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, Jun 2, 2017
110000 MILES. 2007 BMW 328I. STERRING WHEEL LOCK FAULT. CAR WILL NOT START AND WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. THIS IS A "COMMON" ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
Steering, Jun 1, 2017
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL IS MALFUNCTIONING AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING.
Steering, May 6, 2017
I WAS OUT WITH MY KIDS AND WENT TO PARK AT THE RESTAURANT AND WHEN I TURNED OFF MY CAR A STEERING WHEEL LOCK SIGN IN RED POPPED UP ON THE DASH. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD SEEN THIS, SO I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND KEPT FLASHING. I TOOK THE MANUEL OUT TO SEE WHAT THIS WAS AND IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. WELL I FIGURED OK I WILL READ MORE ABOUT IT AFTER I HAD DINNER WITH MY KIDS. I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT IT AFTER DINNER SO I GET IN MY CAR JUST LIKE NORMAL AND THEN I SEE THE RED SIGN STILL. WENT HOME AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIS ONLINE AND I HAVE SEEN SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW SINCE IT'S WHAT I USE TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AND PICK THEM UP. I JUST HOPE THE DEALER CAN FIX THIS SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN IT. IT NEVER EVEN WENT FROM YELLOW TO RED IT WAS JUST RED.
Steering, May 3, 2017
I HAVE A 2007 BMW 328I. IN 2010, I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING ON THE DASH. CAR WILL NOT EVEN TURN OVER...EVERYTHING IS LOCKED UP.. TOLD THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ($1500). ACCORDING TO MANY REFERENCES, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND BMW IS AWARE OF IT. ALSO, ACCORDING TO SEVERAL REFERENCES, THERE IS NO WARNING OR PREDICTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WILL FAIL IN THE LOCKED POSITION. IF YOU ARE FIRST GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAS FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION, IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO START THE ENGINE. THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS WHETHER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAN FAIL IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. APPARENTLY, THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN RAISED BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE. I HAVE ASKED THIS QUESTION TO THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS SEVERAL BMW WEBSITES. THE RESULTS ARE, THEY DON'T KNOW OR THE ANSWERS HAVE BEEN INCONSISTENT AND OFTEN CONTRADICTORY. ASIDE FROM THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM BEING FAR TOO FREQUENT TO IGNORE BY BMW, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY REAL SAFETY CONCERN. BMW CONTINUES TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Wheels, Mar 28, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK (RED SYMBOL ON THE NOTIFICATION SCREEN). VEHICLECLE WILL NO LONGER START. NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK.
Steering, Feb 15, 2017
I HAD THE RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON MY CAR ABOUT 2 WEEK AGO. I BEEN DRIVING WITH IT ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THE DEALER. IT ALWAYS STARTED FOR ME, BUT I FEEL MY STEERING GETTING HARD. AND I SEE ON BMW FORM THAT CAR NEED TO GET REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. AND MY CAR ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT 1K OTHERWISE. AND I SEE A LOT OF CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 13, 2017
SINCE I GOT THIS CAR MY OIL WAS LEAKING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE VAL COVER. I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MUCH THAT COST ME. MY STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS REPLACED AND IT COST ME 1,181.07. I HAD MY BELT TENSIONER REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS BENT. IT COST ME $327.04. THIS WAS DONE 3/6/2015. A RECALL ON SRS AIR BAG. I STILL HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. BMW RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE OF EXHAUST LIFTERS AND ROLLER DRAG LEVERS WITH UPDATED UNIT TO ELIMINATE TICKING NOISE AT IDLE WHICH WILL COST ME 1,466.40. I NEED TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR, BELT, BATTERY AND THE CAR WON'T START. I FIXED THE BATTERY PROBLEM AND AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND PARKED THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MY BATTERY CONNECTION NEED TO BE REPLACE. COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL BMW. I WILL SPEND ABOUT 1,518.7 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Steering, Feb 13, 2017
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, BEFORE I STARTED VEHICLE I NOTICED A RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD, I TRIED TO TURN VEHICLE ON AND UNFORPTUNATELY MY CAR WON'T START.
