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, Dec 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF ROCHESTER AT 585-617-0465 (LOCATED AT 4250 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Electrical system, Dec 10, 2019, fire
TURNED ON BLOWER MOTOR, CAR SMOKED AND BURNT UP BEFORE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2019
THE SIDE MIRROR DEFECT OR NOT WORKING AUTOMATICALLY FOLD FORWARD AT ANYTIME. THE SPRING NOT SEAT IN PLACE, IT ON TOP RAIL DISK SUSPENTION AND MAY POP OUT SIDE PLACE. THE SPRING MAY NOT FIT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 27, 2019
HEADLIGHTS ARE POINTING UP TO THE SKY INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT FORWARD AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2019
I AM HAVING A NO START, NO CRANK PROBLEM, NEW BATTERY, REMOVE STARTER, CHECKED OK, FUSES, OK. REPAIR CABLE BUT CODE SILL APPEAR, MONTH LATER N START OR CRANK. THIS WEEK BROUGHT NEW CABLE IT DETONATED. HAD CAR TOWED AND NOW AT HOME. OWNED THIS CAR SINCE JULY 2018 AND TOTALLY UPSET. THIS IS MY SECOND BMW AND I LOVE IT. I AM NO SURE BUT I BELIEVE THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I BROUGHT IT.
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2019, fire
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS THAT BMW FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS ABOUT. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN SEVERAL WEEKS. IF THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE MULTIPLE FATALITIES COULD HAVE OCCURED.
Engine, Oct 18, 2019
CAR SMOKES HEAVY WHITE SMOKE IF YOU TAKE OFF FAST. CAR THEN RATTLES, SHAKES, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE SHAKES A LOT. YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR, WAIT 10 SECONDS RESTART AND IT IS NORMAL UNTIL NEXT TIME YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE TO MUCH GAS, WHILE IN MOTION. CAR BURNS A QUART OF OIL ABOUT EVERY 3 THOUSAND MILES. HAPPENS DAILY.
Engine, Sep 20, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 BMW 328XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). A LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2019
VACUUM PUMP RECALL . TAKATA RECALL ELECTRIC RECALL
Air bags, Aug 12, 2019
RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM - FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THIS STARTED HAPPENING 4-5 YEARS AGO WHEN PEOPLE WOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT USED TO COME & GO. IT NEVER GOES OFF NOW.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD, HE NOTICED THE SEAL AROUND THE GLASS THAT SECURED IT WAS PEELING AND HAD CRACKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHUNK OF THE BLACK SEAL WAS CRUMBLING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO D-PATRICK BMW SHOWROOM (200 N GREEN RIVER RD, EVANSVILLE, IN 47715, (812) 473-6500) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IF THEY REMOVED THE WINDSHIELD TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, IT COULD BE A 50/50 CHANCE THE WINDSHIELD COULD BREAK AND THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,774. CONSUMER STATED CALLED THE MANUFACTURER HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE DESIGN FLAW. THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*JB
Steering, Aug 7, 2019
STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING UP WHICH CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START. BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2019
COMFORT ACCESS IS BLOWING FUSE. CAN'T EXIT MY CAR W INSIDE HANDLES, ALL DOORS (ONLY SOMETIMES THOUGH) HAVE TO ROLL DOWN DRIVER WINDOW, INSERT MANUAL KEY TO UNLOCK DOOR. OTHER TIMES, THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS. WITHOUT POWER TO THE WINDOWS, HOW WOULD ONE ESCAPE? THE FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS AT ALL. AS MENTIONED, SOMETIMES I CAN MANUALLY OPEN WITH THE HANDLE INSIDE THE CAR AND OTHER TIMES NOT AT ALL. LOCKS BROKEN AT ALL STAGES, STATIONARY OR MOVING.
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2019
MY CAR IS LOSING POWER RANDOMLY, AND HAS A BURNING SMELL. INSPECTED SOME OF THE WIRES AND MY MAIN WIRE GOING INTO MY FUSE BOX LOOKS A LITTLE BURNT AND HAS A COLOR CHANGE TO IT.
Air bags, Jun 8, 2019
THE SEAT BAG SENSOR IS CONTINUOUSLY ON. THERE IS NO ONE IN THE SEAT. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 65K, THE CAR NOW HAS 106K...IS THIS DANGEROUS TO A PASSENGER? OF COURSE, THIS SEEMS TO ACTIVATE THE SEATBELT LIGHT ALSO...
Air bags, Seats, May 9, 2019
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR (OC3) MAT HAS FAILED IN MY CAR. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE E90 SEDAN AND E91 WAGON VERSION OF THE 2007 328I BUT NOT THE E93 CONVERTIBLE (WHICH I HAVE) THE SEAT COMPONENTS ARE IDENTICAL ON ALL 3 MODEL VERSIONS OF THAT YEAR. WHY IS THE SAFETY OF E93 PASSENGERS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE PASSENGERS IN THE E90 AND E91 WHEN THEY SHARE THE SAME SENSOR? REPAIR COST IS $1,200 FOR A SENSOR BMW KNOWS WILL FAIL. I WANT THE 2007 E93 TO BE INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SI B01 09 14
Air bags, May 2, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, AND HEAD, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Electrical system, Apr 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW (LOCATED AT 5070 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90036, (877) 794-4678). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 16, 2019
RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A BLOWER MOTOR WIRING ISSUE (17V-676) AND AN EXTENSION IN LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. BMW NORTH AMERICA SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE THE VEHICLE IN THERE SYSTEM AND COULD NOT INITIATE REPAIRS UNTIL IT WAS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN TENNESSEE ON 3/23/16, BUT SAW IN THE CARFAX REPORT THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED OVERSEAS.
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2019
WAS DISMISSED BY BMW STATING THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL 17V-683 ' POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER ' ('BLOW-BY-HEATER'). DESPITE HAVING THE DISCRIBED ISSUE WHICH HAS BLOWN 3 FUSES OVER A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. THIS DISMISSAL DESPITE THE ENGINE TYPE AND YEAR BEING MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. NOTE: RECALL DEEMS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 8, 2019
FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM.EFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSION OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. WHAT IS THAT?
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2019
MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BULB FAILED. UPON OPENING UP THE SEALED HEADLIGHT BUCKET, I DISCOVERED THAT THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRES' INSULATION WAS BRITTLE, CRACKED, AND MISSING IN PLACES, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING FOR A SHORT TO AND POSSIBLY A FIRE TO OCCUR.
Air bags, Mar 11, 2019
PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO NOT READ CORRECTLY THE PASSENGER WEIGHT AND POSSIBLY DEPLOYING WITH A CHILD IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES. THERE ARE RECALLS OUT FOR OTHER BMW AUTOS FOR THIS SAME REASON 17V-428 - THIS MODEL AND YEAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LIST BUT IS ALSO CARRYING A DEFECTIVE PART.
Exterior lighting, Mar 11, 2019
I KNOW IT IS A FAIRLY WELL KNOWN ISSUE AS LOOKING INTO A FEW FORUMS AND YOU CAN FIND FOR YOURSELF. I HAVE A 2007 335I COUPE E92 WITH A AROUND 104K MILES AND AS I KNOW IT IS FAR OUT OF WARRANTY THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN. INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING ALL OF THE WIRES START TO WITHER AWAY AND SHORT OUT AGAINST EACH OTHER CAUSING YOUR HEADLIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING INSIDE OF A SEALED UNIT THAT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE SERVICED ALMOST ALL OF THE WIRES COMING FROM THE HARNESS ARE COMPLEATLY BARE AND WITHERED AWAY AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY MOISTURE LEAKING ISSUES SO THAT COULDN'T CAUSE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING EITHER. I BELIEVE IT IS FROM FAULTY WIRING USED INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES THAT CAUSE THEM TO DETERIORATE MORE RAPIDLY.
Air bags, Feb 23, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL...I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW I WOULD SAY SUMMER OF 18 STATING THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING MY WARRANTY ON MY PASSENGER AIR AIRBAG AND A MONTH BEFORE THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT HIGHLIGHTED ON MY DASHBOARD I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO I HAVE A LETTER STATING IT'S EXTENDED AND THE LIGHT IS ON I'M AFRAID IT WILL GO OFF I NEED TO GET A LETTER FROM BMW TO COVER THIS PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THE AIRBAG SOONER