VehicleVerdict

2007 BMW 3 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 190 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.5 times the median 3 Series year — the 2007 model ranks #2 of 24 3 Series years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (40), electrical system (32), and engine (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

190

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other 3 Series years?

3 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted288 complaints1986: 3 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 6 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 6 complaints2000: 111 complaints2001: 49 complaints2002: 40 complaints2003: 95 complaints2004: 93 complaints2005: 29 complaints2006: 288 complaints2007: 190 complaints2008: 93 complaints2009: 74 complaints2010: 43 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 11 complaints2013: 34 complaints2023: 0 complaints
3 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 3 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 BMW 3 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4021%
Electrical System3217%
Engine2312%
Steering158%
Fuel System126%
Seat Belts105%
Latches & Locks95%
Other84%
Lighting74%
Body & Structure63%
Seats63%
Brakes53%
Speed Control53%
Transmission53%
Tires & Wheels32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%

Does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V119000EngineMarch 2, 2022 · 917,106 units

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 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.

Consequence

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 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.

12E029000EngineAugust 10, 2012 · 585 units

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 the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I'VE OWNED A 2000 AND 2007 BMW 3 SERIES AND A 2010 X6 ALL WITH AIRBAG RECALLS BUT I DON'T OWN ANY OF THESE VEHICLES ANYMORE. AS A MATTER OF FACT I HIT A CURB AND MY DRIVERS AIRBAG BROKE MY FACIAL BONES WITH JUST HITTING A CURB AND WAS TOTALED OUT. WOULD I QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION THROUGH THIS LARGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 10, 2010 · crash

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT CENTER LANE OF INTERSTATE 384 IN MANCHESTER CT. THE CAR STALLED AND SHE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY 3 OTHER VEHICLES. SHE SUFFERED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THIS IS RELATED TO THE RECENT RECALL OF BMWS FOR A FAULTY BATTERY CABLE. BMW WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING WAS WRONG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 3, 2012 · crash

“I HAVE HAD A MAJOR FIRE ON MY CAR DUE TO AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM MY VALVE COVER. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE INVOLVING VALVE COVER LEAKING OIL ON THE EXHAUST AND CREATING A FIRE ON THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 10, 2016 · fire

“POWER STEERING PULLEY COMES INTO CONTACT OF AXLE CARRIER, IT'S A CLEAR DESIGN FLAW AND THIS CAR HASN'T HAD MUCH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DONE, THE COMPANY KNOWINGLY PUT AN UNSAFE BETA CAR ON THE MARKET. MY BELT BROKE BECAUSE OF THE PULLEY TO FRAME CONTACT AND STALLED ON THE 405 FREEWAY AND ENDED UP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 29, 2017 · crash

“MY CAR HAD ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED AT 35,XXX MILES BACK IN FEB OF 2010. NOW AT 69,285 MILES ALL SIX HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING SOMEONE TO REAR END ME ON AN ON RAMP. FAILING INJECTORS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINE. THESE INJECTORS HAVE A 120,000 MILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 27, 2013 · crash

2007 BMW 3 Series — common questions

Is the 2007 BMW 3 Series reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 190 complaints put the 2007 model at #2 of 24 3 Series years. It is one of the 3 Series years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 3 Series problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (40 complaints), electrical system (32 complaints), engine (23 complaints).

Does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 BMW 3 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 3 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 3 Series years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2004, 2009, 2001, 2010, 2002, 2013. The cleanest record among 3 Series years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.