2007 BMW X3 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 BMW X3, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
39
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
6
Median mileage
145,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 19 of 39 complaints (49%).
  • Seats & Seat Belts (7) and airbags (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 145,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 5 fires and 6 injuries.
  • The 2007 BMW X3 has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 6th of 22 BMW X3 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2007 BMW X3 problems by category

  • Engine
    19 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    7 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    6 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Electrical System
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Brakes
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine and engine cooling11
Engine9
Seats7
Unknown or other6
Air bags5
Electrical system4
Vehicle speed control2
Power train2

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k230k–60k60k–100k4100k–150k7150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2007 BMW X3 complaints that list mileage.

2007 BMW X3 recalls (3)

  • Recall 20V017000Jan 15, 202059,965 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.

  • Recall 17V683000Oct 30, 2017740,561 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.

  • Recall 17V605000Sep 28, 201785,302 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2007 BMW X3 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 8, 202514,000 miNYElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer to be repaired under an undisclosed Takata recall repair; however, after the recall repair was performed, the horn became inoperable. Additionally, several buttons on the steering wheel also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
    NHTSA complaint #11679326 · source
  2. Filed Jul 31, 2025NYAirbags
    I’m writing to escalate an unresolved issue following a recent airbag takata recall repair performed at BMW of Manhattan on my 2007 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] ) , license [XXX] Prior to the recall service, there were no airbag or SRS warning lights on my dashboard. Immediately after the repair, however, the airbag light appeared, and I have since been informed by the dealership that it is unrelated to their work and my responsibility to address — despite this issue arising only after…
    NHTSA complaint #11677422 · source
  3. Filed Jan 5, 2024PAElectrical SystemEngine
    Had it in bmw dealership for recall to be fixed, that caused my engine light to come on. My engine light was still in when I went back to get it. They said au had to pay $100.00 to have the engine light off. I said I'm not paying if it's a recall. They refused to do anything else. I took it home and put my code reader on it and it was showing code for the part that Was not changed under recall. I have been calling them since and they have not called me back.
    NHTSA complaint #11563800 · source
  4. Filed Nov 9, 2023MASeats & Seat Belts
    I was driving my daughter to school this morning and turned on the seat warmers/heaters. After a few minutes on the road, I started to smell something burning. I couldn’t identify the smell and wondered if it was coming from the heater. I touched the left edge of the driver seat and was immediately burned on my hand. I quickly turned off the seat heaters and noticed that the left edge of the seat was burning. Yes, the safety of me and my daughter was at risk. I swerved when…
    NHTSA complaint #11554287 · source
  5. Filed Oct 18, 2023NJOther / UnknownSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    Summary of complaint: We own a 2007 BMW X3 SUV that we have taken to the BMW Mt. Laurel NJ dealership for service since we bought the car over five years ago. On August 15th 2023, we took the car for a scheduled service and oil change. We paid $3000 + and brought the car back home first week of September when the car was purportedly repaired. My husband noticed that the car was not driving quite well. The steering was tight. When we called BMW they told us it might take a…
    NHTSA complaint #11550734 · source
  6. Filed Sep 8, 2023WAAirbagsBrakesOther / Unknown
    1. My car is very old and has 189,000 miles. Takata airbag recalls are now known and issued by the NHSTA, it shows that I have 6 recalls and BMW does not see the recalls. As well as my brakes they are super soft and the only thing I did for the brakes is replace new brake pads they are OEM and also my emergency parking brakes are not working. It is avaible for inspection. 2. My safety while driving the car is at risk because I dont know if the airbag will work or fail at any…
    NHTSA complaint #11543433 · source
  7. Filed May 15, 2023127,000 miCACrash2 injuredTowedAirbags
    The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle T-bone crashed into the side of a tractor trailer. During the crash the front driver side and passenger side airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained head, neck, back and internal injuries and the front passenger sustained head, neck, back and leg injuries. No further information was available. Both occupants were transported to the hospital. A police report was taken…
    NHTSA complaint #11522035 · source
  8. Filed Apr 27, 2023TXEngine
    The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
    NHTSA complaint #11519316 · source

Compare the 2007 BMW X3 with another vehicle →

Other 2007 BMW models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology