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 system, Gasoline, Apr 30, 2010
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN 2007 BMW E90 (SEDAN) 335I. DRIVABILITY ISSUES DUE TO VERY ROUGH ENGINE IDLE AND TROUBLE GETTING CAR RESTARTED. *TR
Tires, Apr 25, 2010
BRIDGESTONE TURANZA TIRES 225/45R17 DOT 4906 - VERY NOISY TIRES AT 9, 131 MILES. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 14, 2010
REPEATED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE IN 2007 BMW 3281. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BOTH REAR DOORS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOORS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Apr 4, 2010
FIRST TIME ABOUT FOUR MONTH AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND LOST ABOUT 50% POWER. NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW DEALER AND THE CIL WAS GONE. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. TODAY WHEN I DROVE ON HIGHT WAY AT ABOUT 65 M/H, CIL ON AGAIN AND THE CAR LOSS POWER, I THINK THERE IS A SAFTY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 31, 2010
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR DID NOT STOP OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BUT READING ARTICLES ABOUT OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS WHERE CAR STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SCARES ME TO DEATH.
Tires, Wheels, Mar 17, 2010
RUNFLAT TIRES ON BMW 328XI ARE NOT SUITED TO AMERICAN ROADS. HIT A POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE RUNFLAT TIRES. WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND TIRE WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. RUNFLAT TIRES SEEM LESS RESILIENT THAN STANDARD TIRES, AND RESULT IN GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF WHEEL DAMAGE. TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT, BUT WHEEL AND TIRE NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR
Tires, Mar 13, 2010
MY CAR FAILED A VEHICLE INSPECTION TODAY FOR "SAFETY REASONS" BECAUSE I'M TOLD THE 2 FRONT TIRES ARE WORN OUT. I HAVE A 2007 BMW 328XI THAT CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL 42 RUN FLAT TIRES. AFTER 8114 MILES IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINS WITH THE HANDLING, AND NOISE, THE TIRES WERE FOUND TO BE SCALLOPED AND ALL 4 WERE REPLACED (WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL) FREE OF CHARGE IN 2007. AT 22K MILES (14K ON NEW TIRES) THE NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE AND AT 28,555 (20K ON TIRES) I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE TIRES FOR CLOSE TO $1000 (SINCE THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD ONLY REPLACE TIRES ONCE) WITH ADVISE TO SHOP FOR A BETTER PRICE. GIVEN THAT MY STATE INSPECTION GUIDELINES CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I'M ASKED TO CHANGE TIRES TWICE UNDER 29K MILES, I WOULD HAVE HOPED BMW OR BRIDGESTONE WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. BUT I'M REQUESTING THE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO IT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 11, 2010
PURCHASED A USED 2007 BMW 335I. WITHIN 2 WEEKS CAR WOULD SHAKE AND WOULD LOSE POWER AT HIGHER RPM. ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, BUT NOT BE PRESENT ON RESTART. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. DEALER BLAMED IT ON FUEL QUALITY HOWEVER I FOLLOWED MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDED OCTANE RATINGS. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON THIS MODEL TURBO ENGINE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 26, 2010, fire
BMW 335XI VEHICLE FIRE TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCE THEN PARKED. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE WAS DISCOVERED ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS IN THE BMW DEALER WITH ENGINE CODE LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE UNTIL SOFTWARE UPDATES WERE AVAILABLE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 19, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF AND DOOR OPEN WARNING SHOWED UP. IT HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE ON MY CAR SO FAR BUT A FEW OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR BMW CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE STANDARD RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS "UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM" AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2010
