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: steering
116 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 8, 2021
DASHBOARD INDICATES, "ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK ENGAGED". CAR IS CURRENTLY DRIVABLE, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF BMW, AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN UNTIL THE CAR WILL NO LONGER TURN ON. THE MALFUNCTIONING FEATURE (STEERING WHEEL LOCK) HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SUBSEQUENT MODELS, INDICATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZES THE MALFUNCTION. REPAIR INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1300.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 15, 2021
Earlier this year in February I have replaced the alternator and some other major part right after purchasing from dealership and i have seen all the other recent recalls for the vehicle also it appears to have recalls that have not been worked on by manufacture . there also were no signs that came on also the wheel tightened up and stopped on me out of no where while driving. this being the second time this has happened as on new years i was on the freeway on my way home and the car did the same when i first replaced the alternator
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 26, 2021
I WENT TO START MY CAR AND THERE WAS A RED WARNING LIGHT THAT IS A STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK. I AM NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR OR DO ANYTHING WITH IT FOR THAT MATTER, SO I AM STUCK. THANK GOODNESS I WAS HOME AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OR WORSE, DRIVING AND IT LOCK ON ME! SO NOW I AM STUCK WITHOUT A CAR AND HARD TELLING WHAT ITS GOING TO COST ME! IVE BEEN READING THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING OR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Nov 10, 2020
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAR WOULD NOT START, THIS HAPPENED AFTER I PARKED THE CAR. VERY EXPENSIVE TO GET IT FIXED
Steering, Aug 7, 2019
STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING UP WHICH CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START. BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2019, fire
MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS TRAPPED IN CAR. A NEARBY PASSENGER BROKE MY WINDOW TO ME OUT. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MAN I WOULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE!!
Steering, Feb 18, 2019
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BMW 328I MY STEERING WHEEL, IT IS BLOCKED AND I CAN NOT TURN IT ON OR MOVE AND I THINK THAT IS BMW PROBLEM BECAUSE THOSE PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS DEFECTIVE OF FABRIC
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF WILMINGTON AT 910-338-2149 (LOCATED AT 4920 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403) AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2018
ON THE WAY HOME YESTERDAY A RED WARNING LIGHT "STEERING WHEEL WITH A PAD LOCK ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER" CAME ON, AFTER PARKING AT HOME I GOT THE MANUAL OUT AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRIC STEERING-WHEEL LOCK FAULT AND NOW THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MOST BMW'S MANUFACTURED BETWEEN YEARS 2006 TO 2007. I LEARNED ABOUT THE ISSUE WHEN I DID A SEARCH IN BMW FORUM'S. BOTH EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS ARE EFFECTED WITH THIS FAULT.
Steering, Jul 16, 2018
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN OVERNIGHT GARAGE FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS WHILE I WAS TRAVELING. WHEN I RETURNED AND TRIED TO START THE CAR, I GOT AN ELV SYMBOL (BASICALLY LOCKED THE VEHICLE AND KEPT IT FROM TURNING OVER). IT ESSENTIALLY DRAINED THE BATTERY WHICH HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF OCCURRENCES OF THIS HAPPENING TO BMWS. BMW KNOWS THAT THIS IS A FAULT ON VEHICLES MADE FROM 2006-2008. THE COST TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IS AROUND $1600. BECAUSE THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH VEHICLES IN THESE YEARS, THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD BE LISTED AS A RECALL.
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2018
FUEL PUMP IS BURNING OUT AND LIQUID ISN'T PASSING THROUGH THE TANK PROPERLY. THE CAR IS OVERHEATING ANF FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO START FIRE.
Steering, May 23, 2018
WHILE DRIVING BMW, 328I, 2007 ON A HEAVILY USED HIGHWAY, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN TO AN OFF RAMP WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. FORTUNATELY DUE THE ANGLE OF THE WHEELS I MISSED A RETAINING WALL AND AN ISLAND SEPARATING ON-COMING TRAFFIC. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I FINALLY STOPPED I IMPEDED TRAFFIC UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED (2 HOURS). THIS OCCURRED AT THE TURN-OFF OF BELT PARKWAY (QUEENS, NY) AND VAN WYCK EXPRESSWAY (ENTRANCE TO JFK AIRPORT). ON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE OTHER BMWS HAVING THE SAME DEFECT.
Steering, Electrical system, May 18, 2018
BMW WOULD NOT START CAUSING ME TO JUMP START MY CAR. UPON STARTING MY CAR, MESSAGE ON SCREEN SAYS THAT STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED TODAY, MAY 18,2018 AT 3:30. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Steering, Air bags, Feb 15, 2018
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN RED. THE AIRBAG IS ON RECALL FOR THE TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG. THE STEERING WHEEL WITH A LOCK SIGN OVER IT IS ILLUMINATED IN RED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START ALL SYSTEMS WERE LOCKED INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL. BMW STATED IT WILL COST YOU $100 TO PUT IT ON LIFT AND AN ADDITIONAL $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. I ENDED PAYING $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC.
Steering, Jan 19, 2018
WHEEL STEERING LOCK LIGHT COMES ON. BMW IS COMPLETELY AWARE OF THIS FLAW IN THEIR CARS, BUT SINCE NHTSA HAS NOT STEPPED IN TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS A RECALL THEY KEEP CHARGING PEOPLE FOR THE REPAIR UNDER A TSB.