Steering, Feb 7, 2017
DURING NORMAL CRUISE, THE YELLOW STEERING LOCK APPEARED RANDOMLY ONCE....PULLING IN TO THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME THE STEERING LOCKED IN A FIX POSITION. I WAS GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH, MAINTAIN CONTROL BUT ALMOST IMPACTED MY HOME. IN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS FAULT, THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RANDOM RESULTS OF STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON BMW VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THAT IF I WAS NOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS CAR, IT COULD HAVE HAD VERY NEGATIVE RESULTS ( IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING-AND COULD HAVE CAUSE INJURY TO OTHERS OR PROPERTY). BMW NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THESE FAULTS THAT HAVE THE POTENCIAL TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION, AND WHEN NOT IN MOTION THE RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF CHARGES THE COMPANY WANTS TO PASS TO CONSUMERS FOR A POTENTIAL FAULTY DESIGN OR QUALITY DEFICIENCY THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY OR WORSE.
Steering, Jan 14, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR GAVE ME AN ELV LOCK ERROR AND LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 29, 2016
BATTERY DIED. GOT A CHARGE AND RED STEERING LIGHT WITH A LOCK TURNED ON. LOCKED STEERING AND UNABLE TO START CAR AFTER CHARGING.
Steering, Oct 17, 2016
WHEEL STERRING LOCK MALFUNCTION, ESSENTIALLY THERE STEERING NO LONGER WORKS AND CAR SHUTS DOWN.
Steering, Sep 29, 2016
ELV ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAULTY RED INDICATOR LAMP: ENGINE WILL NOT START IN JAN 2013 MY CAR (MILEAGE 128,575)WAS REPAIRED BY REEVES BMW IN TAMPA, FL FOR FAULTY STEERING LOCK (A112 CAS ELV FAULT AND A116 CAS CRITICAL STATUS). THEY REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK (STEERING COLUMN) AT COST OF $664.17 PARTS AND $547.88 LABOR = 1212.05 + TAXES. I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. NOW ITS 9/29/16 AND I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE LAMP INDICATOR AND MY CAR WILL NOT START. STRANDED OVER 1 HOUR FROM MY HOME. BMW PARTS HAVE A WARRANTY OF 2 YEARS, SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL DO. I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SAME REPAIR ALL OVER AGAIN, PLUS THE COST OF A TOW. HOW IS THIS ETHICAL OR EVEN SAFE? WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS BMW ELV ISSUE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY BMW. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO HOLD BMW ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE REPAIRS. OBVIOUSLY, THERE MUST BE A MATERIAL DEFECT AND/OR DESIGN FLAW WHERE THIS KEEPS HAPPENING TO HUNDREDS OF OWNERS AND ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 3, 2016
MY 2007 BMW 328I IS HAVING RED STEERING WHEEL WARNING DISPLAYED ON DASH. I HAVE READ AROUND THE INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. REQUIRES THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF A PERSON NEEDS TO START THE CAR AND IS UNABLE TO START IT BECAUSE OF A FAULTY LATCH AND LEVER. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH OF "BMW STEERING WHEEL LOCK" BRINGS UP HUNDREDS OF PAGES AND VIDEOS OF PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE LIGHT ON MY CAR IS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK RED. I CHECKED MY BATTERY AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY FINE. THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY STEERING LOCK. THE CERTIFIED BMW DEALER THAT SOLD THE VEHICLE SAID THIS IS NORMAL OF BMWS. NORMAL MEANING THEY KNOW IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO BAD AND THE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACE TO CORRECT IT. WHAT, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. AT SOME POINT THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO A NO START MODE PER BMW TO PREVENT A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FROM ENGAGING WHILE OPERATING. THIS IS UNETHICAL AND COST THE CONSUMER AROUND 1500 US DOLLARS TO CORRECT.
