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.
Air bags, Aug 22, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 18 MONTHS SINCE WE WERE ADVISED OF RECALL AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE CONTACTED USE TO BRING OUR VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS.
Air bags, Aug 22, 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 BMW NORTH OF SCOTTSDALE DEALER (LOCATED AT 18018 NORTH SCOTTSDALE ROAD, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85054) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2017
MY CAR SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WITH TOTAL LOSS OF POWER CAN NOT USE REMOTE TO UNLOCK CAR DOORS WHILE STUCK INSIDE THE REMOTE KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM CAR THE CAR WAS RUNNING WENT A FEW MILES CAME HOME AND CAR JUST SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY WITH ME INSIDE ...HAD TO CALL FROM MY CELL PHONE THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR REPORTS STATE THIS CAN BE FROM A RECALL ON CERTAIN MODELS DUE TO THE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR AND FUSE BOX DEGRADE OVER TIME I AM HEARING IMPAIRED SO EMAIL COMMUNICATION IS BEST
Air bags, Aug 18, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 AND 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT CALLED BMW OF OCALA AT (352) 861-0234 (LOCATED AT 5145 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34474) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF/2" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED OFF AND ON NEAR THE SUN ROOF AND CONTROL PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. 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 CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BRAMAN MIAMI LOCATED AT 2060 BISCAYNE BLVD MIAMI FL 33137) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2017
TAKATA RECALL....STILL AWAITING UPDATE/NOTICE/REPAIR/ANYTHING FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA SINCE I WAS INITIALLY NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016. IT IS NOW AUGUST 2017! I HAVE A CAR THAT I AM INSURING, SITTING UNUSED IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I CAN'T SELL IT, OR TRADE IT IN DUE TO DECREASED VALUE OF AIRBAG LIGHT ON, AND LACK OF REPAIR. IT IS COMING UP FOR STATE INSPECTION SOON, AND WON'T PASS BECAUSE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING, UNFAIR AND WORSE, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OR FATAL SITUATION. I FIND IT INEXCUSABLE THAT IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE FIRST NOTIFICATION, AND A REMEDY HAS STILL NOT BEEN MADE. BMW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS IN A MORE TIMELY AND REASONABLE MANNER. IT IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE THAT THIS IS TAKING SO LONG. IF REPAIRS CANNOT BE MADE, BMW SHOULD BUY THE VEHICLE BACK AND COMPENSATE THE OWNERS FOR LOSS OF USE PLUS FAIR MARKET VALUE.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2017
TAKATA RECALL ON THE NHTSA.GOV SITE MY CAR SHOWS RECALL INCOMPLETE IN RED. PER THE SAFERCAR.GOV SIT, THIS MEANS THAT MY PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. IS THE INFORMATION ON THE SITE INCORRECT THAT THESE WOULD BE READY? I AM CONFUSED ABOUT THE INFORMATION AS RPESENTED ON THE SITES. I AM MOST CONCERNED DUE TO THE AGE OF MY CAR. I REALIZE I AM IN ZONE B, BUT IT IS 10 YEARS OLD. THANK YOU
Air bags, Aug 1, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT CALLED (804) 381-6041 (RICHMOND BMW, 8710 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT....UPDATED 10/23/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jul 31, 2017
2 COMPLAINTS: 1ST COMPLAINT ADDRESSES "TAKATA RECALL" DATED FEB. 5, 2016 RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.16V-071 DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG. *BMW SERVICE CENTER "OTTO'S" IN WEST CHESTER, PA STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS GOING ON 2YRS. * 2ND COMPLAINT ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING (55MPH) ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF- NO POWER! . IT WAS A HUMID SUMMER (JULY) MORNING BMW FAULT COULD HAVE KILLED MANY, A VERY DANGEROUS PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS STRANDED FOR HOURS UNABLE TO DRIVE BMW. *ADDING INSULT TO INJURY THE HIGH HUMIDITY COULD HAVE SET-OFF THE AIRBAG FAULT UNRESOLVED BY BMW 18 MONTHS & COUNTING. OTTO'S SERVICE CENTER WANTED ALMOST $4K TO REPAIR PLUS AN ADDITIONAL HEFTY SUM UNDER ADVISEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO REPAIR THE WORK THEY COMPLETED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO (>$3K) FOR ENGINE LEAKING OIL - CAR OVER-HEATING
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2017
MY REAR LEFT TAIL LAMP WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS STILL WORK.
Electrical system, Visibility, Jul 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW BECAME STUCK WHILE ROLLED DOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2017
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE.
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.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (SANTA MONICA BMW 1127 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 (310) 829-3535) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THAT HIS NAME WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOCAL DEALER HAD NOT RETURNED HIS CALL IN SEVERAL WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/23/17*LJ
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 27, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START,
Engine, Jun 24, 2017
ENGINE OIL LEAK.( GASKET, VALVE) THE DEALER STATES CAR IS LEAKING ENGINE OIL FROM ALL TYPE OF GASKETS AND ASKING $2800 FOR FIX(ACTUALLY REPLACEMENT). THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED.ALSO, OWNER NEVER TOUCH BENEATH ENGINE. BMW SHOULD FIX OR RECALL THIS. THE LEAK MIGHT CREATE FIRE AS PER BMW DEALER AND CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER.
Engine, Jun 24, 2017
ENGINE OIL GASKET, VALVE LEAK. ITS ENGINE PART AND CUSTOMER WONT TOUCH AT ALL. BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS. BMW DEALER QUOTES $2.7K FOR THE FIX(ACTUALLY ITS REPLACEMENT OF GASKET AND SEAL)
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 21, 2017
THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PRODUCES A FAULT IN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM PREVENTING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET, ON A HIGHWAY, AND WHEN TURNING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE OR EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS USED NORMALLY AND AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I BELIEVE THE SEAT MAT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND NORMAL USAGE OF PEOPLE SITTING ON IT. OVER TIME THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT FAILED AND POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SINCE THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION.
Air bags, Jun 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF EL PASO, TEXAS, 6318 MONTANA AVENUE 79925) STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jun 15, 2017
OIL LEAKS IN THE MOTOR WHEN PARKED. GRINDING OR KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE LOWER PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ONLY WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 15, 2017, fire
MY 2007 BMW 323I (CANADIAN VERSION OF THE 328I) CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS COMPLETELY STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT LAST SUMMER. THE CAR WAS MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY PRISTINE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS AT ALL OTHER THAN A SET OF AFTERMARKET WHEELS. I OWNED THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT AND NEVER HAD TO GET ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL WORK DONE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WRONG AND LED TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DAY THE FIRE HAPPENED I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT STARTED, IDLED AND RAN PERFECTLY, AS IT HAS SINCE MY OWNERSHIP. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN PARKED IT IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. NO ELECTRICAL DEVICES WERE PLUGGED INTO ANY OUTLET INSIDE THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I CAME OUTSIDE AND MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY INCINERATED. AS THE ABC ARTICLE STATES, BMW GAVE ME "THE COLD SHOULDER".
Air bags, Jun 12, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (KUNI BMW IN BEAVERTON, OREGON) CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/23/17*LJ *CN
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 .
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE EXITING A BRIDGE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR LOCATION WAS CONSIDERED ZONE C, WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.