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2007 BMW 3 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2007 BMW 3 Series is airbags, typically around 71,555 miles. It has 3.2 times the complaints of a typical 3 Series model year.

Year to avoid3.2x the typical complaints
Year score
32/100
Owner complaints
115
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
912 warranty
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
20-22mpg

The worst 2007 BMW 3 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2007 BMW 3 Series

Door locks 13Stalling 10Steering lock-up 9Fire or smoke 7Headlights 6Key fob 6Loss of power 6ABS 5Airbag light 5

Recalls 1

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported March 2, 2022 · 917,106 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.

Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2007 BMW 3 Series

Technical service bulletins for the 2007 BMW 3 Series 91

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 91 bulletins for the 2007 BMW 3 Series

2007 BMW 3 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylRWD17-1826-2820-22
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD1725-2620

What 2007 BMW 3 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 8, 2019 · Airbags · 65 miles · VA

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...

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · CA · 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 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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v683000 the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · SC

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.

Filed Nov 29, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · GA

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

Filed Nov 11, 2018 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 6, 2018 · Electrical · FL

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 consumer no action has been taken to remedy what could be a very serious issue (my house burning down for one). I am getting nowhere when I contact bmw.

Filed Sep 23, 2018 · Body · TX

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.

Filed Sep 7, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · TX

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.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 90,000 miles · VA

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 to always on, which can cause injury or death to children or small passengers in that seat. The cost to repair this is usually $200 for parts and $400 for labor which means many drivers simply don't fix it creating a vulnerability. The issue has been recurring with bmws for several generations and across model types and should be addressed by the manufacturer as its a poorly made part and set up. There are numerous documented cases on bmw forums and a partial recall for some models was implemented. A full recall is needed on all cars affected, including 2007 3 series models. The issue does not appear fixed until the f model 3 series came out. Https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4746508#post4746508 https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-496444.html

Filed May 30, 2018 · Airbags, Seat belts · 71,555 miles · CA

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. I talked to the dealership and they indicated that it is the airbag and seat sensors that have malfunctioned. Each to fix is over $500. They also indicated that this is a common problem for owners and to wait for a supposably recall letter. However, that was a year ago and I now have the airbag and seatbelt light going off. I've also come across many bmw forums (owners) talking about their frustration with these same issues. It's surprising that the dealerships acknowledge the issue but yet nothing is being resolved. There has to be a remedy for this annoyance and lack of acknowledgement by bmw. If anything there has to be some repercussions on bmw's part since the consumers are having to deal with these problem for what seems to be years now.

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Questions about the 2007 BMW 3 Series

Is the 2007 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 115 complaints about the 2007 BMW 3 Series, 3.2 times a typical 3 Series model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2007 BMW 3 Series year score?

The 2007 BMW 3 Series scores 32 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2007 BMW 3 Series?

Airbags, with 35 complaints, typically around 71,555 miles. Next is electrical (31).

How many recalls does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have?

1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.

What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad airbags?

The BMW 3 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (101 complaints), 2007 (35 complaints) and 2003 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2007 BMW 3 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2007 BMW 3 Series range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 26-28 highway.

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