The 2007 BMW 3 Series has 2 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (40 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints115filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
2007 BMW 3 Series in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
NHTSA recall 22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022 · 917,106 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
NHTSA recall 12E029000 · Aug 10, 2012 · 585 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2007 BMW 3 Series Convertible w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2007 BMW 3 Series 2-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2007 BMW 3 Series Wagon w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2007 BMW 3 Series 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification; Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
40
2
0
2
71,555 mi
Electrical system
31
1
2
1
55,000 mi
Engine
22
3
2
2
88,000 mi
Steering
15
1
0
1
80,784 mi
Seat belts
10
0
0
0
91,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
9
0
0
0
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting
7
0
1
0
54,000 mi
Structure Body; Body › Door
6
0
0
0
68,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
6
1
0
0
69,285 mi
Seats
6
0
1
0
81,201 mi
Unknown or other
6
0
1
0
89,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
2
0
1
78,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 16, 2017 · 65 milesAir bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger 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...
Nov 16, 2018 · 100,000 miles · fireElectrical system 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 WITH MOST OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE BAY. MY FRIEND IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE AS I RAN AND TRIED TO WARN NEIGHBORS , WITHIN 7 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY CHARD. NO MAITNANCE LIGHTS WERE ON AND NOTHING SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM. THE TWO RECALLS I NEVER RECEIVED BOTH WOULD EXPLAN THIS INCEDENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 NHTSA…
Dec 13, 2018Air bags 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.
Nov 28, 2018Electrical system 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
Nov 10, 2018 · 73,000 milesElectrical system 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.
Jul 10, 2017Electrical 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. I LEARNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM A YEAR AND A HALF AGO FROM THE NEWS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW, ALTHOUGH I VERIFIED WITH THEM THEY HAVE MY VIN NUMBER AND MY CAR IS PART OF THE RECALL. I HESITATE TO EVEN DRIVE MY CAR AND HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT A SPONTANEOUS FIRE SPARKED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT SEEMS UNACCEPTABLE AS A…
Sep 21, 2018Structure › 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.
Nov 7, 2017Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
