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.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 4, 2015
WHEN PARKED LISTENING TO MUSIC, MY BROTHER PLUGGED IN THE USB ADAPTER AND IT ELECTROCUTED HIM EVER SINCE HE'S SCARED TO BE IN THE VEHICLE. WELL RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CIGAR IGNITERS TO PLUG IN THE ADAPTERS WOULDN'T WORK ANYMORE. I HAD JUST GOT THIS CAR FROM A DEALER AS A TRADE IN 3 MONTHS AGO AND I NOTICED REALLY STRONG SMELLS OF GAS FROM THE BACK SEAT AND MY SIBLINGS SIT BACK THERE AND THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME. ALONG WITH THE SMELL OF GAS, MY COOLANT RESERVOIR STARTING SPILLING OUT BROWNISH FLUID LIKE IF A GASKET WAS BLOWN AND OIL GOT INTO THE COOLANT ! I AM VERY IRRITATED I'M BEING CHARGED THOUSANDS THAT I DON'T HAVE AND ONLY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS. MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT FIX ANY DAMAGES, AND DEALERSHIP IS NOT HELPING ME OUT. I NEED TO GO TO WORK AND SCHOOL AND I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION AT THE MOMENT.
Air bags, Sep 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING OVER 100,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Steering, Jul 29, 2015
ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCITON. VEHICLE CANNOT START. STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPGRADED.
Electrical system, Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jul 16, 2015, fire
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH PASSING VEHICLE ALLERTED ME OF FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM MY REAR. AS I SLOWED DOWN FLAMES AND SMOKE INCREASED. SMOKE FILLED INTERIOR UPON MY EXITING. REAR FIRE CO0NTINUED TO BURN UNTIL FIRE DEPARTMENT. DOOUSED CAR WITH WATER. POLICE REPORT TAKEN. CAR TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP AND DECLARED TO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR.
Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jul 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED TO ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION HAD DIFFICULTY SWITCHING INTO THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD ALSO WORK INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Air bags, Jul 7, 2015
NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS THIS CURRENT BMW RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR FALLS WITHIN THE MODEL YEAR 2006/2007 3 SERIES AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL AND IT'S EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, BMW SAYS MY CAR DOES NOT FALL IN THE RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. EVERY TIME SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING COMES UP THAT THE AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS BEEN DISABLED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
Wheels, Jul 1, 2015
THE WHEELS/RIMS ON MY BMW ARE CONTRIBUTING TO MY TIRES FAULTS. THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RTS TIRES ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING BUBBLES FORM ON THE TIRES WITH NORMAL DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL TIRES AS A RESULT. THEY TELL ME IT IS ROAD HAZARD. IF THAT WAS THE CASE I WOULD HAVE REPLACED TIRES ON MY OTHER CARS THAT I DRIVE MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. LAST WEEK ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE 395 IN VA. $500 FOR A NEW TIRE AND THEN THEY FIND ANOTHER TIRE WITH A BUBBLE. BMW IS AT FAULT AS WELL.
Steering, Jul 1, 2015
DROVE TO MALL. PARKED CAR. CAME BACK OUT TO A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK ON THE DASH. I PUT THE KEY IN THE CAR. PRESSED THE BUTTON, CAR WOULD NOT START. TRIED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I SEARCHED THE SYMBOL TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM "INTERMITTENT IR IMMEDIATE STEERING WHEEL LOCKOUT". I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT BMW SAID WAS THE ONLY OPTION. DIAGNOSIS NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. NO WARNING. NO STEERING ISSUES. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. JUST AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED OUT AND LEFT STRANDED.
