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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR USING THE MANUAL KEY OR THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS ALSO AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO WAS WAITING FOR THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2012
KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK DOORS. VALET KEY GETS YOU INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR, BUT THE OTHER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS, EITHER BY PULLING THE HANDLE OR BY OPERATING THE INTERIOR UNLOCK SWITCH. IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MIGHT DISABLE THE DOOR UNLOCK FUNCTION, 3 OF THE 4 COULD NOT BE OPENED FOR EXIT PURPOSES. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2012
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON FREEWAY CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF 70% OF POWER. DEALERSHIP IS ALSO SAYING THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAULTY. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH DIFFERENT INTERNET WEBSITES IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN EARLY 335I MODELS. ALMOST CRASHED BECAUSE OF IT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 12, 2012
91 YEAR OLD PERSON COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, FUSE 57 FAILED AND ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED AND ALSO DOOR HANDLES AND KEY FOB WERE INOPERATIVE. BMW SHOULD HAVE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, PEOPLE COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. WHAT A DISGRACE BMW! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2012
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK LIGHT ON MY 2007 BMW 328I COUPE COMES UP IN RED AND CAR WON'T START... INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT AFTER GETTING A JUMP START AND THE POWER FLICKERED OFF AND ON DIFFERENT FEATURES IN THE CAR THE CAR NEVER STARTED, THE KEY FOB KEPT BEING REJECTED FROM THE IGNITION BOX AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY WENT DEAD. I HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS AND LEFT IT SITTING OVER NIGHT. THE CAR WAS JUMP START AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND RADIO, LIGHTS, TRUNK, DOOR LOCKS, AND SEAT BELTS, ETC. APPEAR TO BE WORKING FINE ELECTRONICALLY BUT THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START... THE BRAKES FEEL TIGHT AND THE STEERING COLUMN IS TIGHT BUT CLICKS WHEN TURN LEFT AND RIGHT (FEELS SEMI-ENGAGED IF THAT'S POSSIBLE)... WAS WONDERING IF THE BATTERY IS JUST LOW AND DOESN'T TRIGGER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK? SHOULD WE DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND RECONNECT OR REPLACE TO SEE IF IT TRIGGERS THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK? THE ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LIGHT CAME UP YELLOW HOWEVER THE CAR STARTED IN THE PAST AFTER JUMP STARTING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND I?M FORMALLY COMPLAINING IF THIS IS THE CASE FOR I?M TRYING TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY COSTLY REPAIRS SUCH AS REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN OR REPROGRAMMING IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE IF A KNOWN FIX IS AVAILABLE OR FAULTY PRODUCT IS THE CAUSE. I ALSO FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD :-/ *TR
Steering, Sep 10, 2012
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR 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 CRANK 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, BUT I WILL HAVE TO VISIT MY LOCAL BMW REPAIR SHOP TOMORROW. I HAVE KNOWN OTHER BMW OWNER'S WHO SAYS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM MORE THAN ONCE AND I FOUND A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET FORUMS. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE BMW 328I MODELS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD ALSO LOCK IF A PERSON WAS DRIVING, ALSO. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT, HOPING THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA WILL REVEAL ANY SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 31, 2012
A COPY OF AN EMAIL TO BMW: I HAVE BEEN REASONABLY HAPPY WITH MY 2007 328I UNTIL THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS FAILED. I COULD NOT GET IN MY CAR EXCEPT WITH A KEY. I COULDN'T OPEN ANY DOOR EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S DOOR EVEN FROM THE INSIDE! IF I HAD AN EMERGENCY BOTH MY PASSENGERS AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE, I FOUND THAT MY PROBLEM WAS NOT AT ALL UNIQUE MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH FAILING ACTUATORS. WHAT TROUBLES ME IS NOT THE FAILURE OF A PART (THOUGH I DO EXPECT BETTER OF BMW), BUT THE FACT THAT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WAS POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED. MORE IMPORTANTLY, BMW HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH CORRECTIVE PARTS AND PROCEDURES SO, I AM TOLD THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, I COULD STILL FIND MYSELF TRAPPED IN MY CAR AFTER AN ACCIDENT. I EXPECTED BETTER WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BMW. I AM PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTED THAT BMW DOES NOT THINK ENOUGH OF ITS CUSTOMER'S SAFETY TO APPROPRIATELY ADDRESS AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE SO THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS MECHANICAL OVERRIDES OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PERHAPS YOU HAVE DECIDED, LIKE FORD DID 40 YEARS AGO WITH THE PINTO, THAT THE COSTS OF SETTLING A FEW WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS IS CHEAPER THAN CORRECTING A SAFETY DESIGN DEFECT. IN LIEU OF A PROACTIVE ACTION ON YOUR PART, I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR
