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, May 19, 2010
ON SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 15, 2010, THE DOOR ACTUATORS OF MY 2007 BMW 335I BLEW OUT A FUSE. AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE DOORS WERE CAPABLE OF BEING OPENED, EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CAR'S KEY FOB COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE LOCK BUTTON ON THE DASH WOULD NOT WORK. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS MANUALLY. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY A PASSENGER COULD HAVE EXITED THE CAR, EXCEPT BY CLIMBING THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OR BY CLIMBING OUT THE WINDOWS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND PRESENTS PARTICULAR DANGERS TO DISABLED PASSENGERS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL-DOCUMENTED FOR 2007 3-SERIES VEHICLES ON THE WEB. SEE HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2007/BMW/335I/LATCH,+LOCK+AND+LINKAGE AND HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2007/BMW/328I/LATCH,+LOCK+AND+LINKAGE. THIS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE REPRESENTS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=3V04L-ISYCS. I UNDERSTAND THAT BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR DEALERS REGARDING THE PROBLEM. DEALERS FIX THE PROBLEM ONLY BY CHANGING THE FUSE. STAFF AT BMW SAN FRANCISCO, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (CERTIFIED USED) SIX WEEKS AGO, TOLD ME TODAY (MAY 19, 2010) THAT EVEN WITH A NEW FUSE, THE PROBLEM COULD RECUR. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BMW HAS WILLFULLY REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE FUSE BOX IS LOCATED IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT INSIDE THE CAR. WERE THE DOOR ACTUATORS TO CAUSE A FIRE AND THE PASSENGER DOORS INCAPABLE OF BEING OPENED, PASSENGERS COULD VERY WELL SUFFER SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATH. THE 335I MANUAL INDICATES THAT MEDDLING WITH THE CAR'S FUSE BOX COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 13, 2010
THE DOORS ON MY 2007 BMW 328I WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE PUSH BUTTON LOCK. I REMOVED THE MANUAL KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY HOUSE, I REVIEWED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THE SETTING WAS WRONG WITH THE KEY. PUSHING THE KEY, OPEN-CLOSE BUTTON THE DOORS LOCKED BUT WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD THE FORESIGHT TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN PRIOR TO CHECKING THE LOCK. IF I HAD NOT DONE SO, I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED IN FLORIDA AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF LOCKED IN THE CAR WITHOUT A WAY OUT IN THE FLORIDA HEAT. ALSO, THE GAS DOOR WAS LOCKED SHUT AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE BMW DEALERSHIP (QUALITY IMPORTS- FT WALTON BEACH) AND TOOK THE CAR TO THEM FOR REPAIRS. IT TOOK TWO DAYS INSTEAD OF THE TWO HOURS THAT I WAS PROMISED. ALSO, I FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD A TECHNICAL REPAIR BULLETIN THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING FAULTY LOCKS ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE. BESIDES THE SAFETY COMPLAINT I FEEL THAT I WAS CHARGES WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF (NO COST TO THE CONSUMER) SINCE THIS VEHICLE'S PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TALKED WITH CORPORATE BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT ANY ISSUE COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. (I FELT THAT I WAS BLOWN OFF). I WOULD LIKE FOR THE FAULTY DOOR ACTUATORS TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUE. WHEN ASKING THE DEALERSHIP WHAT THEY MEANT BY A TECHNICAL BULLETIN, THE RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NO SAFETY PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED. I DISAGREE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 14, 2010
REPEATED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE IN 2007 BMW 3281. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BOTH REAR DOORS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOORS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 19, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF AND DOOR OPEN WARNING SHOWED UP. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE ON MY CAR SO FAR BUT A FEW OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR BMW CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE STANDARD RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS "UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM" AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 2, 2010
