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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,040

Of the 2007 reports, 29 involved a crash and 61 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.

Primary concernElectrical system288 reports · 28% of complaints
Owner complaints1,040Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system288
  2. Air bags226
  3. Engine163
  4. Fuel system124
  5. Steering116
  6. Gasoline113
  7. Latches/locks/linkages93
  8. Engine and engine cooling66

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  1. Electrical system, Structure, Feb 13, 2014

    I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR UNABLE TO UNLOCK. I COULD NOT USE THE MANUAL DOOR HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OR OUT. THE INTERIOR DOOR OPEN BUTTON LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK IT. I FINALLY HAD TO MANEUVER ACROSS THE CENTER CONSOLE AND SLIDE OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. I WAS SCARED AND FRUSTRATED. IT WAS DARK AND IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. *TR

  2. Air bags, Feb 13, 2014

    I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER DRIVING IT TO THE PARK & GOT A FAULT THAT SAID RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT- FORCE LIMITER. I RESEARCHED THIS & FOUND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A RECALL ON MY CAR & YEAR, BUT WHEN I CALL, THEY SAY IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VIN. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM WITH A TON OF OWNERS. I'VE ALSO READ THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE CALL & COMPLAIN & THEY'LL END UP FIXING IT UNDER THE RECALL. BUT, I'M HAVING NO LUCK. I'D UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS JUST ME, BUT THEY'VE RECALLED IT ON THE SANE EXACT CAR & YEAR AS MINE & I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MINE WOULDN'T FALL UNDER THIS RECALL! *TR

  3. Air bags, Jan 28, 2014

    HAVE HAD ISSUE WITH MY ONE OF MY 2 --- 2007 330I'S DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". A DETAILED MESSAGE SAYS "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF OVER $1000,00. I RECENTLY LEARNED BMW HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND HAS RECALLED 2006-2007 CARS BUT ANY VEHICLE MADE AFTER SEPTEMBER 2006 IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. MINE WERE MANUFACTURED JAN 2007. I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PART AS THE RECALLED ONES AND BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PROBLEM. *TR

  4. Steering, Jan 26, 2014

    I HAD JUST EXITED OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A LIGHT WHEN THE STEERING "LOCKED UP". I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO STEER AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, THE CAR "COAST" TO THE SIDE OF THIS NON-BUSY ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME WITHOUT ANY ISSUES A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER. HOWEVER, THIS INCIDENT HAS ME AND MY FAMILY FREAKED OUT AS WE FREQUENTLY TRAVEL WITH OUR CHILDREN. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES IF THIS LOCK UP WERE TO HAPPEN ON A FREEWAY AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FOLKS COMPLAIN OF THIS ISSUE AND AM AFRAID IT MAY RESURFACE ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING. I'LL HAVE MY CAR TAKEN TO A SERVICE SHOP NEAR MY HOME AND HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE, BUT HAVING READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS TO BE ALONG SIMILAR LINES OF THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE. HAS BMW OWNED UP TO THIS AND ARE THEY ISSUING A RECALL? *TR

  5. Wheels, Jan 21, 2014

    TPMS ALERTED US OF A LOW TIRE. WHEN TAKEN TO REPAIR WE WHERE NOTIFIED THE LEFT REAR RIM WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING AIR. CAR WAS ONLY DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY, NO ROUGH ROADS...WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE RIM TO CRACK? I UNDERSTAND THE UK'S NTSB HAS ISSUED A RECALL AS BMW ADMITTED THAT THEIR WHEELS HAD DEFECTIVE ALLOY METAL CAUSING THE RIMS TO BREAKDOWN. HOWEVER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS NOT ADMITTED TO ANY DEFECTIVE METAL AND HAS NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY. HOPE THIS GETS REVIEWED FOR SAFETY BEFORE SOME GETS PHYSICALLY INJURED OR DIES AS A RESULT OF THESE DEFECTIVE WHEELS. HAVING REVIEWED THE FORUM, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THESE DISCUSSIONS REGARDING CRACKED RIMS ON BMWS. THIS IS NOT A ONE CASE INCIDENT, THEREBY WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR

  6. Steering, Jan 17, 2014

    I WAS DRIVING MY 328I WITH 48K MILES AND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK ICON CAME UP ON THE DASH PANEL. IT KEPT GIVING THE WARNING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO START IT. I DROVE IT HOME AND WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF, I WAS ABLE TO CRANK IT BACK UP AND HAD NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING IN TEST DRIVE. DEALER TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE COLUMN BECAUSE IT COULD ACTUALLY LOCK. THIS WOULD BE DISASTROUS ON A FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CAL WHERE I LIVE. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE BMW 328I MODELS BECAUSE I AM READING OTHER ONLINE POSTS STATING THE STEERING DID LOCK. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT, HOPING THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA WILL SEE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT YET THEY WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

  7. Air bags, Jan 6, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

  8. Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 2, 2014

    I OWN A BMW 3 SERIES 2007 THAT I PURCHASED 3 YEARS AGO WITH A DEALER. SIX WEEKS AGO A DASH BOARD LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". A DETAILED MESSAGE SAYS "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY THE NEAREST BMW CENTER". I HAVE SEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT SEEMS BMW 3 AND 5 SERIES CARDS MANUFACTURED IN 2003 - 2008 HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT BMW SHOULD RECALL AND FIX IMMEDIATELY. *TR

