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, Seat belts, Jan 26, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FASTEN SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2015
CAR IS SHAKING.
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2015
THE DOOR LOCKS AND CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM ARE MALFUNCTIONING. KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK DRIVER'S DOOR AND OTHER DOORS. KEY MUST BE USED FOR ENTRY. BMW ADMITS IN BULLETINS THAT FUSE AMPERAGE WAS DESIGNED IMPROPERLY. TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LATCHES NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,490.00. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH BMWS. SURPRISED THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ORDERED GIVEN THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 8, 2015
ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING AND CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS. 1 YEAR LATER AT 100K MILES, THE SAME ISSUE HAS ARISEN. THE FUEL SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, SINCE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY. BMW SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE FUEL INJECTORS AS THEY DID WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 2, 2015
THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine, Jan 2, 2015
OIL LEAKING FROM BOLTS FROM HEAD DEFECTED WONDERING IF IS RECALL ABOUT THIS , BURN SMELL FROM ENGINE , WORRY CAN CAUSE FIRE TO MY CAR OR AN ACCIDENT WHEN IM DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 28, 2014
DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN LEAVING ME LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR AND STRANDED. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 300 MILES TO GET IT BACK HOME WHERE A BMW REPAIR PLACE WAS AVAILABLE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT DOOR ACTUATORS AT A COST OF $600.00 JUST TO GET BACK INSIDE MY CAR. IF A BABY WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR IT COULD OF DIED BY THE TIME IT WAS TO GET ANYONE TO HELP GET THE DOORS OPEN. THE MOST DANGEROUS DESIGN I'VE EVER HEARD OF. INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WILL NOT WORK AND NO WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS INSIDE. *TR
Engine, Dec 28, 2014
WATER PUMP FAILURE LEAVING US STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 200 MILES FROM HOME. NO REPAIR SHOPS ANYWHERE NEAR. NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE AT ALL AND NO WAY OF TELLING WHAT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COOLANT GOT TO. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 16, 2014
A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD CAME UP SAYING THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. *TR
Engine, Dec 8, 2014
BURNING SMELL IN CABIN. CHANGED CABIN AIR FILTER WITHOUT ANY IMPROVEMENT. DEALER. OIL FROM VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKAGE IS AN ISSUE IN THIS MODEL. DID INTERNET RESEARCH. APPARENTLY NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A HEALTH HAZARD-SMOKE INHALATION AND ALSO A FIRE HAZARD. I CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THIS CAN HAPPEN. NO FURTHER INFORMATION GIVEN. *TR
Air bags, Nov 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Power train, Engine, Nov 21, 2014
2007 BMW 328 XI WITH 67K MILES ON IT, FIRST THE CAR WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE THEN A FEW DAY LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. THE ENGINE STAYED ON BUT I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY POWER. HAD THE CAR TOWED OVER 150 MILES BACK TO MY HOUSE ONLY TO FIND THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CALLED BMW AND AM WAITNG ON A CALL BACK TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL COVER. I HAVE READ A TON OF COMPALINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THERE WAS ALSO A LAW SUIT FILED BACK IN 2008 AGAINST BMW FOR 2000-2006 MODELS HAVING BAD TRANSMISSION. IF BMW DOESNT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IN A TIMELY MANNER, I WILL ALSO TAKE THEM TO COURT!! *TR
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
SAME AS THIS PERSON PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000. MY VEHICLE MATCHES THE CRITERIA EXACTLY. SPORT SEATS. YET BMW CLAIMS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO VIN. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS A FLOOD OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE YET THEY ARE ALL BEING DENIED BY BMW EVEN THOUGH THEIR VEHICLES FIT THE EXACT PROFILE OF THE RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 12, 2014, fire