MY VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WHERE APPARENTLY A FUSE BLOWS AND THE DOOR LOCKS CAN NOT BE ACTIVATED BY THE FOB, INTERIOR HANDLES (EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR), OR THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKING SWITCH. [PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ACTIVATED ON THE REAR DOORS.] THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR IS THROUGH THE VALET KEY. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME TWICE AND IS NOW APPARENTLY A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH BMW. I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS A DESIGN HAZARD IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WERE TO FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT, THEN THIS BECOMES AN EXTREME HAZARD IF FIRE OR ANY OTHER ISSUE WERE INVOLVED. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS REQUIRED AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF UNLOCKING THE DOORS OTHER THAN ELECTRICALLY (HENCE THE DOOR PULL KNOBS WHICH IN MY CAR ARE EVEN WITH THE TRIM AND UNABLE TO GRASP). *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 2, 2010
DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. ALL 4 DOORS ON MY 2007 BMW 335I WON'T OPEN USING THE KEY REMOTE NOR THE CENTRAL LOCK SYSTEM. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE 4 DOORS. MY FAMILY HAD TO CLIMB OUT FROM THE WINDOW. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM DIFFERENT FORUMS. HOW DO YOU EXPECT A PASSENGER TO GET OUT THE CAR DURING EMERGENCY SITUATION? ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS A HANDICAP. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN ALL DOORS IT CAN BE A LIFE THREATENING. PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. *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
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 21, 2009
ALL DOORS ON A 2007 BMW 328I, 4-DOOR, WOULD NOT UNLOCK FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. ALL PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE WINDOWS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 20, 2009
CENTRAL LOCKING FAILURE CAUSING ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TO BE OPERABLE. THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN THE EVENT OF FIRE PASSENGERS COULD NOT LET THEMSELVES OUT OR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE 3 DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 7, 2009
UNABLE TO OPEN FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR DUE TO FAILURE OF FUSE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW AS SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. AS A TECHNICAL EXPERT IN THIS FIELD I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE FAILURE MODE IS UNSAFE AND CAN OCCUR DURING DRIVING, IF FAILURE OCCURS DURING DRIVING PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT COMPLY TO FMVSS206 S4.1.3 AS THERE IS NO ABILITY TO UNLOCK THE MECHANISM ONCE THE DOOR IS LOCKED AND THE FUSE FAILS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 2, 2009
MODEL: 2007 BMW 328I. THE ELECTRONIC "DOOR ACTUATORS" FAILED. AS A RESULT, IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN ANY DOOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSIDE, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S DOOR. WHEN THESE ELECTRONIC DOOR ACTUATORS FAIL, PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE, AND ARE EXPOSED TO INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR IF THE VEHICLE BECOMES SUBMERGED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP (WEATHERFORD BMW, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA) SUGGESTED THAT EVEN IF THE ELECTRONIC DOOR ACTUATORS WERE DISABLED THE DOORS COULD STILL BE OPENED BY PULLING TWICE ON THE OPENING LATCH. HOWEVER, WHEN THIS WAS TRIED, THE DOORS STILL COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE SERVICE ADVISORS DID COMMENT THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED IN OTHER 328I MODELS; AND, IN FACT, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. IN VIEW OF THIS EXTREMELY SERIOUS DEFECT WHICH APPARENTLY EXISTS WITH THE 328I MODEL, RESULTING IN TRAPPING PASSENGERS IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTROLLING THE DOORS FAILS, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THIS DEFECT BE INVESTIGATED, AND THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BE RECALLED SO THAT THE DEFECT CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE DEATHS OR INJURIES OCCUR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2009
CAN NOT UNLOCK DOORS USING THE KEY FOB! ONLY DRIVER DOOR CAN BE OPENED MANUALLY USING THE KEY INSIDE THE KEY FOB! NO OTHER DOORS COULD BE OPENED EVEN MANUALLY USING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES! (THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED OTHERWISE IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUES IF PROBLEM OCCURS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD MAKE EXITING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE ). *TR
Fuel system, Other, Latches/locks/linkages, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 29, 2009
