The Lemon Index2007 BMW 3 Series.
The 2007 BMW 3 Series is worse than average by owner complaints: 189 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 150, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Worse than average. 1.5× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,041 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 98K miles on the car (766 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 54K–110K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 62K–110K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 62K–117K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2024
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.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Show all 6 recalls
- electrical 2017
The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
- airbags 2013
The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue an.
- electrical 2013
In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 137 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information This Service Information bulletin…
- Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stalling - fuel pump failure2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
High pressure fuel pump failure in BMW 335i coupe. 4 weeks to replace.
2007 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10197735
More owner reports
All doors on a 2007 BMW 328i, 4-door, would not unlock for an unknown reason. All passengers were trapped inside the vehicle and had to climb out the windows to exit the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10289202
Drove car normally - no extraordinary event leading up to issue. Car threw engine error and ran under forced 'limp' mode. Took to dealer - they had to replace the high pressure fuel pump.
NHTSA complaint 10230065
Quick answers
Is the 2007 BMW 3 Series reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 150; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2007 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (53%), doors, locks & latches (16%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 BMW 3 Series get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,200 and 98,700 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 766 complaints.
Does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2007 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 BMW 3 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works