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.
Exterior lighting, Apr 2, 2017
THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS DETERIORATING. THE PLASTIC SHEATHING HAS BECOME BRITTLE FROM THE HEAT, AND IS FALLING APART, EXPOSING THE CONDUCTOR. THIS IS CREATING THE RISK OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Engine, Mar 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2017
WIRING INSULATION CRACKING DEGRADING LEAVING EXPOSED BARE WIRING CAUSING SHORTS AND POSSIBLE FIRE IN HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESSES, WIRES ARE STATIONARY DO NOT MOVE. INSULATION IS CRAKED AND FALLING OFF WIRES. NOTICED FAILURE DURING BULB REPLACEMENT. MADE THIS COMPLAINT AFTER READING ABOUT NUMEROUS OTHER BMW OWNERS NOTICING SAME FAULT
Steering, Wheels, Mar 28, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK (RED SYMBOL ON THE NOTIFICATION SCREEN). VEHICLECLE WILL NO LONGER START. NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK.
Air bags, Mar 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS ISSUED NOTICE OF AN AIR BAG RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE (CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071) IN MARCH 2016. ONE YEAR HAS PASSED, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PARTS TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL DEALER, SEATTLE BMW, ON 03/28/17, AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS FOR FINAL REMEDY ON THE VEHICLE. PER THE NOTICE, I AM NOTIFYING THE NHTSA ADMINISTRATOR THAT THE REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A BMW 2007 328XI WHICH IS 10 YEARS OLD AND I LIVE IN A HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY STATE. BASED ON THE RISK FACTORS OF THE DEGRADATION FOR THIS AIRBAG MY AIRBAG HAS NOW DEGRADED WELL BEYOND SAFETY LEVELS AND YET I HAVE STILL NOT YET RECEIVED MY LETTER TELLING ME THAT I CAN TAKE MY CAR IN TO HAVE THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION RESOLVED AND THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION AND IF BMW IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN IMMEDIATE REMEDY THEY SHOULD BUY BACK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SO THAT MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF WIFE WHO DRIVES MY CAR IS NO LONGER IN DANGER EVERY DAY. I NO LONGER WANT TO PUT MY LIFE OR MY WIFE'S LIFE IN DANGER BECAUSE BMW HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Mar 14, 2017
THERE ARE SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS ON THE DASHBOARD, SUCH AS THE BRAKES ON THE BELTS AND THE AIRBAGS I NEED TO KNOW IF ANY OF THIS HAS A RECALL THANKS
Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2017
INSULATION FAILED ON WIRING INSIDE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, CRUMBLING OFF AND CREATING MULTIPLE EXPOSED BARE COPPER WIRING. DISCOVERED DURING LAMP REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE NOV 21, 2015. I OVERLAID ALL ACCESSIBLE WIRES WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE IN HOPES TO PREVENT A SHORT AND FIRE. SINCE THEN I'VE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED BY SEVERAL BMW OWNERS ON BIMMERFORUMS.COM, WITH ATTACHED CORRESPONDENCES FROM BMW DENYING ANY PROBLEM. DEALERS AND REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS ARE VERY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.
Air bags, Mar 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 8, 2017
SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. SHOWS AS "AIRBAG LIGHT" ON DASH. BMW ALREADY RECALLED SOME VEHICLES FOR THIS, AND GAVE A 15-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR CARS INCLUDING MY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR, BUT REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS SPORTS SEATS INSTEAD OF STANDARD SEATS. LOOKUP ON BMW PARTS NUMBERS SHOW THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS THE SAME PART NUMBER ON SPORTS AND NON-SPORTS SEATS. NO REMEDY FROM BMW, INCLUDING CONTACT TO BMW USA (HAVE RECORD OF EMAILS, INCLUDING AN OFFER FOR A PHONE CALL I NEVER RECEIVED).
Air bags, Mar 7, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Feb 21, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BURNING THE OIL CAUSING THE SMOKE TO BLUR THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2017
THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES SINCE PURCHASED. THIS ALL CAME TO A HEAD WHEN DRIVING HOME, UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, IT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST 1ST GEAR. I PROCEEDED TO PULL OFF TO A SIDE STREET AND ATTEMPT TO IDLE HOME, AS I WAS ABOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME. AFTER APPROXIMATELY .5 MILE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST FIRST GEAR, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE BANG UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. AFTER BEING IN A SERVICE CENTER FOR A COUPLE WEEKS, I AM NOW INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE IS LOCKED DOWN AND THAT THE CAR WILL REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE TO BE WORKING AGAIN. THIS CAR HAD BEEN AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE AND HAS TURNED ME QUITE CALLOUSED TOWARDS BMWS QUALITY STANDARDS.
Air bags, Feb 16, 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 TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2017
PLASTIC INSULATION HAS CRACKED AND PEELED ON ALL WIRING INSIDE MY FRONT HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS. EXPOSED WIRING CREATES A POTENTIAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND FIRE HAZARD.
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.
Air bags, Feb 9, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
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.
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2017
GAS GAUGE DOESN'T REGISTER FULL VS. EMPTY TANK. MY GAS GAUGE ALWAYS SAYS EMPTY EVEN RIGHT AFTER I FILL IT UP. SEEMS TO BE A BIGGER ISSUE, PER MY GOOGLE SEARCH AND THINK IT NEEDS A RECALL.
Air bags, Feb 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND NIELLO BMW (LOCAL SACRAMENTO DEALER) REFUSE TO RESPOND TO MY COMMUNICATIONS AS TO WHEN MY CAR WILL BE FIXED. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO BMW SERVICE CENTERS 3 TIMES (BMW DEALERSHIPS IN FORT WORTH, TX AND HOUSTON, TX) SINCE THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. TO DATE, I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY ANYONE FROM THOSE DEALERS OR BMW THAT MY CAR FELL INTO THE AFFECTED LOT. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED MY CAR IS INDEED PART OF THE RECALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE OR SATISFACTORY. WHEN ONE TAKES THEIR CAR TO ANY CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, MUCH LESS AN ACTUAL BMW DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER, THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT HE OR SHE WILL LEAVE WITH A SAFE CAR AND FULL UNDERSTANDING OF ANY PENDING RECALLS. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE FOR ME.
Air bags, Jan 19, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE FOR WHEN THE RECALL PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.