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, Seats, May 13, 2013
I PURCHASED MY BMW IN GERMANY!!! THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2006 (I DRIVE A 2007) MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN THIS MAT BECOMES DEFECTIVE, IT DISABLES AIRBAG SYSTEMS IN THE VEHICLES. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM SINCE 2008 (WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED), HOWEVER THESE CARS WERE PRODUCED FROM 2006-2008+ BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE RECALL ONLY COVERS 2006 MODELS WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. IF THE SAME EXACT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE PRODUCED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT YOU ONLY COVER ONE YEAR OF IT BEING PRODUCED WHEN THERE WERE THREE, WHAT GOOD IS THAT? WHY IS IT THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND IN A CAR THAT HAS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE DETECTION MAT AND BET ON MY LUCK THAT I DON'T GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND BE CAUGHT WITH NO AIR BAGS FOR SAFETY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM... *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, May 13, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS NOT COVERED ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. MY BMW 2007 328 CONVERTIBLE HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS IDENTIFIED BELOW. I HAVE REPAIRED IT AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE, WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS FAULTY PART MUST HAVE BEEN USED IN MY 2007 328 CONVERTIBLE. AUGUST 2008 -- BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES (SPORT SEAT), MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES (STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT), AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN OCCUR. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417. BMW IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES: MY 2006 6-SERIES, 3-SERIES (STANDARD SEAT), MY 2004-2005 Z4, MY 2004-2006 7-SERIES, MY 2006 X5, AND MY 2004-2006 5-SERIES (COMFORT SEAT). UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT IN A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCES THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS RECALL WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, EA08-001, CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION. 08V384. *TR
Engine, May 13, 2013
THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT-OFFS IN MOTION. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 15MPH & THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE TURNING INTO A BLOCK (RESIDENTIAL AREA), AFTER IDLING ROUGH AND HIGH PITCH NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE 2ND OCCURRENCE, THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY. THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A HILL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE 3RD TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED. ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACE IN PARK MODE & RE-STARTED. THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN & THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. NOTE: SINCE JANUARY 2012, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES FOR IDLING ROUGH AND HIGH PITCH NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPLAINTS. THE ISSUE NOW HAS PROGRESS TO ENGINE FAILURE IN MOTION. *TR
Engine, May 6, 2013
CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE DUE TO EXCESSIVE ENGINE TEMPERATURE DETECTED. CAUSE OF ENGINE OVERHEATING WAS A FAULTY ELECTRIC WATER PUMP. DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2013
WENT TO UNLOCK DOORS WITH KEY FOB. ALL UNLOCKED BUT DRIVERS DOOR. HAD TO USE MANUAL KEY. ONCE INSIDE, RELOCKED DOORS AND THEN COULD NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR. ONLY WAY TO OPEN DRIVERS DOOR IS WITH MANUAL KEY FROM OUTSIDE. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BMW! AND APPARENTLY A WELL KNOWN ONE. *TR
Wheels, Apr 27, 2013
YOU CAN'T HIT A POT HOLE WITHOUT BENDING A RIM MY DAUGHTER JUST BOUGHT 09 328 WITH 7800 MILES, DROVE IT 3000MILES, HAS ONE CRACKED RIM, TWO BENT RIMS AND THE SHOP SAID SHE HAS TWO DAMAGED TIRES. SHE BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES. I'M SORRY I TOLD HER TO BUY BMW. MY SON BOUGHT 08 335XI WITH 60000 MILES. DROVE IT FOR A FEW MONTHS, THE DEALER SAID IT NEEDED 3 RIMS STRAIGHTEN. ALSO BECAUSE IT HAD A MIS THE DEALER GAVE HIM AN ESTIMATE FOR $18,000.00 TO FIX THE RIMS, THE TWO LEAKS AND THE TRANSMISSION. HE GOT RID OF IT AS FAST AS HE COULD AND TOOK A BEATING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 56YRS WITHOUT A BENT RIM UNTIL I BOUGHT THE 07 BMW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 19, 2013