Engine, Aug 16, 2012
I HAVE A 2007 BMW 335I COUPE WITH 30000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS REVEALED IN A NORMAL SERVICE APPOINTMENT THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THAT PARTICULAR MODELS MOTOR ( N54 ). THE TOLERANCES OF THE PULLEY WHEEL THAT SUPPORTS ALL THE CARS SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING IS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE AND CAN RUB ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE CAR CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FAIL CAUSING ALL OF THE CARS SYSTEMS TO STOP WORKING. THIS CAN BE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IF YOUR IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION TO HAVE ALL SYSTEMS FAIL. BMW RECOGNIZES THE ISSUE AND PRODUCED A SIB 11 09 08. THE LOCAL BMW SHOP GLOBAL IMPORTS AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE REFUSE TO FIX THE DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE PROBLEM IS COMPOUNDED THAT IF THE PULLEY CONTINUES TO RUB ON THE SUBFRAME IT CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE THE MOTOR TO DROP FROM THE CAR CHASIS. AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. GLOBAL IMPORTS WILL FIX THEIR KNOW ISSUE FOR CLOSE TO $4000. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MANY OF THAT MODELS OWNERS. HTTP://WWW.N54TECH.COM/FORUMS/SEARCH.PHP?SEARCHID=722576 THERE IS A WEBSITE THIS ISSUE SHOULD INVOLVE A RECALL OR REPAIR. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A KEYLESS IGNITION START AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY FAILED TO JUMP START. AFTER WAITING FORTY EIGHT HOURS THE ENGINE STARTED UPON ENGAGING THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THERE WAS NO TROUBLE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Tires, Aug 15, 2012
MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A CODE, "TPM", WHICH MEANS, TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR, WHICH IS TO DETECT TIRE PRESSURE ISSUES FROM THE "RUN FLAT TIRES" THAT ARE STANDARD ON MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY DEALER AND THEY SAID, "THE TEMPERATURE SWING TRIPPED THE WARNING LIGHT". THEY RESET THE SYSTEM AND I CONTINUED TO USE MY VEHICLE AND WITHIN 3 DAYS, THE TPM LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND I IMMEDIATELY DROVE OVER TO THE DEALER AGAIN. ON MY WAY TWO OF MY RUN FLAT TIRES LITERALLY SHREDDED AND I WAS FORCED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE NITROGEN THAT IS USED TO INFLATE THE TIRES, HAD ERODED THE INTERIOR LINING (WALLS) OF THE TIRES WHICH IS WHY THEY DID NOT DETECT THIS ISSUE 3 DAYS BEFORE. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO SPRING FOR 4 NEW TIRES, THAT HAVE 27K MILES ON THEM, I AM NOW FEARFUL OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. IF NITROGEN IS IN FACT DESTROYING THE TIRE FROM THE INSIDE OUT, THAN WHY IS THIS CHEMICAL BEING USED??? *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 14, 2012
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. I WAS LITERALLY TRAPPED INSIDE MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT. DROVE VEHICLE HOME, HAD TO PUT DOWN WINDOW AND HAVE SOMEONE USE VALET KEY AT MY HOUSE TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR. NONE OF THE OTHER THREE PASSENGER DOORS CAN BE UNLOCKED. LUCKILY NO PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. WAS TOLD THERE IS A TSB RELATED TO THIS, HOWEVER IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS CONSIDERED "SAFE" WHEN IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THEIR CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEAT, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET THEM OUT. BMW IS AWARE THAT THE ACTUATORS ARE PULLING TOO MUCH CURRENT THROUGH THE FUSES AND THAT THE ACTUATORS NEED REPLACED. THEY ARE MAKING TONS OF MONEY OFF OF CHARGING PEOPLE TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN AVOID HAVING REPAIRED UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO GAMBLE ON YOUR OWN LIFE OR THOSE OF FAMILY/FRIENDS WHO MAY BE IN YOUR VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE AS A RESULT. I FIND IT QUITE ABSURD THAT THE NHTSA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED? JUST BECAUSE I DRIVE A USED BMW DOES NOT MEAN I HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED, YET I'VE GOT TWO VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE BACKSEAT OF THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED, OBVIOUSLY IT APPEARS THAT NEITHER BMW NOR THE NHTSA SEEM TO CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY OR THAT OF ANY OF THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF BMW OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2012
