Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2007 BMW 3 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags35
- Electrical system31
- Engine22
- Steering15
- Seat belts10
- Latches/locks/linkages9
- Exterior lighting7
- Structure6
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Unknown or other6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2007 BMW 3 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (95 kW, 127 hp), 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 2.5 petrol (160 kW, 215 hp), out of 12 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 95 kW 127 hp | 1,388 |
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 727 |
| 2.5 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 649 |
| 3.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 593 |
| 2.0 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 412 |
| 3.0 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 407 |
| 3.0 petrol | 200 kW 268 hp | 145 |
| 2.0 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 130 |
| 2.0 diesel | 90 kW 121 hp | 121 |
| 2.0 diesel | 120 kW 161 hp | 119 |
| 3.0 diesel | 170 kW 228 hp | 99 |
| 3.0 diesel | 145 kW 194 hp | 81 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
5,258 first registered in 2007 are on Dutch roads; 44% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €48,361.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen2,831
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde2,565
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,653
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar1,562
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld1,239
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm1,158
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect900
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont715
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
19,100 cars built in 2007 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 7,338 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 30,104 of these cars first registered in 2007 took their annual MOT test. 67% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2007 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.8% | 20.6% |
| Brakes | 10.0% | 11.9% |
| Suspension | 9.5% | 17.2% |
| Tyres | 8.1% | 7.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% | 6.4% |
| Visibility | 5.1% | 7.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
2,414 of these cars first registered in 2007 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 297,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
2,596 2007 cars are on the New Zealand register; 85% arrived as used imports, 11% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
8 Transport Canada recalls for the 2007 BMW 3 Series.
| 2024392 3 Jul 2024 | Airbag Issue: This recall applies to vehicles that may be equipped with a replacement sport or M-sport steering wheel that has a Takata airbag. Long-term exposure to… |
| 2022095 2 Mar 2022 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short … |
| 2019310 20 Jun 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain 3-series and M3 vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box may fail. This could cause a loss of electrical power while … |
| 2017588 30 Nov 2017 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the blower regulator wiring harness crimp connection could start to corrode over time. This in combination with high current flow (IE maxim… |
| 2017470 28 Sept 2017 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If thi… |
| 2016142 31 Mar 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2013238 5 Jul 2013 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating th… |
| 2013048 7 Feb 2013 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s ele… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2007 BMW 3 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10182619 | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root caus |
| 10145306 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: |
| 10143564 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: |
| 10143557 | RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STATUS REQUEST SUPPLEMENT |
| 10136745 | ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information |
| 10056703 | BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. LIMITED WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED, UP TO 15 YEARS, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMITATION FOR FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR (OC3) (MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP). MODEL 2006-2007 E60 (5 SERIES SEDAN, E61 (5 SERIES SPORTSWAGON), E85 (Z4 ROADSTER), E90 (3 SERIES), E90 (3 SERIES SPORT WAGON). *PE |
| 10052012 | BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB |
| 10051519 | BMW: THE HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) BATTERY CELLS COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING SLEEP MODE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS |
| 10051459 | BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS |
| 10051359 | BMW: VEHICLE DOES NOT START: LOOSE GROUND Z6000 *4B. COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW NEW VEHICLE/SAV LIMITED WARRANTY. *JS |
| 10046861 | BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE REPLACING AND/OR CHECKING OF EMISSIONS MONITORING COMPONENTS TO INCREASE EMISSIONS STABILITY, HIGH PRESSURE (HP) EGR VALVE RESTRICTION OF EXCESSIVE SOOT AND IMPROVED DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) MIXTURE INTRODUCED IN EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM SCR MIXER. MODEL 2008-2009 E70, E90. *PE UPDATED 5/10/13. *PE |
| 10045283 | BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE |
| 10045279 | BMW: A FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER WASTEGATES, CAUSED BY A DEFECT, HAS AN EMISSIONS EXTENDED WARRANTY, 8 YEARS OR 82,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, NOT OTHERWISE FALLING WITHIN COVERAGE EXCLUSION. *PE |
| 10044032 | BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO FEBRUARY 27,2012. *JS |
| 10042686 | BMW: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE JBE (JUNCTION BOX ELECTRONICS) MODULE FAILS PROGRAMMING DURING A SOFTWARE UPDATE OF THE VEHICLE. *PE |
| 10042684 | BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSING DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ERRATIC ENGINE OPERATION AND LONGER STARTING TIMES. *PE |
| 10041411 | BMW: E92. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ON THE FRONT DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DELIVER THE BELT. THE SAFETY BELT EXTENDER EXTENDS BUT THE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE HAND ON THE EXTENDER FAILS. THE SAFETY BELT IS TWISTED. THE EXTENDER WILL NOT OPERATE AND MAKES NOISE WHILE EXTENDING. *RM |
| 10040854 | BMW: THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS AND THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE WITH THE REMOTE KEY. THE KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO THE KEY SLOT. COMMUNICATION TO THE VEHICLE IS NOT POSSIBLE. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION AT THE FRONT POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX LOSES CONNECTION. *RM |
| 10040853 | BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM |
| 10040852 | BMW: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THERE ARE TROUBLE CODES STORED FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. *RM |
| 10040736 | BMW: VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING INCLUDING: INSTRUMENTS, DOOR LOCKS, WIPERS, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. THERE MAY ALSO BE WARNING LIGHTS ON. K-CAN WIRING IN THE VEHICLE SHORTED. *RM UPDATED 10/5/11. *PE |
| 10040368 | BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH COULD NOT MEET EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THERE MAY BE A LONG CRANK AND A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. *RM |
| 10040347 | BMW: FUEL INJECTORS MAY CAUSE MISFIRE FAULTS WITH ERRATIC ENGINE OPERATION. *RM UPDATED ON 11/1/2013. *KB |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)