The Lemon Index2007 BMW X3.
The 2007 BMW X3 is worse than average by owner complaints: 38 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 149, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 20 mpg combined. The best BMW X3 year is 2012.
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Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 258 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW X3 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 40K to 109K miles on the car (152 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 73K–104K miles
- seats complaints mostly came at 72K–112K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–62K miles
Recalls 5
- engine 2022
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.
- 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 5 recalls
- airbags 2017
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- airbags 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 74 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "repairing transfer case actuator (vtg servo-motor)
- 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
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Acceleration hesitation on bwm x3 especially when turning into traffic from stop (0 mph). Unanticipated loss of acceleration while maintaining pressure on gas pedal.
2007 BMW X3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10198239
More owner reports
Vehicle hesitates from stop. Transmission constantly "hunts" for proper gear. Vehicle exhibits loss of power when merging into traffic, or making turns.
NHTSA complaint 10223220
The vehicle has a tremendous lag when u step on the gas....
NHTSA complaint 10228609
Quick answers
Is the 2007 BMW X3 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 149; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW X3 year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2007 BMW X3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (87%), fuel system, gasoline (5%) and speed control (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 BMW X3 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 BMW X3 get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 BMW X3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,200 and 109,500 miles. The middle report was at 78,300 miles, from 152 complaints.
Does the 2007 BMW X3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 87% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 BMW X3 cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 BMW X3 have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW X3 year is better than the 2007?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2018 and 2014.
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