AT APPROXIMATELY 4:15 PM ON 4/18/13 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROADWAY AT APPROX 35MPH IN MY 2007 BMW 328XI COUPE, 65540 MILES. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLES INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ORANGE FOR COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING. WITHIN 5 SEC THE INDICATOR FLASHED RED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AND I WAS LEFT TO COAST OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. LUCKILY THE INTERSECTION WAS SLIGHTLY DOWN HILL SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB WITHOUT BEING T-BONED. APPARENTLY THIS ENGINE SHUT DOWN IS A DESIGNED FEATURE IN THIS MODEL BMW (2007 328XI) TO SAVE THE ENGINE IN THE CASE OF OVERHEATING. WHILE THIS FEATURE MEANS WELL IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS OTHER BMW CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EVENTS WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATES AND SPEEDS UP TO 80MPH (SEE BIMMERFORUMS AND ABOUTAUTOMOBILE). THIS TYPE OF EVENT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS COULD ABSOLUTELY LEAD TO LOSS OF PROPERTY AND/OR LIFE. THE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 85F AND I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A 30MIN IN PRE-RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC BEFORE THE EVENT. AT THE TIME,TRAFFIC WAS NOT STOP AND GO AND I WAS MOVING AT A FAIRLY CONSISTENT 30MPH. THERE WAS LESS THAN 10-15 SEC BETWEEN THE FIRST COOLANT WARNING FLASHING ORANGE, PROCEEDING TO RED, AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THESE WERE THE ONLY INDICATIVE WARNINGS OF A PROBLEM. THE OIL TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 230F. AFTER LETTING THE CAR COOL FOR SEVERAL HOURS I CHECKED THE COOLANT WHICH WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR THE REMAINING 1.5 MILES TO MY HOME. AT HOME, I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS OVERHEATING SHUT DOWN EVENT BY TURNING THE AC ON AND REVVING THE ENGINE FROM 2000 TO 3000 RPM AT A STANDSTILL. AFTER ABOUT 5MIN, ONCE AGAIN THE INDICATOR PANEL FLASHED ORANGE, 5 SECONDS LATER RED, LEADING TO ENGINE SHUT DOWN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS YET AGAIN REPLICATED THE SHORT 10 SEC WARNING BEFORE COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. *TR
Wheels, Apr 16, 2013
I JUST DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT REAR RIM ON MY 2007 BMW 328 CONVERTIBLE IS CRACKED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 38K MILES ON IT. THE TIRES ARE 225/45 17' RUN-FLATS. I HAD FOUR NEW TIRES PUT ON ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I GOT THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I CHECKED, DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING, AND RESET THE TPM SUCCESSFULLY. SINCE IT WAS A COLD MORNING, I FIGURED THE SENSOR WAS JUST REACTING TO PRESSURE CHANGE DUE TO THE TEMPERATURE CHANGE. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT CAME AGAIN. I DECIDED TO CHECK, AND FOUND THE PRESSURE WAS DOWN TO ABOUT 25 PSI. I FILLED THE TIRE TO RECOMMENDED PSI. I DROVE ABOUT 260 MILES ON SUNDAY, MOSTLY FREEWAY SPEEDS. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. AT THAT TIME I WAS ON A FREEWAY, GOING ABOUT 70 MPH. ONCE I GOT TO HOME, I FILLED THE TIRE (AGAIN IT WAS ABOUT 25 PSI), AND THE WARNING STOPPED. YESTERDAY THE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TIRE SHOP. THEY DIDN'T FIND A PUNCTURE; BUT REMOUNTED IT AND FILLED IT. I DROVE HOME, AND A FEW HOURS LATER, THE WARNING CAME ON AGAIN. THIS MORNING, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP, AND THEY AGAIN REMOVED THE TIRE. THIS TIME THEY DID A VERY CLOSE INSPECTION AND FOUND THE CRACK IN THE RIM. THEY ARE ORDERING ME A REPLACEMENT RIM. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET, THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BMW RIMS AND RUN-FLAT TIRES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE RIM WOULD HAVE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHILE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS COULD BE DEADLY. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHARGING MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND POSITIVE CABLE CONNECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TR UPDATED 6/17/13 *CN UPDATED 06/25/13
Engine, Apr 4, 2013
