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, Jan 17, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF UPDATED 09/06/2017*JS
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 17, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY AND THE CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY IT HAD A ROUGH IDLE I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THE CAR 6 MONTHS YET. THE CAR NOW BACK FIRES AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED. *TR
Engine, Jan 17, 2017, fire
I HAVE HAD A MAJOR FIRE ON MY CAR DUE TO AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM MY VALVE COVER. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE INVOLVING VALVE COVER LEAKING OIL ON THE EXHAUST AND CREATING A FIRE ON THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE AND A FIRE HAPPEN. THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Steering, Jan 14, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR GAVE ME AN ELV LOCK ERROR AND LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL.
Air bags, Jan 13, 2017
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR DRIVERS FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, RECALL CAMPAIGN # 16V-071 IN MARCH 2016. I WAS INFORMED BY BMW DEALER PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2016. ACCORDING TO DEALER THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS - PLEASE EXPEDITE THIS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Engine, Jan 9, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, A LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2017
TL* 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 THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Engine, Jan 4, 2017
THIS IS STILL NOT RESOLVE AND I AM LOOKING COOLANT AND THERE IS NOT ANSWER OTHER THAN TO REPLACE. IT COSTING ME TO MUCH TO KEEP REVIEWING THIS ISSUE , I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE FOR FREE
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 29, 2016, fire
VALVE COVER OIL LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT CAUSES FIRE. IT WAS TURNED OFF AND STATIONARY. ASKED BMW TO CHANGE IN 80K BUT THEY SAID JUST SWEATING OIL. SAFETY HAZARD IGNORED. COMMON AMOUNG BMW 3 SERIES ENGINE
Air bags, Dec 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/05/17* LJ *CN
Air bags, Dec 19, 2016
TL* 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 9, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: BMW HAS FAILED TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 1 YEAR SINCE WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS IS OUR PRIMARY CAR AND IT IS DANGEROUS FOR US TO BE DRIVING IT. *TR
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.
Air bags, Nov 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Nov 16, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACT THE BMW CENTER TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS, ITS BEEN MORE THAN 9 MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2016
WHILE I'M DRIVING IT POPPED UP A RED STEERING WHEEL/PADLOCK SYMBOL AT THE MESSAGE CENTER, STILL DRIVES WITH NO ISSUES. I'M CONCERNED IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK HOME, IT'S ABOUT ONE HOUR DRIVE.
Air bags, Nov 3, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 1, 2016
TAKATA RECALL
Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2016
WHY DRIVING MY CAR IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I HAD TO MANEUVER MY CAR OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART IT. IT STARTED BACK UP IMMEDIATELY BUT I DROVE MAYBE ANOTHER MILE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I PANICKED TURNED AROUND AND DROVE BACK HOME. I WILL.BE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN MONTGOMERY, AL FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING 10/31/2016.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2016
MANY MONTHS AGO A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2007 BMW 3281I CARS. NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS SPRING (2016) I CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT HAD HEARD NOTHING FROM BMW. IS NHTSA MONITORING BMW? IF NOT, WHY NOT? IT'S NOT BEYOND THE REALM FOR BOTH PARTIES TO HOPE THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE FORGOTTEN ABOUT AND IT WILL GO AWAY. MY DEALER IS BMW OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. BOTH DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR NEED TO BE TOLD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECALL.
Air bags, Oct 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - RECALL ISSUED FEBRUARY 2016. CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 TO CHECK STATUS OF RECALL AND OBTAIN RESOLUTION. REQUESTED REPLACEMENT PARTS BE EXPEDITED AND BMW AGREED. BUSINESS WAS TO CALL ME TO PROVIDE DETAILS ON EXPECTED DATE BMW OF SAN DIEGO WOULD RECEIVE PARTS. NEVER RECEIVED A CALL. I CALLED BACK 3 DAYS LATER AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH NO RETURN CALL. ON 10/24/16 I CALLED BMW OF NA TO OBTAIN AN UPDATE. WAS TOLD THE CASE WAS STILL OPEN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPEDITED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF INITIAL CALL. I REQUESTED AN ALTERNATIVE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND WAS TOLD SOMETIMES THEY CAN GET AUTHORIZATION FOR A LOANER CAR, SO MY CASE WAS ESCALATED TO A CASE MANAGER. RECEIVED A CALL SAME DAY AND WAS NOW TOLD THEY RAN OUT OF PARTS AND MAY GET PARTS EARLY 2017! ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REQUIRE BMW TO DO SO. THE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT FAIL, BUT RESEARCH WAS DONE THAT FAILURE IS NOT LIKELY. SO TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR. I'M RECEIVING THE RUN AROUND WITH A DIFFERENT ANSWER EACH TIME. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE THAT THE VEHICLE AIR BAG MAY FAIL. BMW IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RECALL OR ANY "PROMISES" THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE DONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY OTHER COMPANIES SUCH AS TOYOTA AND HONDA ARE CONCERNED FOR THEIR CLIENTS AND PROVIDE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION TO ENSURE SAFETY. THEIR RISKY AIR BAGS ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH AT LEAST GIVES YOU THE OPTION TO DRIVE ALONE. BMW FAULTY AIR BAGS ARE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY AND MINE. I EXPECT RESOLUTION AND BMW HAS PROVIDED NOTHING BUT EXCUSES AND DIFFERENT STORIES EACH TIME. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IN HANDLING THIS MAJOR RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Oct 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER HARD BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2016
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 MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 20, 2016
I WAS TURNING ON TO A HIGHWAY, AS I ACCELERATED TO MATCH THE SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MERGE, THE ENGINE POWER ABRUPTLY DEGRADED. I HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE LANE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD A FLASHING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND WAS NOT PRODUCING ANY POWER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO PARK AVE. BMW IN NJ. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE WITH A FAILED DME (ENGINE MANAGEMENT COMPUTER OR ECU) AT LESS THAN 60K. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND MANY OTHERS BMW N54 ENGINE OWNERS ONLINE WHO HAD ENCOUNTERED THE SAME DME FAILURE. IT TURNS OUT AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT COSTS A COUPLE OF CENTS WAS PREMATURELY FAILING. THIS WAS KNOWN TO BMW IN 2007 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SOLD. THE BMW SERVICE BUILTIN SI B 12 18 07 CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THIS IS AN UNEXPECTED FAILURE AND IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE DIODE. FURTHER MORE THE ISSUE CAN DAMAGE COILS AND FUEL INJECTORS COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. REPLACING COILS, INJECTORS, AND THE DME CAN EXCEED $5000. FURTHER MORE BMW CHOSE NO TO BE PROACTIVE AND REPLACE THE COMPONENT, INSTEAD THEY PUT PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK, AT BEST THEIR BENEFITING FROM THEIR OWN LACK OF QUALITY.