YearToAvoid

2007 BMW 328i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2007 BMW 328i carries a complaint index of 91, ranking 2nd worst out of 12 model years, and is rated Avoid. NHTSA lists 398 complaints, 6 recalls, 28 fires, and 11 crashes, led by electrical system problems (34% of complaints).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
91/100
#2 of 12 328i years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
398
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
11
reported in complaints
Fires
28
Injuries
14
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 27.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
14 / 0

Top 2007 BMW 328i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System135 (34%)
  2. Airbags105 (26%)
  3. Engine102 (26%)
  4. Structure & Body60 (15%)
  5. Steering56 (14%)
  6. Other22 (6%)
  7. Fuel System15 (4%)
  8. Seat Belts15 (4%)
  9. Brakes14 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in side and front-end collisions, sometimes resulting in injury despite significant vehicle damage.
  • Electrical fires start near the headlight or engine compartment, in one case igniting minutes after the car was parked.
  • The engine emits smoke or catches fire from the crankcase area, sometimes with a preceding check-engine warning.
  • Owners report sudden stalling in traffic along with overheating and a burning smell from the battery area.
  • Some drivers describe unintended acceleration or delayed throttle response after exiting a highway, leading to a crash.
2007 BMW 328i complaints: complaints filed per quarter182007 Q12009 Q32012 Q12014 Q32017 Q12019 Q32022 Q22025 Q1
398 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q2 (18).

2007 BMW 328i recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 6 recalls for the 2007 BMW 328i →

2007 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2007 compared with other 328i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005No verdict901 !—
2006No verdict003—
2007Avoid91398621
2008Caution64239521
2009Caution73193620

All BMW 328i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 BMW 328i reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2007 328i a complaint index of 91, the second worst of the 12 model years with data, so it is rated Avoid relative to other 328i years.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 BMW 328i?
Electrical system issues make up 34% of complaints, followed by airbag problems at 26% and engine problems at 26%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2007 BMW 328i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2007 328i, covering airbags, engine PCV valve heaters, wiring/electrical connectors, and a battery cable connector.
At what mileage do 2007 328i problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: electrical issues around 97,250 miles, airbag issues around 83,000 miles, and engine issues around 91,000 miles.
How does the 2007 328i compare to other years?
The 2007 328i's complaint index of 91 is worse than most other 328i years; only the 2011 model, with an index of 100, ranks lower.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.