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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 17, 2014
SOUND OF METAL BEING DRAGGED ALONG THE GROUND. FRIENDS WIRED THE METAL PIECE TO CAR'S UNDERBODY AND I DROVE OVER 300 MILES ON THE HIGHWAYS NOT REALIZING IT WAS THE STRAP FOR THE GAS TANK. TOOK IT TO BMW AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET IT ON A LIFT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND TOOK OFF THE 'BROKEN' STRAP. NOW WAITING FOR TWO DAYS FOR THE PIECE TO COME FROM BMW. WENT ONLINE AND SAW THERE WERE OTHER POSTINGS ON A BMW 'BLOG SITE' REFERRING TO THIS PROBLEM, AND CAUSING ME SOME ALARM THAT THE GAS TANK COULD SPLIT!!! HOPE THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF 328XI MODELS! *TR
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2014
5DF0 - PUMP UNIT FAULTY 5DF1 - PUMP UNIT PLUG FAULTY . *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 16, 2014
THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL LISTING MY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE CONTACTED BMWUSA AND A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP WITH BOTH CLAIMING MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND VEHICLE PRODUCTION DATE IS SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS LISTED OR WHY BMW IS NOT ASSISTING FURTHER. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MODEL YEARS 1999-2006. THE CONSUMER FEELS 2007 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. UPDATED 4/20/2015 *JS
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Sep 6, 2014
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION - WARNING ERROR IS ON AFTER MULTIPLES BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. AIRBAG IS NO LONGER WORKING SINCE THIS WARNING IS ON. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION WARMING ARE ON BUT STILL WORKING/ON. THE RIGHT REAR NIGHT LIGHT IS NOT WORKING BUT NO WARNING ERROR MESSAGE. WE CHANGED THE BULB BUT STILL NOT WORKING... PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Air bags, Sep 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2014
BOTH REAR LIGHT HOUSINGS HAVE MELTED FROM SOME SORT OF SHORT OR GROUNDING ISSUE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2014, crash
MY CAR HAD ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED AT 35,XXX MILES BACK IN FEB OF 2010. NOW AT 69,285 MILES ALL SIX HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING SOMEONE TO REAR END ME ON AN ON RAMP. FAILING INJECTORS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINE. THESE INJECTORS HAVE A 120,000 MILE SERVICE INTERVAL BUT THEY FAILED FOR ME AT NEARLY EXACTLY 35,000 TWICE. HOPEFULLY ENOUGH PEOPLE WILL MAKE THIS AN ISSUE TO HAVE THIS BECOME A RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY KEY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 27, 2014
FAULT CODE "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" APPEARS ON THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT THE CODE IS FAULTY. CODE COULD AFFECT THE PASSENGER IF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 27, 2014
AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH REMAIN LIT AT ALL TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED" INDICATOR REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ISSUE WHICH CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS, YET APPARENTLY NOT FOR MY VIN. THE DISABLED PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AND CLEARLY MY VIN SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Structure, Aug 26, 2014
HI, I THINK, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW HAS TO FIX. MY AUTOMATIC CAR LOCK GETS STUCK AND I CAN ONLY OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN. THE MANUAL LEVER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BACK DOOR DOESN'T OPEN THE DOOR. MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE STUCK AND SOME HOW MANUALLY THEY CRAWLED OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL AND I WAS WONDERING IF MY SON WAS 20YRS OLD, HOW CAN HE COME THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM THE BACK SEAT. BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS NOT RECALLED THE CARS TO FIX THE MANUAL OVERRIDE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER DOESN'T WORK. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 25, 2014
INJECTORS 1-3 HAVE FAILED. LOOKED UP BMW CUSTOMER TSB'S AND FOUND (SI B13 14 10) CUSTOMER LETTER DESCRIBING A KNOWN FAILING PART WITH SPECIFIC PART NUMBERS THAT CORRELATE. I HAVE THESE PART NUMBERS CURRENTLY INSTALLED IN MY CAR AND FAILING. MY CAR WAS TAKEN IN PREVIOUSLY FOR A RELATED TSB DUE TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT LOOK INTO THE REST OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. **A LETTER WAS SENT TO ME ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP AND SOFTWARE UPDATE. I DID NOT REQUEST SERVICE OR HAVE ANY ISSUES AT THE TIME. NOW THAT MY "EXTENDED SERVICE" FOR THESE PARTS IS UP, BMW IS NOT WILLING TO HELP! I THINK THIS IS BS CONSIDERING 1. THE DEALERSHIP COULD HAVE CHANGED THE KNOWN FAULTY PART DURING MY PREVIOUS SERVICE. 2. WHY WAS THIS NOT FOLLOWED UP ON BY BMWNA SINCE ITS ALL PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM? *TR
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2014, fire