I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 BMW 335I FROM BMW OF HONOLULU IN JAN 2007. 4 MONTHS LATER THE CAR STALLED WITH MY WIFE AND SON IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR WAS TOWED IN TO BMW AND REMAINED THERE FOR OVER A MONTH. BMW COULD NOT GIVE ME A STATUS AS TO WHAT WAS GOING ON, NOR DID THEY TRY TO CONTACT ME. EVENTUALLY, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH I WOULD THINK WOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS UNTIL CARS WERE TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR SOME OTHER ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN TOWED IN 3 TIMES AND DRIVEN IN FOR OTHER REPAIRS 7 OTHER TIMES IN 2 YEARS. THIS HAS COST ME TO MISS WORK AND MOST OF ALL AN INCONVENIENCE TO MY FAMILY. USUALLY THERE IS NO LOANER AVAILABLE, SO YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SHUTTLE WHICH DRIVES ALL OVER THE ISLAND DROPPING OFF EVERYONE ELSE WHO IS THERE HAVING THEIR 335I WORKED ON. I HAVE COMPLAINED WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY FINALLY AGREED TO PAY A MONTHS CAR PAYMENT AND INSURANCE. I HAVE RECENTLY SUBMITTED ANOTHER ONLINE COMPLAINT WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. SPOKE WITH BMW OF HONOLULU MANAGEMENT AND THEY ARE SUPPOSEDLY IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING BACK THE CAR AND TRYING TO PUT ME IN ANOTHER 335I. DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO DO THAT. WHAT KILLS ME IS THEIR RELUCTANCE TO KEEP ME INFORMED OF ANYTHING. THEY TELL ME, I WILL GET THIS INFORMATION TO YOU ON A CERTAIN DAY AND I DON'T HEAR FROM THEM FOR DAYS AT A TIME. THE ONLINE BLOGS ARE AMAZING. THEIR COMMENTS SOUND EXACTLY LIKE MINE. I JUST RETIRED FROM THE U.S. NAVY AND I WORK WITH JAGS AT A JOINT HEADQUARTERS COMMAND IN HAWAII AND THEY HAVE DIRECTED ME TO SEEK ADVICE FROM A CIVILIAN ATTORNEY. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SUE BMW FOR ALL THEY HAVE PUT ME AND MY FAMILY THROUGH. BEING THAT THEY KNEW OF THIS ISSUE AND HAVE NOT INFORMED THE CUSTOMERS I AM SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 25, 2009
DOOR LOCKS PERMANENTLY LOCKED FROM INSIDE OF CAR WHILE I WAS I STOPPED AT A MALL PARKING SPOT WITH WIFE AND 9 MONTH OLD SON. I COULD NOT UNLATCH THE DOORS BY USING THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON AND THROUGH THE KEY UNLOCK BUTTON. (SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE MY OWNERSHIP BEGAN AT 14400 MILES AND THIRD IN CARS TOTAL HISTORY ACCORDING TO THE OWNERSHIP RECORD). CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL DECEMBER 24 2011. JUST HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED ON 1/8/2009 AT PERILLO BMW IN CHICAGO IL.I HAD TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW, CLIMB OUT, AND THEN TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE KEY FOB AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR. I HAD TO HAVE MY WIFE CLIMB IN BACK TO GET SON OUT OF SEAT AND PASS HIM FORWARD TO THE FRONT SEAT SO I COULD GET HIM OUT THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR. SHE CLIMBED BACK INTO FRONT AND GOT OUT DRIVERS DOOR. THIS TOOK APPROXIMATELY 4-5 MINUTES. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OR A CAR FIRE, THERE IS NOW WAY I COULD HAVE GOTTEN MY FAMILY OUT IN A HURRY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS BMW CAR CLUB SITES AND THERE IS REALLY NO QUICK FIX BUT TO REPLACE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR OR FUSES. EVEN WHEN THESE PARTS ARE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 5, 2008
A SIMPLE FUSE FAILURE IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM RENDERED THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES UNUSABLE, EXCEPT FOR ONE, WHOSE ACTUATOR CAUSED THE ORIGINAL ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD. HAD SOMETHING ELSE CAUSED THE FUSE TO FAIL, WE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE EXCEPT THROUGH THE WINDOWS, AND, WITH A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT ALSO WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. THE BMW TECH PEOPLE TELL ME THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED THAT WAY. I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *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
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 10, 2008
THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED AND ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR COULD BE OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING WITH MY NEWBORN BABY IN THE BACK SEAT AND COULD NOT GET OUTSIDE THE CAR, BECAUSE THE REMAINING (THREE) DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE NEITHER FROM THE CAR'S OUTSIDE HANDLES. I REACH FOR MY NEWBORN BABY BOY FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND MY WIFE HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW, BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS HAD HAPPENED TWICE DURING LAST MONTH, AND COULD BE WORSE IF AN ELDERLY PERSON OR HANDICAP PERSON COULD NOT EXIT THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. AND IT COULD GET MUCH WORSE WITH HEAVY SUN AND YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE FUEL DOOR ALSO GETS LOCKED, SO THE CAR CANNOT BE REFUELED. THIS LOCKING SYSTEM IS A VERY BAD DESIGN BECAUSE IF IT FAILS, THE MECHANICAL LEVERS GETS DISCONNECTED AND NOBODY CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE CAR'S INSIDE HANDLES NEITHER OUTSIDES. *TR