FIRST NOTICED A BURNING SMELL -- THOUGHT IT MAY BE PLASTIC OR RUBBER. PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY NEAR TAMPA TO A LOCAL GAS STATION. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED NOTHING. THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE SPACE WHERE THE REAR WINDOW ROLLS UP, ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. SMELLED LIKE BURNING RUBBER OR PLASTIC. CALLED BMW ASSIST, WAS TOLD TO GET A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, CALLED TO BMW TO TALK WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN -- DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO THE TECHNICIAN AND ASKED IF I COULD DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATED THAT GIVEN THE SMOKE, WOULD ADVISE AGAINST DRIVING THE CAR. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND INSPECTED BY DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE "DASH REFLECTED MESSAGE OF PINCH PROTECTION MALFUNCTION. JBE MODULE CAUSED FAILURE OF BOTH REAR WINDOW MOTORS, INTERROGATE FAULT MEMORY. FOUND FAULTS IN JBE, A6D9, A6DA, A6D8, A6DB. COMPLETED TEST PLAN FOR THESE FAULTS. PER TEST PLAN REPLACE JBE. SWAPPED IN JBE FROM KNOWN GOOD VEHICLE." ESSENTIALLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE EXISTING SOFTWARE IN THE CAR WITH THE SOFTWARE FROM A CAR KNOWN TO HAVE GOOD SOFTWARE. DEALER FOUND BOTH WINDOW MOTORS "BURNED" AND REPLACED BOTH WINDOW ROLL-UP MOTORS. DEALER COMPLETED VEHICLE PROGRAMMING INCLUDING "CAS". COMPLETE CAR ENCODING. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Feb 3, 2010
THIS IS A SECOND COMPLAINT OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY IN APRIL 2008. THE ODI ID NUMBER IS: 10227507. ON THE EVENING OF JAN. 2ND, 2010, THE REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AS I WAS MAKING AN APPROACH TO THE ONRAMP ONTO THE FREEWAY. THE CAR SHUDDERED, RATTLED, AND LOSS POWER AND EVENTUALLY DIED. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO A STORAGE OVERNIGHT AND WAITED UNTIL JAN. 4TH, A MONDAY, TO TOW THE CAR AGAIN TO A NEARBY BMW SERVICE CENTER. THEY EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH IS A 3RD FUEL PUMP, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING THAT I WAS STRANDED 140 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, AND HAD NO TRANSPORTATION FOR 48 HOURS UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED THEREAFTER. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 2, 2010
MY VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WHERE APPARENTLY A FUSE BLOWS AND THE DOOR LOCKS CAN NOT BE ACTIVATED BY THE FOB, INTERIOR HANDLES (EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR), OR THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKING SWITCH. [PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ACTIVATED ON THE REAR DOORS.] THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR IS THROUGH THE VALET KEY. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME TWICE AND IS NOW APPARENTLY A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH BMW. I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS A DESIGN HAZARD IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WERE TO FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT, THEN THIS BECOMES AN EXTREME HAZARD IF FIRE OR ANY OTHER ISSUE WERE INVOLVED. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS REQUIRED AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF UNLOCKING THE DOORS OTHER THAN ELECTRICALLY (HENCE THE DOOR PULL KNOBS WHICH IN MY CAR ARE EVEN WITH THE TRIM AND UNABLE TO GRASP). *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 1, 2010