ON AUG 10, 2012, I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 BMW 328I ON MONTAGUE EXPY (COUNTY HIGHWAY G4) DURING THE PEAK TRAFFIC HOUR (6:30PM). OBVIOUSLY, AT THAT TIME, THE ROAD WAS PACKED WITH TRAFFIC, AND SUDDENLY MY CAR ENGINE EXTINGUISHED AND DIED RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD TO STAY IN MY CAR FOR MY NEARLY 45 MINUTES, TOO TERRIFIED TO WALK OUT OF MY CAR AND ALSO TERRIFIED TO STAY INSIDE, WHERE I WAS EQUALLY VULNERABLE. THANKFULLY, THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD KEPT A GOOD DISTANCE AWAY AND STOPPED TOO; IF THE DRIVER WASN'T SO CAREFUL, ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE A FAR WORSE SITUATION OCCURRING, SUCH AS A PILEUP. I HAVE KEPT A VERY GOOD MAINTENANCE RECORD ON THIS BMW 328I AND ALSO PURCHASED THE EXTENSION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM BACK WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AND THEREFORE, THIS MALFUNCTION ISSUE WAS MOST DEFINITELY NOT CAUSED BY OWNER IGNORANCE OR LACK OF CARE. AND YET, DESPITE HAVING TAKEN GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, I ALREADY HAD TO HAVE A MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR ON THE BMW WITHIN ITS FIRST TWO YEARS. AND JUST HALF A YEAR AGO, I HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER MAJOR STARTER REPAIR AS WELL - I COULDN'T EVEN START UP THE CAR ENGINE. AND NOW THERE'S THIS - A CAR STALL FROM A DEFECT WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I FIND THIS RECENT INCIDENT THE MOST AGGRAVATING AND DANGEROUS OF THEM ALL; I HONESTLY COULD HAVE DIED. THUS I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO ALERT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN PARTICULAR WITH THE BMW 328I. HOPEFULLY ONCE THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED AND BMW IS NOTIFIED, WE CAN SEE IF OTHER BMW 328I OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS WELL, AND ULTIMATELY PREVENT BMW OWNERS FROM EXPERIENCING AN INCIDENT AS DANGEROUS AS MINE IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2012
A BLOWN FUSE CAUSED THE DOOR UNLOCKING MECHANISM TO FAIL, TRAPPING OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR. THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED BY ANY MEANS, AS THE FAILURE ALSO DISABLED THE NORMAL MECHANISM BY WHICH PULLING ON AN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RELEASED THE ASSOCIATED LOCK. THE SOLE EXCEPTION IS THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR COULD BE OPENED BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW, AND REACHING OUT AWKWARDLY THROUGH THE WINDOW TO THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WITH THE MECHANICAL AUXILIARY KEY. HOWEVER, THE ONLY EXIT AVAILABLE TO BACKSEAT PASSENGERS WAS THROUGH THE WINDOWS, ASSUMING THE PASSENGERS WERE SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT THROUGH THEM. NEITHER OF THESE MODES OF EGRESS WOULD BE SATISFACTORY IF EXIT NEEDED TO BE QUICK. FORTUNATELY, THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY WHILE THE CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR FIRE THAT REQUIRED RAPID EVACUATION OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THIS WOULD BE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IDEALLY, THE LOCKS SHOULD BE MECHANICALLY LINKED TO THE DOOR HANDLES SO THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WOULD NOT RENDER IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. ABSENT THAT, AT LEAST HAVING INDIVIDUAL FUSES FOR EACH LOCK ACTUATOR WOULD LEAVE THREE FUNCTIONING DOORS IF ONE FAILED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 15, 2012
THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 80MPH. THE CAR WAS LATER DIAGNOSED FOR FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2012
VEHICLE DISPLAYS MODERATE OVERHEAT WARNING AND WITHIN MINUTES DISPLAYS HIGH TEMPERATURE OVERHEAT WARNING AND GOES INTO FAILSAFE MODE WHICH MAKE THE CAR COME TO A HALT. THIS COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN A BUSY HIGHWAY. PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS FAILED WATER PUMP. *TR
Steering, Engine, Jul 9, 2012
VEHICLE WILL NOT START, REPLACED BATTERY AND ICON DISPLAYING ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK (ELV) SHOWS IN THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WILL NOT START AS STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE RELEASED DEALER SAYS THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, DEALER SAID THE SEE ABOUT 3 CARS A WEEK WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jul 7, 2012
