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
1,040 reports, newest first.
Power train, Nov 19, 2017
THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. CAR WON'T GO IN REVERSE, ALSO CAR HAD NO POWER TO ACCELERATE IN DRIVE MODE. THIS WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE VALVE BODY SEALING SLEEVE THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC BROKE.
Engine, Nov 16, 2017
VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE RAMP TO ENTER A HIGHWAY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME UP. THE ENGINE HAS ONLY 42000 MILES. TOOK IT TO BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VANOS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BOLTS PROBABLY CAME OFF. A RECALL IS IN PLACE FOR EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE FOR OTHER 3 SERIES, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND BMW IS NOT COVERING THE REPAIR. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED ON A RECALL GIVEN THAT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE?
Air bags, Nov 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I RECENTLY GOT A NOTICE FOR AN AIRBAG RECALL (RECALL #16V071). THERE WAS A NOTIFICATION ON THE RECALL THAT IF "THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER TO FILE AN ONLINE COMPLAINT" WITH THIS WEBSITE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS CLOSEST TO ME AND BOTH SAID THEY ARE BACKED UP UNTIL THE 2ND QUARTER OF 2018. THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE THESE NOTICES ARE SAYING THAT THE AIRBAG ERUPTING COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THESE REPLACED ASAP SO I AM NOT RISKING MY SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS IN MY CAR. THANK YOU!
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.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL: PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEFECT. MESSAGE THAT COMES ON WHEN ENGINE FIRST TURNED ON AND STATIONARY, READS: "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIR BAG, BELT TENSION OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SEAT BELT." HOWEVER, THIS CAR NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHEN I CHECK LICENSE NUMBER.
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.
Engine, Nov 9, 2017
MY CAR OVERHEAT WHENEVER I TURN ON THE HEATER IN THE CAR. THE CAR DOES NOT OVERHEAT WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED OFF.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2017
I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY SENSOR SYSTEMS. NOT ABLE TO PASS SMOG. ALSO MY DOOR HANDLES HAVE MELTED FROM SOME HEAT WHEN MY CAR IS EXTREMELY HOT. THESE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS I'M HAVING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2017
I HEAR A GRINDING NOISE INSIDE THE CAR COME FROM AIR VENT UP BIN THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE AIR IS OFFF WHEN THE AIR IS ON I DON'T HEAR IT ANY MORE
Air bags, Nov 5, 2017
TAKATA AIRBAG. I RECEIVED MY AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016. SINCE THEN, I CALLED MY BMW DEALER ASKING FOR INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID IT WASN'T AVAILABLE. I LATER VISITED THE DEALER ON AUGUST 2, 2017. THEY, AGAIN, SAID THE AIRBAG WASN'T AVAILABLE. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE THE AIRBAG BY LABOR DAY. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE OF MY AIRBAG BEING AVAILABLE BY LABOR DAY. THE NHTSA SITE SAYS IT'S AVAILABLE. HOW DO I GET BMW TO INSTALL IT IF THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S UNAVAILABLE?
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 5, 2017
CAR OVER HEATS AND SMOKING
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2017
THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING IN 2013. THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WE GOT THE CAR CHECKED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. A CAR OF THIS CALIBER SHOULD NOT HAVE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AFTER ONLY 5-6 YEARS FROM BEING PURCHASED. THE CAR ALSO OVERHEATS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2017, fire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 20 MINUTES IN A MALL PARKING LOT. VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Oct 19, 2017
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILING
Structure, Oct 17, 2017
THE CENTRAL LOCKING FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING. THE UNLOCKING DOES NOT WORK THROUGH THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON WITHIN THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR IS ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED BY PULLING ON THE INNER DOOR HANDLE. THE OTHER 3 DOORS ARE UNABLE TO BE OPENED AND POSE A SEVERE SAFETY RISK. THE FIX PER BMW IS TO REPLACE 15A FUSES WITH 20A. THIS WAS ALREADY DONE TO MY VEHICLE IN THE PAST AND THE PROBLEM HAS APPEARED AGAIN. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT HAS ALSO BEEN A FIX, BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK EITHER.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2017
I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AS DESCRIBED IN EXISTING RECALL NUMBER 17V605. I HAD THIS REPAIRED FOR OVER $1168.16 MY VEHICLE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
Air bags, Oct 10, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF DENVER DOWNTOWN (1040 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO 80246) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2017
FUSE # 56 AND #57 BLEW LEADING TO THE INABILITY TO OPEN ANY DOORS USING THE FOB. THE EMERGENCY KEY ONLY UNLOCKS THE DRIVER DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE OTHER DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED UNLESS THE FUSE IS REPLACED. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, HAD THE FUSES BEEN DAMAGED FOR SOME REASON, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE OR SOME OTHER REASON NECESSITATED AN EMERGENCY EGRESS, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND LIKELY THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS IN A POWER FAILURE. BMW HAS NO EMERGENCY DOOR LATCH TO BYPASS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS OTHER CARS DO.
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2017, fire
THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE RIGHT BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. THIS HAPPENED ON 9/22/17. SOMEONE SAW THE CAR ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 6:00PM. SEVEN HOURS LATER, THERE WERE STILL BUZZING SOUNDS COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. WE WERE TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR!
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHECKERED FLAG BMW (5225 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462; 866-414-7820 OR 757-490-1111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEW BOLD BMW IN OFALLON, ILLINOIS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 24, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHERERVILLE BMW (LOCATED AT 1400 US 41, SCHERERVILLE, IN 46375), BUT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.