2007 Bmw 3 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (17) · Steering (12) · Engine (12)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 3 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
91 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: 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 SA
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ow
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-10 · campaign 12E029000 · 585 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (91)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2025-03-13 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2025-02-20 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-06-01 · B650709 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Showing the 6 most recent of 91 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-06-08 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger · 65 mi“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...…”
2018-12-18 · Unknown Or Other · 100,000 mi · 🔥 fire“i was going between 30 and 35 mph through city streets at roughly 3am on my way back from my commute which is roughly 60 miles. i noticed it started to smell like burning plastic and immediately after smoke was visible coming from hood vents, i parked the car as soon as i could and popped the hood and the heat cover for the hood was on fire along w…”
2018-12-13 · Engine“recall for front passenger seat occupant detection mat & pcv valve heater not complete. dealer has not been able to obtain parts to repair these recalls.…”
2018-11-29 · Engine“dealer refused to make the repairs on my engine that was caused by the recall product the pcv valve. dealer says their not required to make any repairs, their job is to replace the recall part…”
2018-11-11 · Electrical System · 73,000 mi“stationary in parking lot. front passenger door will not lock/unlock with any method attempted. drivers door will only unlock using emergency key from exterior.…”
2018-11-06 · Electrical System“despite repeated phone calls to bmw customer service, and stopping at the local dealership, no action has been taken by bmw for a recall regarding a spontaneous fire that can occur with my vehicle due to an electrical issue, even when the car is garaged and not in use. customer service repeatedly tells me they don't have the parts to fix the issue…”
2018-09-23 · Structure:body“water leaks in my car on driver side front and back seat carpet is soak and smell. not the first when going to get a car wash leaks occur. this is my second bmw i had a 2004 325l same problem with leakage. also, no doubt rust have occur in this vehicle with on going leaks.…”
2018-09-07 · Exterior Lighting“replaced blower motor twice 4 months 1st one made noise and stop blowing air out vents now second one is making loud rattling noise. constant tail light bulb issues display tail light malfunction.…”
2018-08-22 · Electrical System · 90,000 mi“passenger airbag restraint failure - bmw's, in particular 3 series and e90 models, have a known and common failure where the seat based electrical mat fails in the passenger seats. this is not related to wear and tear as the seats often go unused but simply fail after a certain period of time. the error causes the passenger side airbag to default t…”
2018-05-30 · Seats · 71,555 mi“for over a year now the airbag light on the dashboard has been going on and off. originally, it was only turning on when i had a passenger in the front seat. now it turns on with or without a person so i'm starting to think that the drivers side is malfunctioning too. in additional the seatbelt light is turning on too now. this is very frustrating.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.