2007 BMW 3 Series Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
78/100
#3 most-complained of 10 3 Series years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2007 BMW 3 Series ranks 3rd worst of 10 model years, with 115 complaints and a complaint index of 78, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are airbags (30%) and electrical system (30%), with one recall for wiring issues.
- Complaints
- 115
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2007 BMW 3 Series problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags35 (30%)
- Electrical System35 (30%)
- Engine26 (23%)
- Structure & Body20 (17%)
- Steering15 (13%)
- Fuel System12 (10%)
- Seat Belts10 (9%)
- Other9 (8%)
- Brakes5 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed crashes, sometimes on icy or slippery roads.
- Electrical wiring problems trigger fires, including smoke from the AC ventilation system and burning plastic smells from under the hood.
- Seat heaters have overheated and burned through seat material and clothing.
- Fuel injectors fail repeatedly, causing long cranking times, warning lights, power loss, and limp mode even after prior injector replacement.
- Oil leaking from the valve cover has ignited fires near the exhaust while driving.
- A power steering pulley design issue has caused belt failure and stalling in traffic.
2007 BMW 3 Series recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
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 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.
2007 compared with other 3 Series years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 BMW 3 Series reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 3 Series ranks 3rd worst out of 10 model years with data, with a complaint index of 78 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 BMW 3 Series?
- NHTSA complaints show airbags and electrical system issues each make up 30% of reports, followed by engine problems at 23% and structure/body issues at 17%.
- Does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 22V119000) covering an electrical wiring issue affecting the 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe and related models.
- At what mileage do 2007 BMW 3 Series problems typically occur?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 61,173.5 miles, though fuel system complaints show a lower median of 37,700 miles.
- How does the 2007 BMW 3 Series compare to other years?
- The 2006 model has a higher complaint index of 100 and is also rated Avoid, while 2012 has the lowest complaint index at 22 and is rated Best among 3 Series years.