VehicleVerdict

2007 BMW 5 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2007 BMW 5 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other 5 Series years?

See all 5 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 BMW 5 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags732%
Seat Belts523%
Electrical System314%
Steering29%
Seats15%
Transmission15%
Brakes15%
Engine15%
Lighting15%

Does the 2007 BMW 5 Series have recalls?

4 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.

12V126000Electrical SystemMarch 26, 2012 · 367,682 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

10V446000BrakesOctober 1, 2010 · 198,352 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V5640200 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INFORMED CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PART BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 1, 2014

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING COMES ON SAYING THE AIR BAG IS IN DEFECT, THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING BUT WEAR SEAT BELT FOR SAFETY ANYWAY. MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WAS MADE WITH DEFECTIVE FAULTS, SINCE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 23, 2013

LH AND RH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A ELECTRICAL HEADLIGHT FIRE FROM THE EXPOSED BARE WIRES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 10, 2015

VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING A STEERING WHEEL LOCK. A RED WARNING LIGHT WITH A LOCK SYMBOL (UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER) IS ON THE PANEL DISPLAY. THIS IS VERY ALARMING AND DISTRACTING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL IMPACT THE ACTUAL STEERING. SO FAR THE VEHICLE DOES START UP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 15, 2015

REPORTED ENGINE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AT THE TIME REPORTED) AND WAS ADVISED BY BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, REPAIRS EXCEED $1000. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC'S ADVICE THAT IF TRANSMISSION GOES UNREPAIRED, RISK TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND NO LONGER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 8, 2011

2007 BMW 5 Series — common questions

Is the 2007 BMW 5 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2007 5 Series problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (7 complaints), seat belts (5 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2007 BMW 5 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 BMW 5 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 5 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 5 Series years to avoid are 2008, 2006, 2011, 2004. The cleanest record among 5 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.