How common are engine problems in the 2007 BMW 3 Series?

NHTSA lists 26 engine-related complaints for the 2007 model year, which is 23% of all 115 complaints filed for that year.

Is there a recall for 2007 BMW 3 Series engine issues?

Yes. Recall campaign 22V119000 covers the 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive) and involves installing an electrical wiring remedy; it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.

At what mileage do 2007 3 Series engine problems typically show up?

NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 78,000 miles for engine-area complaints on this model year.

Did the 2007 3 Series engine problems cause any crashes or fires?

NHTSA records show 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries among the engine-related complaints for this model year.

2007 BMW 3 Series Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 engine-related complaints for the 2007 BMW 3 Series, 23% of that year's 115 total complaints. Owners report failures at a median 78,000 miles, including valve cover oil leaks that led to fires, a power steering pulley design issue that broke serpentine belts, and stalling. A related recall (22V119000) covers electrical wiring on 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe models.

Engine complaints: 26; 23% of 115 complaints
All complaints this year: 115
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 78,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Engine ticking noise reported by owners, with BMW reportedly aware that bleeding the system does not fix the underlying cylinder head issue.
Valve cover oil leaks that dripped onto the exhaust, in one case causing visible smoke and a fire while driving on the highway.
Power steering pulley contacting the axle carrier or subframe, breaking the serpentine belt and causing sudden loss of power steering and stalling.
Engine stalling or loss of acceleration while driving, in one case leaving the vehicle stranded in a traffic lane.
Rough or failed engine starts accompanied by a lit battery indicator lamp and degraded performance while driving.
Hard kicking or jerking in first gear reported at 63,000 miles despite a recall repair already performed.

When 2007 BMW 3 Series engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 8, 2009, latest Dec 18, 2018.

26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2009 to Dec 2018; peak Jun 2013 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2007 BMW 3 Series

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.

Engine complaints by 3 Series model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20051 (4%)
200620 (10%)
200726 (23%)
200818 (26%)
20098 (15%)
20108 (27%)
20111 (100%)
20123 (43%)
20139 (43%)
20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2007 BMW 3 Series?: NHTSA lists 26 engine-related complaints for the 2007 model year, which is 23% of all 115 complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for 2007 BMW 3 Series engine issues?: Yes. Recall campaign 22V119000 covers the 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive) and involves installing an electrical wiring remedy; it is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
At what mileage do 2007 3 Series engine problems typically show up?: NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 78,000 miles for engine-area complaints on this model year.
Did the 2007 3 Series engine problems cause any crashes or fires?: NHTSA records show 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries among the engine-related complaints for this model year.