  9. Steering, Dec 30, 2013

    THE CAR FORTUNATELY WAS NOT IN MOTION HOWEVER THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS NOT ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AS WELL AS PREVENTING THE CAR TO START. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON INHERENT PROBLEM WITH BMW. IN WHICH COSTS THE CONSUMER ~$1800 TO FIX EVEN THOUGH IT'S A MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE ISSUE AND NOT A PARTS ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. *TR

  10. Exterior lighting, Dec 25, 2013

    PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS THOUGHT TO BE OUT. BROUGHT TO LOCAL BMW DEALER AND HAD THEM TELL ME I NEED A WHOLE HEADLIGHT SINCE THE TURN SIGNAL BURNED INSIDE. *TR

  11. Engine, Dec 23, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

  12. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2013

    SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND HE BATTERY INDICATOR CAME ON A FEW TIMES. THE FINAL TIME AFTER DRIVING FROM CONNECTICUT TO QUEENS NY, I WAS IN A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY AFTER DROPPING THEM OFF FROM THE AIRPORT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START EVEN THOUGHT THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. EVENTUALLY ALL POWER WAS LOST. I HAD TO HAVE CAR PUSHED OUT IF THE DRIVING AND ON TO THE STREET. ALSO TO NOTE EARLIER I WAS CHARGING MY CELL PHONE, BUT IT STOPPED CHARGING. I WENT AND PURCHASE A NEW CHARGED (USB ADAPTOR) WHICH DID NOT WORK EITHER, BUT WORKED WHEN I HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER. THE TOW TRUCK PERSON WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED WITH A JUMP, AND INDICATED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I REVIEWED THE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE SINCE MY CAR HAS SUCH LOW MILAGE, AND NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL FROM FEBRUARY 2013. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE SAME, BUT IT SOUNDS SIMILAR.

  13. Steering, Dec 4, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ELV) IN THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

  14. Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 18, 2013

    WHEN A PERSON IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT BELT AND LARGE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH AND STAY ON. ONCE THE PASSENGER EXITS THE CAR, THE LIGHTS GO OFF. I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE 2006 328I BUT NOT FOR THE 2007. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

  15. Wheels, Nov 10, 2013

    REAR ALLOY WHEEL IS CRACKED RESULTING IN LOSS OF PRESSURE. NO IMPACT OCCURRED TO CAUSE THIS CRACK. *TR

  16. Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 26, 2013

    I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL. ALL OF SUDDEN, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. I HAD TO PULL OVER THE SHOULDER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT DIDN'T SUCCEED. I HAD TO ASK FOR TOWING TO THE MECHANIC. AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FUEL PUMP FUSE PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN DEC 2006. SO I HAD TO PAY IT MYSELF FOR THE REPAIR ($600) *JS

  17. Engine, Sep 24, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC NOTICE THE HEAD BOLTS TO THE ENGINE WERE FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEAD BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  18. Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 20, 2013

    BRAKES GO OUT A LOT FRONT AND REAR ON BOTH MY BMWS , AND PASSENGERS REAR DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING ON BOTH MY BMW'S 2006 325, AND 328I 2007. WINDOWS ON BOTH RIGHT REAR DOORS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. I'VE BEEN TELLING THE BMW DEALER ABOUT THESE THINGS AND ALL THEY SAY IS WHAT IT WILL COST ME TO FIX. I EVEN TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON BOTH MY CARS AND THEY HAD ME PAY FOR IT, THEN LATER I FIND OUT IT IS A RECALL. BUT DIDN'T GET MONEY BACK FOR ME PAYING TO GET IT FIXED. SAME THING ABOUT THE BRAKES , BOTH MY BMWS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THEN 30 TIMES OR MORE APIECE. CAN SOMEONE HELP. *TR

  19. Engine, Sep 12, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

  20. Engine, Sep 3, 2013

    ON AUGUST 31ST, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE NUMBER 2 LANE AT 70 MPH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OVERHEAT LIGHT CAME ON AND I EXPERIENCED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND WAS FORCED TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE ACROSS SEVERAL BUSY LANES TO THE SHOULDER. I ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN, ADDED SOME WATER AND I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST DEALER 5 MILES AWAY. UPON ENTERING THE FREEWAY AGAIN THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND I WAS FORCED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. THE BMW DEALERSHIP QUOTED $1332.00 TO REPAIR. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE BMW'S RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE FALLS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THIS LOSS OF POWER IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND AT HIGH SPEED WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS LOSS OF POWER AND THE COMMON OCCURRENCE I WOULD RECOMMEND A RECALL OR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO BE ISSUED FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. *JB