FIRST OCCURRENCE OF PROBLEM HAPPENED BACK IN MAY 2012. ME AND MY FIANCEE WERE EXITING THE VEHICLE BUT ONLY MY DRIVER DOOR WOULD OPEN. MY FIANCEE WAS FORCED TO CLIMB OVER THE MIDDLE CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE AND EXIT THROUGH MY DOOR, WITH A SHORT DRESS ON. I LATER LOOKED ONLINE ON A BMW FORUM TO FIND THE CULPRIT TO BE THE LOCK ACTUATORS BLOWING FUSE 56. I REPLACED FUSE 56 WITH THE APPROPRIATE FUSE, INCREASING THE 15 AMP TO A 20 AMP AT THAT TIME. ON 30 JUNE 2012 I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE ON VACATION IN OGUNQUIT, ME. ONCE AGAIN MY PASSENGERS WERE ALL LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE FOR THE 335I'S DOORS ONCE THE FUSE BLOWS. ALL THREE PASSENGERS WERE FORCED TO CLIMB THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, CREATING A DANGEROUS AND UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION. THIS TIME I REPLACED FUSE 57 AND IT SEEMED TO WORK JUST FINE AFTERWARDS. LASTLY, IT HAPPENED TWO DAYS AGO WITH JUST ME IN THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP (IN RHODE ISLAND) AND THEY TOLD ME ALL DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WERE DEFECTIVE/FAULTY. THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE EVERY SINGLE DOOR ACTUATOR ON THE CAR, TOTALING A COST OF $1600. I CALLED BMW OF NA AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME, DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS OF A BLOWN FUSE IN THIS VEHICLE. I DESPAIR WHEN I THINK OF THE PROBLEMS THIS COULD CAUSE DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE ABSENCE OF A MANUAL OVERRIDE WOULD CAUSE PASSENGERS TO BREAK OPEN WINDOWS IN ORDER TO ESCAPE DURING AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. *TR
Steering, Jul 3, 2012
DASHBOARD DISPLAYS "ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK" ALERT. NO OTHER OUTWARD SYMPTOMS. CAR IS DRIVABLE. DEALER SAYS WHEEL COULD LOCK UP AT ANY TIME AND SAYS A STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT ($1400) IS REQUIRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY PERVASIVE PROBLEM ON MANY BMW MODELS. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SO BAD THAT BMW REPLACES THE STEERING COLUMN WITH ONE WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM WITH THE PART. MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO AN INHERENT AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. BMW SHOULD MAKE THIS REPAIR AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. *JS
Engine, Jul 2, 2012, fire
I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALER AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP. I DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. 4 HOURS LATER MY NEIGHBOR ALERTED ME TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. *JS
Engine, Jun 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Jun 27, 2012
RED INDICATOR FOR ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. CAR FAILED TO START UNLESS MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK COLUMN BY INSERTING AND REMOVING KEY. DEALER SAYS THE COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND THE CAR REPROGRAMMED TO "ACCEPT" THE NEW COLUMN. THE CAR IS COVERED UNDER A CPO WARRANTY, SO THE PARTS WILL BE COVERED, BUT THE "REPROGRAMMING" IS NOT. AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR "BMW ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION" RETURNS MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE FAILURE MODE. IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE TIMES PER VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP US! BMW IS IGNORING THE ISSUE OR KICKING-THE-CAN DOWN THE ROAD UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 27, 2012
THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK WITH THE FOB. I WAS LOCKED IN SIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN I FINALLY GOT OUT AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM OUTSIDE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS. I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR DURING A HEAVY RAIN FALL ON THE ROAD LAST YEAR DUE TO THE DOORS NOT UNLOCKING. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2012
THE KEY FOB DID NOT UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS NOR DID THE CENTRAL CONTROL BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR UNLOCK THE DOORS. ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR COULD OPEN FROM INSIDE THE CAR. NO OTHER DOOR COULD BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WITH THIS MALFUNCTION. FOUND OUT A FUSE WENT BAD CREATING THE PROBLEM. *JB
Engine, Jun 22, 2012
THE WASTEGATE VALUE ARMS ARE LOOSE AND THEY RATTLE. THEY MAY COME LOOSE AND NOT WORK. WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE NOT WORKING. IT GET WORSE THE LONGER YOU DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON YOUTUBE THAT ALL 2007 335I'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I JUST FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL. *TT
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2012, fire
I DROVE MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES THEN GOT HOME AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. 10 MINUTES LATER I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND MY CAR IS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT. STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT AND THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR