2007 BMW X3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2007 BMW X3 ranks worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 258 complaints, 5 recalls, and 29 fires. Owners most often report airbag, engine, and seat-heater related structural issues, earning it an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 X3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 258
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 29
- Injuries
- 27
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
Top 2007 BMW X3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags78 (30%)
- Engine68 (26%)
- Structure & Body58 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain52 (20%)
- Electrical System33 (13%)
- Other13 (5%)
- Brakes7 (3%)
- Steering5 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
- Fuel System3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver-side heated seats overheat, burning through leather and clothing and filling the cabin with smoke.
- Some seat-heater fires occurred at low speeds around 20-25 mph, with smoke visible from the driver's seat.
- Brake lights illuminate on their own with no fault found by dealers, sometimes clearing after the vehicle is restarted.
- Steering has locked up while turning at low speed, accompanied by battery and oil warning lights.
- Vehicles have been resold with driver airbags missing after being declared total losses.
- One report describes an unexplained loss of control resulting in a crash into a driveway retaining wall.
2007 BMW X3 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2007 BMW X3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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 X3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 BMW X3 reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks it the worst of 21 X3 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 258 complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other X3 years.
- What are the most common complaints on the 2007 BMW X3?
- Airbags lead with 78 complaints (30% share), followed by Engine at 68 complaints (26%) and Structure & Body at 58 complaints (22%), which includes numerous seat-heater fire reports.
- Does the 2007 BMW X3 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2007 X3, covering airbags (driver frontal airbag and passenger occupant detection mat) and engine PCV valve heater wiring issues.
- How many fires were reported for the 2007 BMW X3?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 29 fire reports for the 2007 X3, many tied to driver-side heated seats overheating.
- Which BMW X3 model years are better than 2007?
- Years like 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2023 carry a Best verdict with much lower complaint indexes (15, 10, 20, and 0 respectively) compared to the 2007 model's index of 100.