  21. Electrical system, Structure, Equipment, Aug 22, 2013

    THE DOOR ACTUATOR SYSTEM ON MY 2007 BMW 3281 HAS FAILED TWICE, ONCE LOCKING ME IN AND THE OTHER TIME IMMOBILIZING THE CAR AND STRANDING ME FOR SEVERAL HOURS.I NOTICED THE FIRST FAILURE WHEN I STOPPED FOR GAS & COULD NOT OPEN THE FUEL FLAP. I DROVE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY, AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT LOWER AND THE OTHER THREE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. FORTUNATELY, THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT ON THE DOOR CIRCUIT & I WAS ABLE TO TOSS OUT THE FOB KEY FOR SOMEONE TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR AND LET ME OUT. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE 15 AMP FUSE IN THE DOOR CIRCUIT WITH A 20 AMP FUSE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. CONCLUSION: THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I DROVE HOME AFTER A STATE INSPECTION. WHEN I PARKED AND HIT THE FOB LOCK BUTTON, I HEARD A MUFFLED NOISE. THE FUSE HAD BLOWN AGAIN. I UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE FOB KEY AND AFTER MUCH TIME AND GREAT EFFORT, I INSTALLED A ANOTHER 20 AMP FUSE. BECAUSE THE PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN WHEN THE CIRCUIT BLOWS, REPLACING THE FUSE IS VERY DIFFICULT, NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. IT REQUIRES AGILITY, KNOW-HOW, AND GOOD CONDITIONS--NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN COUNT ON IN THE GENERAL POPULATION. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION: GO BACK TO MECHANICAL LOCKING, ELECTRONIC LOCKING IS A BAD SOLUTION AT LEAST, YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE CAR. SECOND: REQUIRE BMW TO RECALL THE ORIGINAL ACTUATORS AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW DESIGNS THAT, IF THEY TOO FAIL, THEY FAIL IN A DOOR-OPEN MODE. AT THE VERY LEAST, CAR MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO OFFER BUYERS A CHOICE BETWEEN MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC DOOR OPENING. LIVES ARE AT STAKE. *TR

  22. Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 15, 2013

    I OWN A 2007 328I ,RECENTLY MY CAR HAS BEEN GIVING ME AN ERROR MESSAGE DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. WHENEVER, A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT IT, A LIGHT TURNS ON LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS MEANS THAT IN CASE OF A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER'S LIFE WILL BE AT RISK. AFTER THE ERROR MESSAGE I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THE ISSUE IS VERY COMMON IN THE 3-SERIES. BMW ACTUALLY DID A VOLUNTARY RECALL BUT IT ONLY INVOLVED 2006 3-SERIES. HOWEVER, I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE RECALL WAS ABOUT. I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW PACIFIC IN GLENDALE AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP ME SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HERE IS THE RECALL THAT BMW ANNOUNCED: "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008 TODAY, BMW ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. AFFECTED ARE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 3-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-06 5-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES, DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. BMW HAS FOUND THAT THE SENSOR MAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE USAGE DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT. LINK: HTTP://WWW.BMWUSA.COM/STANDARD/CONTENT/CONTACTUS/VOLUNTARYRECALL.ASPX I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY BMW ONLY COVERED 06 MODELS WHEN 07 MODELS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY IRRESPONSIBLE AND NEGLIGIBLE ON THEIR PART. I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ME OUT WITH THE ISSUE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING AND INCLUDE MY CAR IN THE RECALL. I HAVE A WIFE AND DAUGHTER THAT RIDE WITH ME AND THE LAST THING I WANT IS FOR ANYONE TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OVER SOMETHING THAT CAN BE PREVENTED BY BMW. THANK YOU. *TR

  23. Engine, Aug 15, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2013

    I WAS GOING ABOUT 50 TO 55 MPA WHEN MY TEMP LIGHT CAME ON, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS MY CAR LOST SPEED RAPIDLY AND COMPLETELY QUIT LOCKING EVERYTHING UP ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH 100,000 MILE WARRENTY.WHEN I CALLED CENTURY BMW DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE, AL WHERE I PURCHASED IT I WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY WENT OUT TWO MONTHS AGO ON 5/15 ACCORDING TO DATE OF SHIPMENT, A FEW DAY'S BEFORE I HAD RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY FACTORY WARNING MAY BE EXPIRING BASED ON TIME AND MILES IT STATED THAT AVAILABLE COVERAGE EXPIRES ON 8/23/2013 WHICH WAS 21 DAY'S AFTER DATE OF FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS TIME I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT IS NOT WHAT THE STATEMENT SAID.WHEN TOWED TO SHOP IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AT A COST OF $1,212.11 PLUS TOWING CHARGE THAT I DO NOT HAVE A BILL ON YET WHICH SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN COVERED. I AM JUST LUCKY THAT NO ONE BEHIND ME SLAMMED INTO THE REAREND OF CAR OF LUCKILY NOT TURNING IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING EXCEPT SECONDS BEFORE IT STOPPED COLD. I HAD TOOK THE CAR IN BEFORE BECAUSE I SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AND HAVE AT TIMES SINCE THEN SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE BUT SINCE I HAD IT CHECKED OUT JUST THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT MODEL. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, SO WHY WAS THEIR NO RECALL STATING THE DANGER OF THIS HAPPENING. AND WHY ARE THEY NOT HONORING THEIR WARRANTY. *TR

  25. Seat belts, Aug 5, 2013

    PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *TR