YearToAvoid

2007 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2007 BMW 335i has a complaint index of 100, the highest among all 11 model years with data, and ranks worst overall (1st worst). It carries an Avoid verdict, driven largely by 288 complaints, 122 of them (42%) tied to the fuel system, plus 5 recalls covering airbags and electrical wiring.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 11 335i years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
288
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
9
Injuries
3
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20.5
17.5 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2007 BMW 335i problems

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

  1. Fuel System122 (42%)
  2. Electrical System54 (19%)
  3. Engine53 (18%)
  4. Airbags38 (13%)
  5. Structure & Body26 (9%)
  6. Steering18 (6%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain13 (5%)
  8. Other10 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (3%)
  10. Brakes9 (3%)

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 sudden fuel system failure causing the engine to shudder or stall, sometimes leading to loss of control.
  • Some describe electrical connector overheating, including a discolored positive battery cable that caused sudden loss of power while driving.
  • Multiple owners report engine compartment fires linked to the electric water pump or oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold.
  • Several describe smoke or burning smells from the dashboard or engine bay, in some cases tied to a melted drive belt.
  • Some report front airbags failing to deploy in a crash, or only one airbag deploying, resulting in injury.
  • One owner reported a battery fire after the battery warning light came on intermittently while using the air conditioning.
2007 BMW 335i complaints: complaints filed per quarter282007 Q22009 Q22011 Q22013 Q22015 Q32017 Q32020 Q12022 Q4
288 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2008 Q2 (28).

2007 BMW 335i recalls

5 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 5 recalls for the 2007 BMW 335i →

2007 BMW 335i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,900
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 335i 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
2006No verdict003—
2007Avoid100288520.5
2008Avoid90201420
2009Avoid8085420

All BMW 335i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 BMW 335i reliable?
Among 335i model years with data, 2007 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What is the biggest problem with the 2007 BMW 335i?
Fuel system issues dominate, accounting for 122 of 288 complaints (42%), with a median failure mileage of 48,000 miles for the vehicle overall and 23,750 miles for fuel system complaints specifically.
Does the 2007 BMW 335i have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2007 335i, covering airbag module and inflator issues and electrical wiring/battery cable connector problems.
Which BMW 335i model years are better than 2007?
2015 has the lowest complaint index (20) and a Best verdict, while 2012 and 2014 both earn Good verdicts with complaint indexes of 30 and 40.
Are there fires reported in the 2007 BMW 335i?
NHTSA complaint data lists 9 fires for the 2007 335i, several tied to the electrical system and engine compartment.

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.