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN MY BMW 335I. THE CONSEQUENCES, WHILE WELL DOCUMENTED, FOR ME LACK OF ACCELERATION AND UNABLE TO GO PAST 45MPH. THIS OCCURRED ON A MAJOR FREEWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 60MPH ACROSS THE LAKE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. THE PART REPLACED WAS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BY BMW. WHAT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE? SIMPLY ACCELERATING TO FREEWAY SPEEDS CAUSED THE ONBOARD COMPUTER TO NOTIFY ME THERE WAS AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION. IT THEN REDUCED MY SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 2, 2010
DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. ALL 4 DOORS ON MY 2007 BMW 335I WON'T OPEN USING THE KEY REMOTE NOR THE CENTRAL LOCK SYSTEM. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE 4 DOORS. MY FAMILY HAD TO CLIMB OUT FROM THE WINDOW. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM DIFFERENT FORUMS. HOW DO YOU EXPECT A PASSENGER TO GET OUT THE CAR DURING EMERGENCY SITUATION? ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS A HANDICAP. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN ALL DOORS IT CAN BE A LIFE THREATENING. PLANNING TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 27, 2009
CONSTANT FAILURE IN MY 2007 BMW 335I SEDAN. RANDOM LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD. LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP THE PATH OF DRIVING VERY WELL. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN AT LEAST 6-7 TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I WOULD HOPE BMW WOULD RECALL SUCH A DEFECT. PER BMW RECOMMENDATION I HAD THE ENGINE DECARBONIZED AS THEY SAID THIS WOULD MAKE THE VEHICLE RUN TO SPEC. THE FUEL PUMP WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AS IT WAS FAULTY AND A NEW SPARK PLUG PUT IN PLACE. THE CAR NOW RUNS ROUGH AND THE ENGINE IS LOUD. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT TO BMW THEY SAY ITS RUNNING FINE. I WILL BRING MY VEHICLE IN ONCE AGAIN TOMORROW TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT. *TR
Service brakes, Air, Dec 15, 2009
ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 50,000 MILES SO I BEGAN TAKING MY VEHICLE TO A LICENSED MECHANIC TO DO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHILE DRIVING OVER TO THE MECHANIC FOR A BRAKE CHANGE I WENT TO STOP AND LOST USAGE OF MY BRAKE. THIS RESULTED IN ME MERELY REARENDING THE BACK END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY MECHANIC REPLACED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS; AND THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM. SO HE BEGAN TO LOOK OVER MY CAR AND FOUND THAT THE VACUUM BOOST PUMP FOR MY BAKES WAS POSSIBLY BAD. ONCE OPENED IN THAT AREA HE FOUND THAT THE BOLT HOLDING THE SPROCKET WAS BROKEN. PART OF THE BOLT WAS REMAINING AND THE REST IS STILL MISSING SOMEWHERE IN MY ENGINE. TOWED MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT DRIVABLE TO BMW OF RIVERSIDE TO HAVE THEM LOOK IT OVER AND FIX THE FAULTY BOLT. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WANTS SERVICED THERE FOR ONE YEAR DUE TO THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO FILE A CLAIM TO INVESTIGATE IT UNDER A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE BMW OF RIVERSIDE SAID IT WAS A MECHANICAL ISSUE, BUT IT IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE. SUSAN MONJELLI FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FILED MY CLAIM AND HAD A ENGINEER LOOK A MY VEHICLE AGAIN. SHE IS CLAIMING BECAUSE I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC OTHER THAN BMW THAT MY MECHANIC MUST HAVE BROKEN THE BOLT AND THAT IT ISN'T BECAUSE IT WAS FAULTY. MY MECHANIC HAS NEVER TOUCHED THIS ITEM. HE STATES THAT THE SPROCKETS AND THE CHAIN ARE LODGED AND THE ONLY WAY THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED IS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, NOT BUY HIM WORKING ON IT IN ANY WAY. ALSO THERE IS A WEBSITE SAYING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART IN OLD AND NEW BMW VEHICLES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 8, 2009