Tires, Equipment, Jun 30, 2015
THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES THAT ARE STANDARD ON MY BMW 328I ARE STRESSED WITH BUBBLES FORMING ON THE SIDEWALLS. MY 2007 BMW HAS HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED AS A RESULT OF BUBBLES OR BLOWOUTS. THE MOST RECENT WAS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24TH. I TIRE WAS LEAKING AIR AND FOUND TO BE DAMAGED. I BARELY MADE IT BACK TO BMW DEALER 3.2 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE IT HAPPENED. WHEN THEY INSPECTED THE CAR THEY FOUND ANOTHER TIRE THAT HAD A BUBBLE FORMED ON IT CAUSING A FAILED VA INSPECTION. MARCH 2014, THE TIRE BLEW OUT ON I-95 IN GA. THE CAR WAS FLAT BED TOWED TO SAVANNAH WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. AGAIN CAUSED BY BUBBLES FORMED ON THE SIDEWALL. OVER THE EIGHT YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE 8 TIRES DUE TO BUBBLES. THE CAR HAS 31,115 MILES ON IT. I TAKE EXTRA CARE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BRIDGESTONE AND BMW. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE COMPANIES BUT THEY GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND BLAME EACH OTHER. BRIDGESTONE SAID THAT BMW BUILT THE CAR TO LOW TO THE GROUND. BMW SAYS THEY DON'T MAKE TIRES. THIS IS SERIOUS.
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2015
FIRST OCCURRENCE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT DISENGAGE LOCK MECHANISM TO ALLOW EGRESS. UNLOCKING VEHICILE RENDERS NOTHING AS THE DOOR LOCK IS INTERMENT AND WILL NOT ALLOW DOOR TO UNLOCK EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. SECOND OCCURRENCE ROUGHLY ONE YEAR LATER, FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK DISPLAYING SAME CHACTERISTICS AS FIRST OCCURRENCE WITH DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.
Electrical system, Visibility, Jun 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS WOULD PREMATURELY WEAR AND FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Seat belts, Jun 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A BEEPING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHETHER THE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED OR NOT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSE THAT THE OCCUPANCY MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Air bags, Seats, Jun 25, 2015
AIRBAG PROBLEM LIGHT CONSTANTLY LIT; "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT ALWAYS ON EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAR IS GIVING A CODE FOR A FAILED PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V564000), BUT MY CAR (BUILD DATE JULY 07, 3-SERIES WITH SPORTS SEATS) IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL OR THE VOLUNTARY WARRANTY EXTENSION ACCORDING TO BMW... .UPDATED 10/04/17 *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE VEHICLE BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PART NUMBER AS THE RECALL PART. UPDATED 10/17/2017*JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FUEL CAP. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD FRACTURED AND AS A RESULT, THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Suspension, Jun 14, 2015
IN TRAFFIC BELT SHREDS AT 70-75MPH ALL ELECTRICAL STEERING AND LIGHT BREAKES GONE
Air bags, Seats, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jun 10, 2015
THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT IN THE 2007 BMW 328XI IS DISPLAYED ON MY DASH INSTRUMENTATION FOR OVER A YEAR.IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD BE DEACTIVATED RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT INDICATED THAT THE MODEL WAS RECALLED. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT NUMEROUS BMW OWNERS HAVE MADE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE AND RECALLS ARE USUALLY INITIATED IN THIS MANNER. REGARDLESS OF THE PRODUCTION TIME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MADE, MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY BMW.
Steering, May 28, 2015
A MESSAGE IN RED APPEARED ON THE DASH WITH A STEERING WHEEL AND PADLOCK. CAR WOULD NOT START. WAS TOLD STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
Electrical system, May 13, 2015
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION LITE UP OUT OF NOWHERE. THE CAR CAN NOT MOVE. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT'S DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. VERY COMMON PROBLEM EXPRESSED BY MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MY CAR. THEY SHOULD'VE CONDUCTED A RECALL ON THIS!! *TR
Exterior lighting, May 11, 2015