Steering, Jul 28, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS ON. IT APPEARS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR CAN STALL OR IN CASE OF AN ATTACK, A PERSON CANT GET AWAY. I WALKED TO MY VEHICLE ONE DAY AND IT WAS ON, WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS NEVER YELLOW. WENT STRAIGHT TO RED. NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 22, 2016
MY 2007 BMW 328I IS HAVING STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUES. I HAVE READ AROUND THE INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR IT WILL WORK, OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT TURN ON UNLESS I TRY PULLING THE KEY FOB OUT AND PUTTING IT BACK IN AND CLICKING THE PUSH TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF A LEVER THAT PUSHES A LATCH THE UNHOOKS THE STEERING COLUMN SO THE CAR CAN START. BMW DOES NOT SELL THE FAULTY LATCH AND LEVER ALONE BUT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BE REPLACED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF A PERSON NEEDS TO START THE CAR AND IS UNABLE TO START IT BECAUSE IF A FAULTY LATCH AND LEVER. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH OF "BMW STEERING WHEEL LOCK" BRINGS UP HUNDREDS OF PAGES AND VIDEOS OF PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE LIGHT ON MY CAR IS YELLOW AND NOT RED. I CHECKED MY BATTERY AND IT WORKS PERFECTLY FINE. THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY STEERING LOCK. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT MADE THIS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING NOISE AND THE CERTIFIED BMW DEALER THAT SOLD THE VEHICLE SAID THIS IS NORMAL OF BMWS. NORMAL MEANING THEY KNOW IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO BAD AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS UNETHICAL AND A SCAM BY BMW.
Steering, Jul 8, 2016
AFTER PARKING AT STORE STEERING WHEEL LOCK DISPLAYED ON CAR DASH BOARD AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
Steering, May 19, 2016
I HAVE A 2007 BMW 335I WITH A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAVE BEEN A NON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM FROM THE RELEASE OF THE CAR. BMW REFUSES TO HELP THERE OWNERS EVEN WHEN THE ESTIMATED REPAIR IS ABOUT 2000. THIS ITEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO, MY STEERING LOCKED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING INTHE CITY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER BEFORE I HIT SOMETHING. HTTP://BMWPROBLEM.COM/TAG/STEERING/PAGE/5/
Steering, Apr 19, 2016
THE STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT IN RED DISPLAY. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED ME TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK "ELV" AND PROGRAM NEW CONTROL MODULE. IT COST $1,975.00 TO REPLACE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS THIS MIGHT BE KNOWN PROBLEM TO BMW, BUT YET, I HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT IT, UNTIL THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME. WHEN THE WARNING SYMBOL DISPLAYED, IT DISPLAY EVERY TIME EVEN WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR.
Steering, Mar 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 31, 2016
RED ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK ICON ON SCREEN AND CAR WILL NOT START OR TURN OVER. RADIO WORKS AND EVERYTHING ELSE BUT CAR WILL NOT START. WHEN BATTERY DIED, AND I CHARGED IT FULL, THEN WENT TO START THE CAR AND THIS RED ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAME ON. HAD TO GET CAR SERVICED
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2016
NO STAR NO LIGHT NO POWER ONLY LIGHT FOR STEERING LOCK
Steering, Engine, Jan 13, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CRANK SHAFT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK FAILED AND THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY REPAIRED DUE TO THE DEALER NOT BEING GRANTED APPROVAL FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Sep 26, 2015
I PARKED MY VEHICLE AND WHEN I WENT TO START IT IT WOULD NOT START. I GOT A RED ELV STEERING COLUMN LOCK ERROR, BMW CC-ID 186. CAR WILL NOT START.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2015
AFTER, I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. (NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, DAILY ROUTINE, NORMAL CONDITIONS). MY CAR WOULDN'T START. IT DISPLAYED A "POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED" ICON WARNING WHEN I TRIED TO START THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION SPARK WASNT THERE. THE LIGHTS ALSO DIMMED AS I TRIED TO GET STARTED.