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.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, May 18, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the passenger restraint system message had appeared on the instrument panel indicating an air bag failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, May 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving and parked the vehicle at his residence. However, the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, May 6, 2022
The contact's son owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact's son received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat and he saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact' son pulled into a parking lot where he parked the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine, Apr 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated while slowing down for traffic signals or signs, the vehicle started to idle roughly. After coming to a complete stop, the vehicle would then lose motive power and stall without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure would soon recur. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2022
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2022, fire
The contact owned a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that upon pulling into the driveway, he saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire started inside the hood and extended to the rest of the vehicle. The contact stated that there were explosions of fire with objects flying all over the place. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There was no police report filed. The contact stated that he sustained minor injuries but did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was totaled. The contact later received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine And Engine Cooling), which he associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine started smoking and overheating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering failed to operate as needed; however, the contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to several local mechanics and BMW specialists. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle has remained with the dealer for 3 years. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 24, 2022, fire
I bought a 2007 BMW 335i convertible on March 10th 2022. On March 18th I left my house and as I was pulling out of my neighborhood the vehicle cut off at about 25 miles an hour and as I pulled over I noticed black smoke coming out from under the hood. There were no warning lights on with the exception of a random airbag light that came on the day after I bought the car and a tire pressure monitor light. My wife and I pulled over and I ran to a nearby house and took a case of Dasani water from painters who were working (with their permission). I got the fire put out within minutes of its starting but the wiring harness is completely melted together along with all of the induction piping to the turbos and the intake manifold and fuel line. I told the car home and had my insurance agent look at it. She said because it was a fire it would be a mechanical issue and needed to go to the BMW dealership. I paid to have it towed there that day. The dealer called me about an hour after the car showed up there and said that they would not service or inspect the vehicle for damage because I have the wrong insurance company. I was forced to tow the car back home after being turned away by several other dealerships and collision centers due to the high volume of mechanical work already on their lots. BMW has open recalls on 3 series vehicles because they can have engine fires. My car for some reason is not one of the ones they cover under that recall. Still have no resolution from my insurance company on what to do because the car hasn't been officially inspected by a BMW technician. I've now towed the car three times and I'm exactly where I was at the beginning of this claim.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 29, 2021
Possible Class Action Law Suit knowingly neglect, mislead, purposely avoiding known recall & obvious risks of possible LIFE / PROPERTY LOST 08/2012, NYS Bear Mt Parks Camp ground Unknown reason Low battery resulted locked steering, stranded tow $450 /park+$450 tow truck to Shop E141st Bronx Friend a Westchester BMW dealer mechanic 1988~2019 (Will testify): official instruction to replace Steering column $2000-3000 job, replaced on the street, can't start w dealer computer+ $300 towed to Bronx BMW specialist & reset/ started for $450 2012 not much info online As my VIN isn’t on the recall list, I was not aware of the other identical recalled issue til it happened again in 2015(?2016, can confirm w the NY Westchester BMW dealer parts receipt) Paid another $2000+ much nightmare only to realized the issue can easily be reset by any mechanic computer then restarted. BMW dealer still maintain its instruction to their dealer mechanic to replace knowingly HIDING the fact that it should have been recalled & avoided 2016 (have receipt) At 70k Miles Transmission rebuilt, specialist said broken fragments of gears resulting in irreparable damages 2017 Corroded Fuse box nr passenger side replaced $680 2019 After stopping, car barely cranks over & white smoke observed under hood in front of passenger waited 30 minute to start Days later car won’t start, the wire leading to fuse burnt off, lost all power $300 tow home +$350 replace wire $4580 since 2020 low battery all year, car sluggish due to sudden lost of power. 2021 Engine shaking violently, drives shaky & unstable jerks, pulled over Towed $280 steering lock symbol shown Car on driveway realized my VIN was not included in this 2013 recall of 570,000 cars for the same defect numerous reported URGENT life/ Property threats to highway safety for years: sudden lost of power (No hazard light) on LEFT Lane of Highways Entire car engulfed in flames in minutes w toddlers inside car barely escaping Air bags popping while in motion..