Steering, Jan 16, 2018
I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT BUT MY CAR WOULDN'T START, I HAVE THE CAR JUMP START, NO GO, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED THEY HAD TO TOW THE CAR AND GET A TOW TRUCK THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE CAR LIFTED BECAUSE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THIS WAS DUE TO FAULTY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS UP AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. DEALER SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEELS LOCK UP AND EVENTUALLY EATS UP THE BATTERY LIFE.
Steering, Dec 15, 2017
I WAS DRIVING THE WHOLE WEEKEND AND NOW MY CAR WON'T START I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND NOW SOME RED SYMBOL IS COMING UP AND I HAD LOOK IT UP ON YOU TUBE AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCK AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE NIGHT BEFORE AND NOW MY CAR WON'T START ALL BECAUSE OF SOME LOCKED SYMBOL
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 14, 2017, crash
POWER STEERING PULLEY COMES INTO CONTACT OF AXLE CARRIER, IT'S A CLEAR DESIGN FLAW AND THIS CAR HASN'T HAD MUCH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DONE, THE COMPANY KNOWINGLY PUT AN UNSAFE BETA CAR ON THE MARKET. MY BELT BROKE BECAUSE OF THE PULLEY TO FRAME CONTACT AND STALLED ON THE 405 FREEWAY AND ENDED UP GETTING INJURED WHEN THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED AT 60MPH. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN WITHIN BMW'S SYSTEM DESCRIBING THIS ISSUE AND THEY WANT CONSUMERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. I SPOKE TO CORPORATE AND THEY HAVE GIVEN ME THE COLD SHOULDER SO FAR. MY MISSION IS TO GET THIS ESCALATED TO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 11, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY, I MADE A QUICK STOP, TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND WENT BACK TO MY CAR TO START IT AND NOTHING. ONLY TO FIND THE STEERING LOCK LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NO OTHER INDICATION OF POWER BESIDE INTERIOR LIGHT. I THINK THIS PRESENTS AN UNSAFE CONDITION, THAT WOULD LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED SOME WHERE (THANK GOD IT WASN'T MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS STRANDED WITH THE CAR). NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A BMW SERVICE. I AM REALLY SHOCKED THAT THEIR IS NOT ALREADY A RECALL FOR THIS, WITH THE HIGH AMOUNT OF CASES I HAVE READ ABOUT ON FORUMS. I PRAY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 3, 2017
I WENT IN TO HAVE A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE A BRAKE FLUSH BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND BRAKES. THEY INFORMED ME TO BRING CAR BACK IN TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE CAR HAS NOW BECOME INOPERABLE. THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT STATING THAT THE ISSUE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE FLUSH BUT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE A PERSISTENT VALVE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR HAS TWO RECALLS IN THE PAST WEEK AND YET THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT ON MD 495 HEADING TOWARD SILVER SPRING. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH BMW OF SILVER SPRING AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.
Steering, Sep 18, 2017
MY 2007 BMW 328I, DID NOT START AND IT SHOWED THAT IT HAD A LOCK STERRING WHEEL. ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH MY DRIVER SIDE MIRROR BEING FOLDED BACK WORLD AND DID NOT ALLOW ME TO POSITION TO A SAFE VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE STERRING WHEEL WAS LOCKED.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 15, 2017
SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT BROKE DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING, POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY LOST. BELT REPLACED; AFTER 2000 MILES BELT WAS FOUND TO BE FRAYED AND SEVERELY WORN. BELT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. BELT THEN BROKE A THIRD TIME AFTER 8000 WHILE DRIVING, SAME CONDITIONS AND SYMPTOMS. DIAGNOSED AS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE BELT AND POWER STEERING PULLEY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITH THE FRONT SUBFRAME. BMW HAS HAD A TSB FOR THE ISSUE SINCE 2008 (SI B11 09 08) FOR ALL E90 SERIES WITH N54 ENGINES (135I, 335I) UP TO 04/08 PRODUCTION; RECOMMENDED REPAIR FOR VEHICLES THAT HAD SUBFRAME CONTACT WITH THE PULLEY IS TO REPLACE FRONT SUBFRAME WITH UPDATED PART -- NO WARRANTY EXTENSION OR RECALL AT PRESENT FOR AFFECTED VEHICLES, COVERED UNDER NEW WARRANTY ONLY. OWNER EVENTUALLY REPLACED SUBFRAME WITH UPDATED ONE OUT OF POCKET.
Steering, Jul 7, 2017
CAR WANT START STEERING WHEEL WANT LOCK , ALREADY REPLACED STARTER AND IT STARTED RUNNING BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND I HAD IT CHECKED AND SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 27, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START,
Steering, Jun 9, 2017
I RECIEVED AN ERROR MESSAGE WHILE DRIVING A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADOCK WITH THE FEAR OF SOMETHING HAPPENING AS I HAD MY UNDERAGE SON IN THE CAR DECIDED TO STOP AND CHECK THE CODE WHICH READ CCID 186 AFTER RESEARCHING AND FINDING OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 3 SERIES I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED WITH THE AMMOUNT OF CLAIMS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW AS IT IS OVER 1.5K TO FIX OUT OF WARRANTY .