2007 BMW E92 335I - JUST TOOK OFF FROM MY HOME (CAR WAS NOT TURNED ON SINCE THE DAY BEFORE ATLEAST NOT AFTER 8PM) 10 MINUTES INTO THE ROAD I TURNED ON MY A/C BLOWER ON MAX. ON ABOUT 2 OR 3 MINUTES, SUDDENLY IT SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED WORKING FOLLOWED BY PLASTIC BURNING SMELL. AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT THE DASHBOARD AND JUST LIKE THAT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ON THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND SO ON... I STRANGER FROM AN TIRE SHOP RAN UP AND USED AN EXTINGUISHER TO STOP THE FIRE. SADLY THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO GLOVE COMPARTMENT, DASHBOARD, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LIKE FUSE BOX, PASSENGER DOOR, FRONT AND TOP INTERIOR.PLUS SOME MONEY I HAD STORED IN THE (WAS MY WAY TO THE BANK TO MAKE A DEPOSIT AND PICKUP MY FIANCEE) IM STILL WAITING FOR MY INSURANCE DECISION. IM VERY WORRIED SINCE I'VE SEARCH AROUND IN FORUMS AND I'VE READ ABOUT SOME OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FIRES WITH NO RESPONSE/RESOLUTION FROM BMW. I'VE OWNED A MINI COOPER AND 2 BMWS. MY COUSINS, AUNT, GRANPA (E30) HAVE BMWS. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
Air bags, Seats, Nov 7, 2014
PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000. MY VEHICLE MATCHES THE CRITERIA EXACTLY. SPORT SEATS. YET BMW CLAIMS IT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO VIN. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS A FLOOD OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE YET THEY ARE ALL BEING DENIED BY BMW EVEN THOUGH THEIR VEHICLES FIT THE EXACT PROFILE OF THE RECALL. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 30, 2014
I WAS PARKED, PLACED MY CAR IN REVERSE AND IMMEDIATELY ALL OF MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED (4X4 MALFUNCTION, ABS BRAKE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION) THEN MY CAR LOST POWER. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE SET POSITIONING MOTOR FAILING ON THESE VEHICLES. THE BMW DEALER PART # IS 27 10 7 546 671. THERE IS AN INTERNAL GEAR, WITH IN THE SET POSITIONING MOTOR, MADE OUT OF PLASTIC THAT WEARS PREMATURELY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW'S AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY VEHICLE BECOME DISABLED WITH OUT WARNING, LEAVING ME STRANDED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2014
RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STATING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, SO I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE POWER OFF TO READ UP ON THE WARNING LIGHTS, I GOT A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL AND CAR WOULD NOT START. *TR
Air bags, Oct 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2014
APPARENTLY, THE ELECTRONIC KEY IS DEFECTIVE, LEADING TO AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO STEER OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT POWER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO START. I NOTIFIED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE KEYS HAVE A NON-REPLACEABLE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY, THAT MAY "WEAR OUT", AND THEREFORE NOT HOLD A CHARGE! THEY INFORMED ME THAT AS MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT KEY UNLESS I PURCHASED A NEW ONE ($250), I POINTED OUT THAT NOWHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS IT STATED THAT KEYS NEED REPLACEMENT, NOR THE HAZARD OF DRIVING WITH A "WORN OUT" KEY. THE REPRESENTATIVE ([XXX], EMP.#[XXX]) STATED "THERE IS NOTHING BMW CAN DO IN THIS CASE." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Oct 11, 2014
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON 3 OCCASIONS CAUSING ME TO FAIL SMOG INSPECTION THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. *TR
Steering, Oct 6, 2014
VEHICLE HAS A CONSTANT STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ACTUALLY LOCK, BUT THE WARNING IS CONSTANT. DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 3, 2014
THE ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCK FAILED AND PREVENTED THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO UNLOCK CAR DOOR FROM INSIDE. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2014
UPON STARTING THE CAR THERE WAS A RAPID SOUND OF THE DOOR LOCKS, LOCKING AND OPENING SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN STOPPED. THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CHECKED ALL THE FUSES BUT NONE WERE BLOWN. AFTER ONLINE RESEARCH DID REPLACE THE #57 FUSE WITH A 20 AMP VS 15 AS SUGGESTED BUT STILL NOT WORKING. IF YOU MESS WITH IT LONG ENOUGH IT WILL UNLOCK BUT THE OTHER DOORS WILL BE LOCKED. IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THIS HAPPENED , MYSELF OR THE OTHER OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT HARM TO US. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND BMW SHOULD TAKE SOME ACTION TO CORRECT THIS, AN OVERRIDE FIX OR OTHER SAFETY MEASURE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY VIEW! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CYLINDERS SHUT DOWN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 22, 2014
FUEL INJECTORS FAILING. KNOWN RECALL EXISTS WITH BMW FOR MFG DATES BETWEEN 04/02/2007 THROUGH 10/31/2008. BMW REFUSES TO COVER MY CAR UNDER THE RECALL AS MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN LATE 2006. HOWEVER, THE PIEZO INJECTOR PART NUMBER IS THE SAME AS THE PART NUMBER UNDER RECALL, THE SYMPTOMS AND RESULTING FAILURE OF THE CAR IS ALSO EXACTLY THE SAME AS DOCUMENTED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE DOCUMENTED THOROUGHLY ONLINE AND WITHIN BMW'S DATABASE. I PROPOSE BMW TO EXTEND THEIR RECALL TO COVER ALL MODEL YEARS WITH THIS PART NUMBER. *TR