I PARKED THE CAR AT WORK AT 7:30 AM. AT NOON A CO-WORKER NOTIFIED ME THAT MY CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE IN THE CABIN. I WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW THIS AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I WAITED FOR THEM TO SHOW, AND OPENED THE DOOR AS SMOKE POURED OUT FROM THE CABIN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS AN ACTIVE FIRE IN THE GLOVEBOX. IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AROUND THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE AC AND THE FUSE BOX . MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Engine, Aug 20, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 15-20 MINUTES, THE YELLOW ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND QUICKLY TURNED TO RED, WITHIN 5 SECONDS. THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND MY SPEED QUICKLY BEGAN TO SLOW. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE CAR WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO CROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH NO ACCELERATION WHICH NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. MY CAR WAS ROLLING TO A STOP ON HE HIGHWAY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 15-20 MINUTES. *TR
Steering, Aug 19, 2014
THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. A KNOWN AND CONSISTENT PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE, YET NO RECALL. A FAULTY LOCK MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN COULD LEAD TO A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 12, 2014
GOING APPROX. 55-60 MPH, SUDDEN NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SHUT DOWN THEN RESTART AND DRIVE FOR ABOUT 200FT THEN WENT INTO LIMP MODE, STAYED IN LIMP MODE UNTIL I GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 DAYS LATER. TRIED RESTARTING TWICE THE FOLLOWING DAY WHICH RESULTED IN 3-6 SEC CRANK TIME THEN ONCE STARTED IT WOULD HAVE LOW THROTTLE RESPONSE WITH HEAVY VIBRATION, AFTER ABOUT 10 SECS IT WOULD GO IN LIMP MODE AGAIN WITH HEAVIER CHUGGING AND VIBRATION AND EVENTUALLY SHUTDOWN WITH 7 SECS WITH A "CHOKING" SOUND. LACK OF FUEL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 9, 2014
I HAVE A COMPLAINT/SITUATION WITH MY 2007 BMW 328IX SEDAN. BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR AT THEIR COST A SIGNIFICANT LIFE SAFETY FUEL PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 1, 2014 WHILE DRIVING ALONG A PAVED STREET IN PULLMAN WASHINGTON, THE CARS ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CAMP BMW IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON FOR EXAMINATION AND REPAIR. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOUT $700 AND WOULD BE REPAIRED THAT DAY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE REP WHO SAID THEY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM TO BE WORSE THAN EXPECTED. THE FUEL PUMP HAD A DRAW TUBE THAT DREW FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP AND I WAS TOLD IT FELL OFF AND THEY WERE TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FISH IT OUT OF THE FUEL TANK, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE READY THAT DAY. I STARTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER BMW'S OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AGE/MODEL. WHAT WAS ALARMING WAS THAT COMMENTS I WAS SEEING INDICATED THAT THE DRAW TUBE THAT FELL OFF IN OTHER BMW'S HAD DONE SO BECAUSE THE FUEL GRADE REQUIRED FOR BMW'S WERE CORROSIVE TO THE DRAW TUBE AND THE FUEL ATE AWAY AT THE TUBES UNTIL THEY FELL OFF WITH THE SAME RESULT OF IMMEDIATE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. INDICATIONS FROM OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM INDICATED THAT DEALERSHIPS TOLD THEM THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, TANK AND DRAW TUBE FOR UPWARDS OF $3,000. A REPLACEMENT TANK AND FUEL TANK WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN ANOTHER 7 YEARS OR LESS AND IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR NOT TO MENTION A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. MY SERVICE REP CONTACTED BMW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND BMW TOLD HIM THEY WOULD CREDIT MY REPAIRS FOR THE SUM OF $500 BRING MY COST FOR THE REPAIRS IN EXCESS OF $1,900.
Air bags, Seats, Aug 5, 2014
PERSON KNEELED ON PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SEAT RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS PART IS BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR SOME 2007 BMW'S BUT NOT MY VIN. *TR
Air bags, Aug 4, 2014
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
Air bags, Aug 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 1, 2014
PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FAILED (CODE 93C3), DISABLING POTENTIAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. APPARENTLY THIS PARTICULAR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE EXPAND THIS RECALL. BMW HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER THE RECALL, SO WE PAID NEARLY $1,200 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY OC3 MAT. *TR
Steering, Jul 28, 2014
STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AND STRANDED CONSUMER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE 2007 328XI AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS DONE NOTHING OTHER THAN FORCE THE CONSUMER TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING FLAW. *JS
Structure, Engine, Jul 27, 2014
ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS: WAS DRIVING OUR CAR YESTERDAY AND WENT OVER SOME TRAIN TRACKS. THEY WERE BUMPY BUT NOT JARRING OR EXCESSIVE. RIGHT AFTER THAT A STRONG VIBRATION STARTED GOING THROUGH THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND FOUND THE FOUR BOLTS HOLDING THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET TO THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD ALL SHEARED OR FALLEN OUT. THE ENGINE IS NOW SITTING AT AN ANGLE. *JS
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 25, 2014
THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK HAS CEASED TO OPERATE ON MY 2007 BMW 328I. IT DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH EITHER THE KEY FOB OR THE MAIN UNLOCK SWITCH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THERE WERE ANY KIND OF EMERGENCY INVOLVING THIS DOOR NEEDING TO BE OPENED. *TR