Air bags, Dec 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag sensor warning light illuminated, whether a passenger was seated in the seat or not. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated even without a passenger seated in the seat. The contact was unable to reach the local dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.
Air bags, Sep 30, 2021
I have been trying since 2016 to get Vista BMW in Broward County Florida to replace or remove the DEFECTICE AND DANGEROUS Takata airbags in my car, and I have the paperwork to prove that this was never done. Reeves BMW in Tampa, Florida, said that Vista BMW falsely reported that the airbags were replaced with non-Takata bags and refused to install the correct ones with desiccant. I have proof that shows that the airbags were never available at that time and the Vista BMW service manager himself told me that all he could do was replace it with another defective stock airbag until the replacements were available. After waiting two years without hearing from Vista or any BMW representative, and eventually moving to Tampa in 2018, I went to the BMW dealer here, Reeves, who stated that Vista had falsely reported that the "interim" airbag had been replaced and they refused to install the replacements. So now I keep the car unused in the garage, too scared to drive this bomb that can blow up at any time, and I cannot afford to junk a car that took me five years to pay off. Why has NHTSA not prosecuted BMW and not enforce this? How can I get BMW to replace the airbags with the correct ones with dessicant? PLEASE HELP, AT WITS END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Air bags, Sep 28, 2021
I have been trying since 2016 to get Vista BMW in Broward County Florida to replace or remove the Takata airbags in my car, and I have the paperwork to prove that this was never done. Reeves BMW in Tampa, Florida, said that Vista BMW falsely reported that the airbags were replaced with non-Takata bags and refused to install the correct ones with desiccant. I have proof that shows that the airbags were never available at that time and the Vista BMW service manager himself told me that all he could do was replace it with another defective airbag until the replacements were available. After waiting two years without hearing from Vista or any BMW representative, and eventually moving to Tampa in 2018, I went to the BMW dealer here, Reeves, who stated that Vista had falsely reported that the "interim" airbag had been replaced and they refused to install the replacements. As I am the only driver and owner of the car, I know that no one else could have taken the car from my garage in the dead of night and replaced any airbag and returned the car without my knowledge. So now I keep the car unused in the garage, too scared to drive this bomb that can blow up at any time, and I cannot afford to junk a car that took me five years to pay off. BMW either owes me a replacement SAFE airbag or a replacement car that has a safe airbag in it. I will gladly join any legal action to expose these criminals and hope you can do something for me before I die. The documents attached clearly show that the airbag was never replaced with a proper desiccant or drying agent.
Suspension, Exterior lighting, Structure, Aug 11, 2021, crash
I was driving just my 3rd day of having my car and i come outside and its wrecked someone hit the driver side front panel and bumper
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2021
My car is experiencing electrical failures explained in this recall: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 13V044000 There is a complete loss of power to the vehicle, I need to manually open the trunk, wiggle the positive terminal of the battery to get the power back. This seems to be known issue as identified in the NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 13V044000 When reported to the dealer, they declined to fix the issue as part of recall for the reason my VIN number does not show up in the system for this specific electrical issue. The only way the dealer would address is through charging me for diagnostics and fixing.This seems to be a widespread issue with the model year of the car I own, I expect BMW to fix this as part of the existing recall campaign.
Steering, Aug 8, 2021
DASHBOARD INDICATES, "ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK ENGAGED". CAR IS CURRENTLY DRIVABLE, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF BMW, AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN UNTIL THE CAR WILL NO LONGER TURN ON. THE MALFUNCTIONING FEATURE (STEERING WHEEL LOCK) HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SUBSEQUENT MODELS, INDICATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZES THE MALFUNCTION. REPAIR INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1300.
