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR WAS ABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD TO HAVE MY WIFE AND KIDS CRAWL OUT THE WINDOWS ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT SO THAT WE COULD ATTEND CHURCH. BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED PROPERLY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 21, 2010
COULDN'T UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS AND USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE ON MY 2007 BMW 335XI. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 20, 2010
2007 BMW 328I DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK/UNLOCK. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 10, 2010
THE 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. THIS RESULTED IN ALL PASSENGERS (INCLUDING SMALL CHILDREN) TO HAVE TO EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THIS COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES FOR ALL OCCUPANTS. THIS WAS REPAIRED BY INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE FUSE (TO A 20 AMP FROM A 15 AMP). AFTER RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE JUST A TEMPORARY FIX. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES THIS COULD CAUSE FOR OTHER FAMILIES. *TR
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
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 24, 2010
BMW 328I 2007. MY WHOLE FAMILY {4} OF US WERE LOCKED IN CAR. WE COULD NOT OPEN THE CAR FROM INSIDE. THAT IS MOST CRAZY THING EVER HAPPEN TO ME. THIS IS THE SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW NEED TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES AND FIX PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS REALLY IN TROUBLE. I MADE SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT THAT MORE PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS I HAD. I HAD TO PULL OUT MY CHILDREN TROUGH THE WINDOW TO GET THEM OUT OF CAR. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOME BIGGER ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE BACK OF CAR OR IF WE HAD CRASH ON OUR WAY HOME. THIS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR NEED TO BE RECALLED!! *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
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 16, 2010
DOOR ACTUATORS ON MY 2007 BMW 328I FAILED. IT BEGAN WITH JUST THE FRONT TWO DOORS AND THEN THE REAR DOORS. A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, MOSTLY LABOR EXPENSE. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHEN AWAY FROM HOME AS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOORS WAS NOT POSSIBLE. ALSO, IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN THE BACKSEAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT. *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
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 17, 2010
THE DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. THEY LOCK AND STAY LOCKED. YOU CANNOT OPEN THEM FROM THE INSIDE, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S DOOR. ALL THREE REMAINING DOORS DO NOT OPEN! THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN BMW 3-SERIES E90S. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 14, 2010
2007 BMW 328XI. ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. NO DOOR COULD BE UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. NO DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. PULLING THE INTERNAL DOOR LATCH REPEATEDLY FAILED TO UNLOCK OR OPEN DOOR. PUSHING ELECTRONIC LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON DASHBOARD FAILED TO UNLOCK DOORS. LOWERING WINDOW AND USING MANUAL KEY IN EXTERIOR LOCK UNLOCKED DOOR BUT AS SOON AS KEY WAS ROTATED TO REMOVE FROM LOCK DOOR IMMEDIATELY ELECTRONICALLY RELOCKED. KEY HAD TO BE HELD IN UNLOCK POSITION WHILE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH WAS USED TO OPEN THE DOOR IN ORDER TO OPEN DOOR TO EXIT CAR. SUBSEQUENTLY EXCEPT FOR DRIVER'S DOOR ALL DOORS REMAINED INOPERABLE LOCKED BUT DRIVERS DOOR COULD BE OPENED ONLY MANUALLY WITH MANUAL KEY FROM EXTERIOR OR LATCH FROM INTERIOR WITHOUT AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCKING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPAIRED. DEALER REPORTED THAT A "SHORT" HAD CAUSED FAILURE OF ABILITY TO UNLOCK. EVENT HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN IN ONE MONTH. *TR