THE THERMOSTAT WAS FAILING TO COOL THE VEHICLE UNDER EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS (OVER 100 DEGREE DAYS), TOOK VEHICLE IN TO CHECK THE THERMOSTAT, BUT IT WAS ONLY A 90 DEGREE DAY WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR, AND WERE "UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM", SO THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO CHECK THE THERMOSTAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO WARM UP UNDER EXTREME COLD CONDITIONS (UNDER 30 DEGREE MORNINGS). AGAIN, "UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM" BECAUSE WHEN THE MECHANICS GOT TO WORK IN THE MORNING, THE TEMPERATURES WERE OVER 40 DEGREES. OTHER THAN EXTREME CONDITIONS, THE THERMOSTAT SEEMED TO WORK FINE. BUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ON A COLD MORNING, NOT ONLY DID THE VEHICLE FAIL TO WARM UP, BUT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND BRING THE CAR IN, THE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, AND AGAIN, THE SERVICE DEPT. WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT MADE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COME ON. THEY SAID IT MUST BE AN "INTERMITTENT PROBLEM". YES, IT WAS!! AND THE LIGHT CAME ON ANOTHER TIME, BUT I WAS OUT OF TOWN, SO THAT BY THE TIME I GOT BACK, AGAIN IT HAD GONE OUT. THE PROBLEM FINALLY GOT BAD ENOUGH FOR THE LIGHT TO COME ON AGAIN, AND THIS TIME I DROVE THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP W/O TURNING IT OFF, SO THEY COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY FINALLY CONFIRMED THERE WAS INDEED A PROBLEM WITH THE THERMOSTAT, LIKE I HAD TOLD THEM ALL ALONG, AND THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. WHEN I GOT HOME AND CHECKED THE INTERNET, I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE IN THIS MODEL BMW. AND BMW HAS NOT MADE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE ITEM. THIS IS A KNOWN AND FREQUENTLY RECURRING PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY FOR &/OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR EXPENSES THEY INCURRED IN FIXING THE PROBLEM, JUST LIKE THE FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY PROBLEMS FOR THIS SAME MODEL VEHICLE THAT WERE FIXED UNDER RECALLS!! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 27, 2013
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPEN, DOORS NOT ABLE TO OPEN. FUEL DOOR TRAPPED CLOSED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2013
WHILE SITTING STILL AT THE FIRST INCIDENT THE CAR STALLED FOR NO REASON. OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS THE CAR STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. YOU COULD TURN IT OFF AND RESTART AND IT WOULD BE FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND MY #3 INJECTOR NEEDS REPLACED. BMW DID RECALL THE INJECTORS FOR THE 2008 MODELS, BUT NOT MY 2007, THE COST IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND MANY OTHER 2007 OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO.HAVE A BMW EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, NOT A RECALL, BUT THEY GO BAD SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. A RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR THE 2007 INJECTORS. *TR
Equipment, Mar 16, 2013
A/C STOPPED WORKING WITH THE CAR'S ODOMETER AT 65K MILES (CAR IS 6YRS OLD). DEALER DIAGNOSED AS EVAPORATOR FAILURE WITH ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $4500. ON THE WEB, OTHERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN AT 50K MILES, WHILE OLDER GENERATIONS OF THE SAME CAR FROM THE SAME MAKER NEVER HAD SUCH ISSUE. THIS IS CLEARLY AN IMPURITY CASE AND THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS EVAPORATOR SHOULDN'T FAIL AT SUCH AGE. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2013
WHILE ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED TO SHAKE. I HAD TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER WHILE DECELERATING WHILE CARS AROUND ME WERE HONKING AND DRIVING AROUND TO PASS ME. I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN IN A COLLISION. THE "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" LIGHT AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TURNED ON. AFTER COMING TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED OFF THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT - IT DROVE FINE BUT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT STAYED ON. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE. *TR
Steering, Engine, Mar 13, 2013
UPON TRYING TO START CAR, CONTROL MESSAGE CAME ON SAID STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, ENGINE WILL NOT START. TURN WHEEL TO START ENGINE. THIS DID NOT WORK, MANY TRIES!. CAR IS NOT RUNNING. IN CHECKING THE INTERNET, FOR A SOLUTION, I FIND MANY WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME MODEL & EVEN YEAR BMW. SOMETHING SOUNDS FISHY. THERE WAS JUST A RECALL ON THE 3 SERIES FOR SOME SHORT INVOLVING FUSE BOX TO BACK OF CAR WRITTEN UP IN MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER. BMW SAID MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED. COULD THESE TWO ISSUES BE RELATED? I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR PER RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE! BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAID THE WHEEL LOCK PROBLEM IS NOT WARRANTEED NOR IS IT A RECALL ISSUE. SOUNDS LIKE TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR THIS NOT TO BE A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE FIXED BY BMW AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 9, 2013