NOTICED A LONG CRANK (ABOUT 5 SECONDS LONG) WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE (2007 BMW 335I SEDAN) IN THE MORNING. THE VEHICLE DID START THOUGH. I WAS COMING HOME FROM BREAKFAST WHEN THE "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" LIGHT CAME ON AND DRAMATICALLY REDUCED POWER. AT THE TIME I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A SIGNALED INTERSECTION. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE TURN AND COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY DRIVERS TURNING LEFT BEHIND ME. AFTER A SECOND OR TWO, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE, BUT IN A REDUCED POWER STATE. LATER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THIS WAS THE SECOND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT ON THIS VEHICLE WITHIN A 6 MONTH OR ABOUT A 8000 MILE SPAN. IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY OR OTHER HIGH SPEED ROAD, AND THIS REDUCED POWER STATE APPEARED DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP - I WOULD POSE A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD, AND PUT MY SAFETY IN JEOPARDY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 2009
MY AMERICAN SPECS BMW 3.35XI LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE ON THE AUTOBAHN (A6) NEAR BAD DURKHEIM, GERMANY WHILE TRAVELING AT 100 MPH UP A HILL PASSING A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT (BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A CAR TRAVELING AT ESTIMATED 130 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE. I AM A MILITARY OFFICER STATIONED OVERSEAS AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT THAT NEARLY KILLED ME. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Nov 16, 2009
I DISCOVERED FEW WEEKS AGO THAT THE CAR I LEASE SINCE 2008 DOES NOT HAVE A SPARE TIRE. WHEN I INQUIRE THE REASON WHY, THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR USES ESPECIAL TIRES CALLED RUN FLAT WHICH IN THE EVENT OF A TIRE PROBLEM WOULD ALLOW ME TO GO TO THE NEXT TIRE SHOP. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ARGUMENT. FIRST, THE RATIONALE FOR ELIMINATING A SPARE TIRE IS FLAWED AND UNSAFE: A SPARE PROVIDES DRIVERS WITH AN EXTRA WHEEL ' INCLUDING BOTH TIRE AND RIM, IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH EITHER COMPONENT. ELIMINATING THE SPARE BECAUSE A CAR HAS RFTS (RUN FLAT TIRES) FAILS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THE WHEELS OF THE CAR CAN ALSO SUFFER DAMAGE TO THE POINT OF IMMOBILIZING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY HAZARD THAT WOULD BE EASILY SOLVED WITH A SPARE TIRE. SECOND, AFTER RESEARCHING ABOUT RFTS I FOUND OUT THAT MOST TIRE SHOPS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA WHERE I LIVE DON'T CARRY THESE TIRES (ONE NEEDS TO PRE-ORDER THEM) AND CANNOT EVEN REPAIR THEM. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD BE THE AVAILABILITY OUTSIDE METROPOLITAN AREAS. THIRD, THESE TIRES ARE TWICE OR THREE TIMES AS EXPENSIVE AS A REGULAR TIRE ' THE CHEAPEST RFT FOR MY CAR ARE $200 PER TIRE; AND ACCORDING TO TIRE SHOP EMPLOYEES THEY TYPICALLY LAST HALF THE MILEAGE OF A REGULAR TIRE. FOURTH, AND PERHAPS THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE, WHEN I WAS BUYING THE CAR NOBODY AT THE DEALERSHIP DISCLOSED THE TYPE OF TIRES THE CAR HAD OR THE LACK OF SPARE TIRE. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS INFORMATION I SIMPLY WOULD NOT HAVE LEASED THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY SUGGEST THEIR DEALERS DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION, THEY CANNOT MONITOR NOR CAN THEY DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THE DEALERS COMPLY. I THINK BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALERS ARE TO BLAME FOR PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK BY ELIMINATING THE SPARE TIRE, AND FOR NOT BEING FORTHCOMING AND EXPLICIT ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAY AFFECT THE PURCHASE DECISION. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 16, 2009