Air bags, Jul 12, 2021
Air bag light malfunction passenger side
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 1, 2021
Bmw of Murietta will not honor the recalls
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 15, 2021
Earlier this year in February I have replaced the alternator and some other major part right after purchasing from dealership and i have seen all the other recent recalls for the vehicle also it appears to have recalls that have not been worked on by manufacture . there also were no signs that came on also the wheel tightened up and stopped on me out of no where while driving. this being the second time this has happened as on new years i was on the freeway on my way home and the car did the same when i first replaced the alternator
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 26, 2021
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND ALL SUDDEN THE CAR STALL AND SHUTS DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO MAN HANDLE THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT BEING SAID AN 18 WHEELER HAD TO PULL A MAGIC TRICK TO NOT SMASH ME AND MY 3 KIDS!!! I'M HIGHLY BOTHERED BY THIS. IV SEEN REVIEWS OF THE HPFP GOING BAD WHY HAS BMW NOT FIXED THE ISSUE YET???????😡😡😡
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2021
LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE USE CENTRAL SYSTEM, REMOTE SYSTEM NOR THE MANUAL PULL HANDLE INSIDE NOR THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. STATIONARY, HAVE REPLACED FUSES AND MANUALLY ENGAGED THE ACTUATOR. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IF A CHILD OR ELDERLY ADULT IN CARE DURING A WRECK, FIRE ETC.
Engine, Apr 14, 2021
CRANKSHAFT SENSOR STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON HIGHWAY SPEED, COMMON ISSUE WITH THE BMW 3 SERIES
Engine, Apr 14, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STATIONARY AT A DRIVE THRU, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE RED OVERHEATING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT TO THE PARKING LOT WITH A BYSTANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ADDED COOLANT FLUID AND AFTER 2 HOURS HE WAS ABLE RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AN HOUR LATER. ADDITIONALLY, THE BATTERY ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK WHILE OPENING THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 373-5000) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WERE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL LEAKING COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,580.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2021
SO I GOT A PAPER SAYING I HAD A RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS SO I CALLED AND GOT MY CAR TAKIN TO BMW IN BELLEVUE. BMW'S ROAD SIDE ASSISTANTS GAVE THE WRONG ADDRESS TO THE TOW COMPANY AND WOULD NOT ANSWER THE PHONE TOW FOR THEM> I EVEN ATTEMPTED TO CALL AND WAS PLACED ON HOLD FOR APPROXIMATYELY 40 MINUTES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY I SPOKE WITH THE TOW COMPANYS DISPATCHER WHO WAS SO FRUSTRATED HE STARTED ACCUSING ME OF PLAYING GAMES AND THREATENED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE DROPPED AT THE WRONG DEALERSHIP THEN EXTORTED ME FOR ANOTHER 80 DOLLARS JUST TO DROP MY CAR OFF HIS TRUCK AND LEAVE IT AT MY HOUSE. HOURS LATER AFTER FINALLY GETTING A HOD OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THE EXACT SAME COMPANY RETURNED AND DELIVERED MY VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT LOCATION. AFTER ALL OF THIS WE ARE BEING JERKED AROUND BY BELLEVUE BMW ON THE RECALLS THEY ASKED ME FOR 3 HOURS OF LABOR AND PROMISED US TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY A WEEK THEY SAID MY DME IS BAD AN IT WOULD COST 8000.00 TO FIX IT AND SAID IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING BECAUSE IT WAS OLD NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL UNTIL I FINALLY BROUGHT IT UP THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH BMW IN BELLEVUE WHICH WAS MONDAY THE15TH OF MARCH 2021. I WAS TOLD THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPAIRED NOT REPLACED AND THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS REPLACED. THEN SAID MY BILL WAS OVER 600.00 > AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH THRU THENHTSA WEBSITE I FOUND OUT MY RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED AND I TOOK PHOTOS WITH THE DATES AND TIME SHOWING MY RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED WHICH I FEEL UPSET AND VERY WORRIED AND CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY NOW I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HEAR BECAUSE MY FAMILY AND I ARE BEING PLACED INTO A HARDSHIP AND TO MAKE IT WORSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC PLEASE HELP US. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING WAS DONE TO THE CAR I THINK WE NEED TO TALK TO AN ATTORNEY
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2021
CENTRAL LOCKING ISSUE. THE DOORS NEITHER LOCK NOR UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB, AND THE CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR DOES NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE DOUBLE PULL METHOD ALSO DOES NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE 4 OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND GET T-BONED, FLIP THE CAR AND IT CATCHES FIRE, AND NOW ALL OF US HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE PASSENGER DOOR. NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE !