YearToAvoid

2007 BMW 328xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2007 BMW 328xi ranks worst of 11 model years for this vehicle, with a complaint index of 100 and 198 complaints led by electrical system failures (32%). It carries 4 recalls, 11 reported fires, and is rated Avoid relative to other 328xi model years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 11 328xi years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
198
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
11
Injuries
4
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2006
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2007 BMW 328xi problems

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

  1. Electrical System64 (32%)
  2. Engine48 (24%)
  3. Airbags40 (20%)
  4. Structure & Body33 (17%)
  5. Steering25 (13%)
  6. Other13 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain10 (5%)
  8. Fuel System8 (4%)
  9. Seat Belts8 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report engine compartment fires starting near the windshield, hood, or dashboard area, sometimes while the car is parked and unoccupied.
  • Some describe the vehicle overheating and losing power steering while driving at highway speed.
  • Brake failures are reported where pressing the pedal produced no response, accompanied by ABS and DSC warning messages on the dash.
  • Steering wheels have reportedly locked up suddenly during low-speed turns, leading to collisions.
  • Engine problems include valve cover gasket leaks that burn oil on the catalytic converter and produce smoke inside the cabin.
  • Several owners connect engine cooling issues to an open NHTSA recall campaign they were notified about before the failure occurred.
2007 BMW 328xi complaints: complaints filed per quarter122009 Q12011 Q22013 Q12014 Q42016 Q32018 Q22020 Q12022 Q3
198 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q1 to 2025 Q3; peak 2013 Q1 (12).

2007 BMW 328xi recalls

4 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 17V676000Oct 25, 2017Electrical System702,965 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 4 recalls for the 2007 BMW 328xi →

2007 BMW 328xi fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
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 328xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good2053—
2007Avoid100198420
2008Avoid9099320
2009Good30114—

All BMW 328xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 BMW 328xi reliable?
Compared with other 328xi model years, 2007 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 198 complaints, the top area being the Electrical System at 32% of complaints.
What problems does the 2007 BMW 328xi have?
The leading problem areas are Electrical System (64 complaints), Engine (48 complaints), and Airbags (40 complaints), with a median failure mileage around 70,000 miles overall.
Does the 2007 BMW 328xi have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this vehicle covering airbags (twice) and electrical system wiring, with none classified as do-not-drive.
Which BMW 328xi model years should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2007, 2008, and 2011 are rated Avoid, while 2006, 2009, and 2015 are rated Good among the 11 model years with data.
Are there fire reports for the 2007 BMW 328xi?
NHTSA complaints include 11 reported fires for this model year, several involving the engine compartment or electrical wiring.

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.