EARLIER THIS YEAR I WENT ON A WEEKEND TRIP WITH MY FAMILY: MY WIFE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, ON THE REAR SEAT MY SISTER AND MY TWO AND A HALF YEAR OLD NIECE ON HER CAR SEAT. WHEN WE ARRIVED TO OUR DESTINATION NONE OF THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD OPEN; THEY WERE COMPLETELY SHUT AND THEY WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE INTERNAL CONTROLS, THE REMOTE OR IN ANY OTHER WAY. ONLY THE DRIVERS' DOOR, WHICH IS ALSO THE ONLY DOOR THAT HAS A KEY HOLE, WOULD OPEN. ALL OTHER DOORS ARE KEY-LESS AND REMAINED LOCKED. MY FAMILY HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOWS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT WITH MY LITTLE NIECE IN THE BACK SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM'S CAUSE WAS A BLOWN FUSE. FORTUNATELY WE DID NOT HAVE AN EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRE A QUICK EXIT OF OR ENTRY INTO THE CAR. BUT MY FAMILY AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS DESIGN REPRESENT. IN THE EVENT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN A RUSH WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT. MY WIFE IS NOW PREGNANT I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW SAFE THIS VEHICLE REALLY IS. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER ARGUE THAT THIS IS A SIMPLE MALFUNCTION AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY DISMISSING THE CASE; I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR MANUAL LOCK/UNLOCK OF THE DOORS EVEN IF THE FUSE BLOWS - AT LEAST FROM THE INSIDE. GOOD SAFETY ENGINEERING POLICIES SHOULD STATE THAT IN THE EVENT OF A FUSE BLOW NO SYSTEM SHOULD GET PASSENGERS LOCKED INSIDE THEIR CARS; THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. FAILURE TO FIX THIS REPRESENTS A PASSENGER'S CASUALTY WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HOPE YOU SEE IT THIS WAY TOO. *TR
Power train, Nov 9, 2009
2007 BMW 328I COUPE, 6-SPEED MANUAL FAILS TO GO INTO 1ST OCCASIONALLY. I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES AND IT STILL SOMETIMES WILL NOT ENGAGE 1ST GEAR WITH THE CLUTCH PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE ISSUE HAS CAUSED ME TO BE STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION TWICE AND IN REVERSE ONCE BY ACCIDENT DUE TO THE PANIC OF NOT ENGAGING 1 ST GEAR. THIS WAS ESCALATED TO THE REGIONAL SERVICE ADVISOR FOR THE SOUTHEAST AND HE STATE THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO DO THIS??? THE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE WEB ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT IS DANGEROUS! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Nov 5, 2009, fire
BMW 335XI FIRE BURNED CAR TOTAL LOSS AFTER DRIVING 1/4 MILE. VEHICLE WAS AT BMW DAYS EARLIER WITH A COMPLAINT OF ROUGH IDLE/REDUCED POWER. TOLD ENGINE FAULTS WOULD BE HANDLED BY SOFTWARE UPDATE. FIRE BURNED TWO CARS WITH A SMALL EXPLOSION AND 15 FOOT FLAMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 31, 2009, crash
WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A SHARP U TURN ON A HILLSIDE STREET, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND STOPPED WITH ITS BELLY STUCK ON THE CURB AND THE REAR WHEELS IN THE AIR AFTER HITTING THE GUARD RAIL ACROSS THE STREET. IT WAS SO SUDDEN, AND THE CAR JUMPED ABOUT 12 FEET INSTANTLY, AND HIT THE RAIL. SINCE THE STREET IS SLOPING DOWN, I NEVER ACCELERATE WHEN I COME DOWN THE HILL. THIS MODEL HAS A TURBO PROBLEM, AND THE WARRANTY IS EXTENDED ON THE TURBO PART UP TO 10 YEARS. THIS CAR HAD A SEVERAL STARTING PROBLEMS BEFORE, AND DISPLAYED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT. THEN IT IS RESET BY ITSELF. WHEN THE DEALER WAS ASKED, THEY DENIED THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY MALFUNCTION OF THE CAR. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION LOOKS LIKE A DEADLY FAILURE. IF IT HAPPENS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, IT MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN FATAL CRASHES OR DEATHS OF PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2009
SINCE APPROXIMATELY JAN./2008 THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON MY 2007 BMW 328XI COMES ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY AT APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEK INTERVALS. I HAVE HAD THE BMW SERVICE DEPT. LOOK AT IT FIVE(5) TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE DANGER LIES IN THE COMPULSION TO IGNORE A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE OF SO MANY FALSE INDICATIONS, LEADING TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON A PUBLIC ROAD RESULTING IN INJURIES. INTERNET BLOGS REPORT POSSIBLE INSTRUCTIONS BY PARENT COMPANY BMW FOR SERVICE DEPTS. TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM DELIBERATELY. *TR