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2007 BMW X3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 BMW X3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

36 reports with mileage · 62 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports9 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

25 reports
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124,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

I'VE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE TWO RECALLS DONE AT MY NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP (GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW IN MARIETTA, GA.), BUT THEY REFUSE TO SCHEDULE ME. THE TWO RECALLS ARE: NHTSA 17V605 AND NHTSA 17V683

NHTSA ODI #11156590

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, OIL LEAKED ONTO THE HEAD GASKET OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK ENTERED ONTO THE SERPENTINE BELT. BMW OF MAINLINE (225 BALA AVENUE, BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA 19004, (610) 668-2200) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED A FAILURE WITH THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, OIL LEAKED ONTO THE HEAD GASKET OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK ENTERED ONTO THE SERPENTINE BELT. BMW OF MAINLINE (225 BALA AVENUE, BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA 19004, (610) 668-2200) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED A FAILURE WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11133341

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2018
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V605000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNABL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V605000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. **TR UPDATED 10/19/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11121643

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2018
Air BagsEngine

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000, 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECAL…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000, 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN (1305 GRAY ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002, (713) 289-1200) STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000, 17V605000 (AIR BAGS), AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING).

NHTSA ODI #11121098

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2018
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CIRCLE BMW AT 732-440-3640 (500 NJ 36, EATON, NJ 07724) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11089859

56,000 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Air BagsEngineFire

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 17V605000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR OF PLASTIC EMERGING FROM THE VENTS. ADDITIONALLY, SMOKE ENTERED…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 17V605000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR OF PLASTIC EMERGING FROM THE VENTS. ADDITIONALLY, SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE MUST SHIP THE VEHICLE TO HONOLULU, HI TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER AT HER EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE REIMBURSED WHEN THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT SOME OF THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE .THE CONTACT DECLINED TO SHIP THE VEHICLE TO HONOLULU DUE TO FUNDS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11084820

186,123 miles · Feb 12, 2018
EngineSeats

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER BMW CONFIRMED ME THAT MY CAR HAS 2 RECALL INVOLVING PCV VALVE AND SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. MY CAR IS OVERHEATING AND I CAN SMELL PLASTIC SMELL . THE SMOKE COMES FROM THE HOOD COMPARTMENT WHEN AND I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO BMW MINNETONKA. I WAS SO SCARED TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN SUCH CONDITION AND I …

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SINCE THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER BMW CONFIRMED ME THAT MY CAR HAS 2 RECALL INVOLVING PCV VALVE AND SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. MY CAR IS OVERHEATING AND I CAN SMELL PLASTIC SMELL . THE SMOKE COMES FROM THE HOOD COMPARTMENT WHEN AND I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO BMW MINNETONKA. I WAS SO SCARED TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN SUCH CONDITION AND I HAVE TRIED SO MANY TIME TO GET THESE ISSUE RESOLVED OR GET ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WHICH BMW GAVE ME AUTHORIZATION THROUGH BMW REPAIR CENTER IN MINNEHAHA, MN. BUT UNTIL NO LOANER VEHICLE IS GAVE TO ME NOR MY CAR IS NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. I STILL HAVE THE CAR WITH BMW MINNETONKA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD ASK ME TO TALK TO BMW SERVICES AND WHEN I TALK TO BMW SERVICES THEY ALSO ASK ME TO TALK TO MY SERVICE MANAGER. I NEED HELP TO GET THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11072300

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2018
Engine

POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER- THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED AND UNABLE TO REMEDY THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11063775

105,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT ONCE THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. SANTA BARBARA AUTO GROUP IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT ONCE THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. SANTA BARBARA AUTO GROUP IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #11061312

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2018
Air BagsEngine

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE MONTHS AGO FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), 17V605000 (AIR BAGS), AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER (BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA, (770) 969-0755) WAS CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE REMEDY …

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE MONTHS AGO FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), 17V605000 (AIR BAGS), AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER (BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA, (770) 969-0755) WAS CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO THE RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11061149

Official recalls

3

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 30, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V605000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Sep 28, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.