SHIELDING ON DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAS FRAYED AND IS PEELING. ADDRESSED THIS MATTER WITH DEALERSHIP WHO IN TURN REFERRED ME TO REGIONAL BRAND MANAGER. BRAND MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE WIRE JUST DOESN'T FRAY AND I MUST HAVE MODIFIED MY VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOCK EXCEPT FOR A K&N FILTER HAS HAD ALL SERVICES PERFORMED AT THE DEALER UNTIL ABOUT A 10 MONTHS WHEN THE FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. I STILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAJOR SERVICES BUT PERFORM OIL CHANGES AND SPARK PLUG CHANGES ON MY OWN. BRAND MANAGER OFFERED TO DISCOUNT A NEW SET OF HEADLIGHTS BY 20% TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT AT OVER $1K FOR EACH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IT SEEMS UNREASONABLE FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I'M ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM NOW AS MY DRL BULBS (H8'S) HAVE BLOWN ON EACH SIDE TWICE OVER THE PAST FOUR MONTHS AND THE SHIELDING DRL HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY PEELED AWAY. A POTENTIAL FIRED HAZARD AS BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE LEADS ARE EXPOSED. HAVING THE HID ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXPOSED HARNESS SEEMS LIKE A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT WHICH MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Visibility, May 5, 2015
SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WAS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY IN THE ONRAMP AT ABOUT 45MPH, VERY BRIGHT AND SUNNY (BUT NOT HOT, MAYBE 75F) DAY. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPEN, A/C OFF, SUNROOF WAS CLOSED, SUNSHADE WAS ALSO CLOSED. SUDDENLY I HEAR WHAT BASICALLY SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT RIGHT ABOVE MY HEAD, AND SINCE HAVING ALREADY HEARD ABOUT THIS PHENOMENON HAPPENING ON A CAR FORUM (E90POST.COM) I REGULARLY VISIT, I INSTANTLY GUESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I LOOK IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEE LARGE PIECES OF MY SUNROOF BOUNCING ALONG ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME. ONCE I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I SAW THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED OUTWARDS. THE BROKEN GLASS WAS CURVED UP AROUND THE HOLE. FROM THAT SAME FORUM THERE ARE SEVERAL THEORIES FLOATING AROUND, THE ONE MOST PEOPLE SEEM TO AGREE ON AS BEING MOST PLAUSIBLE IS THERE'S A HEAT/PRESSURE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUNSHADE/SUNROOF AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE NEGATIVE PRESSURE ON THE OUTSIDE + THE INCREASE OF HEAT UNDER THE GLASS IS ENOUGH TO STRESS WHATEVER IMPERFECTION MIGHT HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN THE GLASS AND LITERALLY SUCK IT OUT. *TR
Air bags, May 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAT SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Air bags, Apr 27, 2015
I HAVE A 2007 BMW 328I AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MY AIR BAG AND RESTRAINT LIGHTS CAME ON. I KNOW THERE ARE RECALLS ON THEM BUT WHEN I ADD MY VIN IT IS NOT ONE OF THEM. I AM A LITTLE WORRIED THAT IF I WERE TO GET INTO A ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 26, 2015
I PARKED ON MY DRIVE WAY NORMALLY WITH EVERYTHING FINE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR ON, IT WOULDN'T START AND IT GAVE ME A STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 22, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON AN EMPTY ROAD WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, THE CABIN LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR WENT ON BLACK OUT MODE. I BEGAN TO PRESS THE BRAKE BUT IT WAS ROUGH AND UNRESPONSIVE, I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO CONTINUE TO STOP SLOWLY, ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I BEGAN TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND SEEMED TO BE FINE, I POPPED THE HOOD OPEN, EXAMINED A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR FLUIDS OR SIGNS OF OVER HEATING AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, CALLED A TOW TRUCK, THE DRIVER TESTED THE BATTERY AND SAID THE BATTERY WAS NOT TAKING THE CHARGE, SO HE TOWED ME HOME, THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE BATTERY TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED IT FROM SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THIS BATTERY HAD A 2 YEAR WARRANTY AND WAS USED FOR 8 MONTHS. I INSTALLED THE BATTERY AND THE POWER IN THE CABIN AND DASH WAS REESTABLISHED, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER I TRY TO START THE CAR AND A CLICKING NOISE FROM WHERE THE FUSE BOX IS LOCATED, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BEGAN. I PULLED THE KEY OUT, ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND AN ICON OF A STEERING WHEEL AND LOCKED POPPED UP, ALL IN RED. I CEASED TO ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, I RESEARCHED THE FOLLOWING DAY AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE BMW DEALER, ON TUESDAY 4/22 THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD ONCE AGAIN AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE STEERING COLUMN MECHANISM WHICH WAS LOCKED, THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $1200 TO PERFORM THE LABOR, APPARENTLY THEY RESET THE CODE AND THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, ONCE I REALIZED THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE AND THAT THERE IS NO SPECIAL CODING TO PERFORM THE JOB, I ASKED FOR THE CAR TO BE RELEASED AFTER PAYING $160. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAUSES THE BATTERY TO PUT OUT HIGHER VOLTAGE THAN THE CAR NEEDS AND THEREFORE CAUSES THE BATTERY TO MALFUNCTION. *TR