THE MECHANISM TO UNLOCK THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY BMW 335I FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. PREVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA (ODI #: 10378269). BMW AGREED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK (THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY), BUT AT THE TIME DID NOT REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK WHICH HAS NOW FAILED TOO. BEING TRAPPED IN THE CAR DUE TO A FAILED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM IS AN INCONVENIENCE AT BEST AND A MAJOR HAZARD AT WORST. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 4, 2013, crash, fire
ON FEBRUARY 6, 2013, AT AROUND 7AM, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY NEAR PLEASANTVILLE, NY ON MY WAY TO WORK . MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL, AND I HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE FROM THE BACKSEAT. I LOOKED IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND I SAW FLAMES IN THE BACKSEAT. I PULLED OVER ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER RIGHT BEFORE THE PLEASANTVILLE EXIT. I STRUGGLED TO EXIT MY CAR BECAUSE THE SEATBELT WAS STUCK AS THE ENTIRE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH ME INSIDE. AFTER IT FINALLY RELEASED , I EXITED THE BURNING CAR IN A DAZE. A GOOD SAMARITAN STOPPED TO HELP ME, WHOSE NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE PROVIDED. SHE PUT ME IN HER CAR AND WE EACH CALLED 911. A NYS TROOPER CREATED A POLICE REPORT, WHICH CAN BE PROVIDED. AS WE WAITED FOR FIREMEN, THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BLEW UP TWICE. ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS STOPPED TO HELP ME AND WITNESSED THE CAR BLOW UP. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE CAR COMPLETELY ENGULFED AND THE ENTIRE CAR CHARRED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. I AM NOW AWARE THAT, AFTER THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE, BMW ISSUED ITS LARGEST RECALL EVER IN THE U.S. OF APPROXIMATELY 504K VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS MY CAR. THE RECALL STEMS FROM A FAULTY BATTERY CONNECTION. IMPORTANTLY, THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY CONNECTION FOR BMWS ARE IN THE TRUNK, WHICH IS WHERE I BELIEVE THE FIRE STARTED IN MY CAR. AS A RESULT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND CASE STUDIES, BMW HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS BATTERY-RELATED DEFECT ON MY CAR SINCE 2010. I'M ALSO AWARE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED OTHER BMW MODELS FOR A VERY SIMILAR BATTERY ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN CHARRING OR FIRES IN THE BMWS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY TRAVELER'S INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE INSPECTION.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2013
STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR ACTIVATED. *TR
Engine, Mar 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE COULD BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 54,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 28, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GEORGIA 400, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST TRAVELED HIGHWAY'S IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. CARS FREQUENTLY TRAVEL 20-30 MPH ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT AND IF YOU DO NOT GO AT LEAST 75 MPH, THEN YOU ARE OBSTRUCTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. MY 2007 BMW 328XI SEDAN WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 80 MPH UNTIL AN ORANGE ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT CAME ON, THEN QUICKLY TURNED RED. IMMEDIATELY THE SAFETY MECHANISM KICKED IN WHICH RESTRICTS MY SPEED AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I WAS IN THE FAST LEFT LANE AND TRIED TO PULL OVER ON THE LEFT HAND SHOULDER BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE. I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO AT LEAST PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE, BUT COULD NOT. LUCKILY THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WAS NOT IT'S USUAL BUSY NATURE AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE HONKING AS I KEPT TRYING TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER (AS CARS WERE TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS). THE ENGINE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. I LIMPED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AS IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD EXPLODE. I COULD SMELL SMOKE AS WELL. THE WATER PUMP ENDED UP QUITTING ON ME, CAUSING THE ENGINE OVERHEAT. HOWEVER, NO WARNING AT ALL AND NO INDICATION THAT ALLOWED ME TO TAKE PRE-CAUTION BEFORE I TRAVELED IN MY CAR. THIS IS SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS AND A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. YOUR ENGINE SUDDENLY QUITTING ON YOU, WITH NO WARNING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY SYSTEM? CARS IN EVERY LANE TRAVELING AT LEAST 75 MPH OR GREATER WHILE YOU ARE QUICKLY REDUCING IN SPEED TRYING TO PULL OVER? ON TOP OF THAT, THERE IS NO READING IN MY CAR FOR ENGINE TEMPERATURE. BMW NEEDS TO FIX THIS OR SOMEONE WILL DIE BECAUSE OF IT. MANY MAY GET LUCKY THEY ARE ON A SIDE ROAD OR IN A SAFE LOCATION WHEN THEIR WATER PUMP GOES OUT. HOWEVER, MANY ARE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS! THREE PEOPLE WORKED ON MY CAR THE LAST MONTH AND ALL SAY NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN YOUR WATER PUMP WILL BLOW. NO EXCUSES FOR THIS! *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 27, 2013
EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THEN GETS OUT OF THE CAR, THE SENSOR THINKS THE PERSON IS STILL SITTING IN THE SEAT AND KEEPS REMINDING ME TO PUT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, PLUS THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER 3 TO 4 DAYS, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS GO OFF. BUT LATELY, THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON FOR MONTHS. IS THE PROBLEM RELATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT? ISN'T THIS SUPPOSE TO BE A DELTA GOVERNMENT REGULATED ISSUE? ISN'T IT ALSO DANGEROUS? DOES THIS MEAN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED? WHAT IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE A PASSENGER? PLEASE HELP. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2013
STEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGED NOT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS PARKED WENT TO GET IN CAR AND START IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS ENGAGED. TURN STEERING WHEEL TO START ENGINE WAS THE MESSAGE THAT APPEARED ON SCREEN. TRIED EVERYTHING EVEN CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP TO ASK FOR HELP. TRIED EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME FOR HOURS. IT STILL WONT START. NEEDS TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND FIXED. WHERE THE CAR WASN'T MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE I HAVE READ MANY OF FORUMS AND THREADS ABOUT STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON 07 335I AND HAVING MANY PROBLEMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THANKYOU *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2013
THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER A WEEK. THIS TIME DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR. FIRST TIME THE CAR STALLED ON LOCAL STREET BUT 2ND TIME ON THE FREEWAY. HAD TO TOW TO DEALER BOTH THE TIMES. LOSING ENGINE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE FATAL ACCIDENT. AFTER A WEEK THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST MOST OF THE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NOW DRIVES AT MAX 50MPH OR SO. DEALER IS STILL TRYING TO TROUBLESHOOT THE CAR, ROOT CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALL THIS HAPPENED JUST AFTER 10 DAYS OF CAR GOING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Wheels, Feb 26, 2013
THE WHEELS WERE CHECKED DUE TO SEVERAL INSTANCES OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT 3 OF 4 RIMS HAVE CRACKS THAT ARE CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE PRESSURE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS DEFECT HAS AFFECTED MANY BMW OWNERS WITH RUN FLAT TIRES. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 23, 2013
ALL DOORS EXCEPT DRIVER DOOR ARE LOCKED AND CANNOT BE OPEN BY PASSENGER FROM INSIDE USING DOOR HANDLE; CANNOT BE OPENED USING THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH ON THE DASH BOARD; CANNOT BE OPENED USING THE KEY FOB; CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THEREFORE ALL PASSENGERS HAVE TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR. ONCE BEING LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE DRIVE HAS TO USE THE BACKUP KEY IN THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING EXITING THE CAR IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR