RoadVitals

2007 BMW 5 Series

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Aug 13, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Mar 2, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 BMW 5 Series, most frequently naming the airbags, seat belts and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 66 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags628.6%
  • Seat belts523.8%
  • Electrical314.3%
  • Steering29.5%
  • Interior & seats14.8%
  • Exterior lighting14.8%
  • Powertrain (other)14.8%
  • Engine14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V119000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Mar 2, 2022
917,106 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
12E029000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Aug 10, 2012
585 units potentially affected
The defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
The risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
The remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
ValeoView on NHTSA.gov
12V126000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Mar 26, 2012
367,682 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2016

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. CAN NOT GET IT OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MODE THAT SHOWS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FIND THAT THIS HAS AND IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN BMW AUTOMOBILES, WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE VERY DANGEROUS. NOT TO MENTION INCONVENIENT SINCE YOU CAN NOT START OR DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE FOR NO KNOWN REASON. I AM PRETTY DARN UPSET ABOUT THIS! LUCKILY I HAD JUST PUT THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MIGHT OF HAPPENED IF I WAS ON A PUBLIC STREET OR AWAY FROM MY HOME...PERHAPS IN A PARKING LOT. I WOULD BE STRANDED SINCE THE CAR CAN NOT START OR BE DRIVEN IF THE WHEEL IS LOCKED.

NHTSA ID
10895538
Incident
Aug 13, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2016

LH AND RH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A ELECTRICAL HEADLIGHT FIRE FROM THE EXPOSED BARE WIRES.

NHTSA ID
10825205
Incident
Nov 10, 2015
Mileage
84,089 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 2, 2015

MY PROBLEM STARTED 2 YEARS AGO. AFTER TWO DAYS OF VERY HEAVY RAIN I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND MY NAVIGATION SCREEN STARTED TO FLICKER THEN EVENTUALLY BURNED OUT OVER A TWO WEEK TIME ALSO MY RADIO STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I DIDN'T HAVE THE 2,000 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. A FEW MONTHS LATER AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF HEAVY RAIN I'VE NOTICED THE DRIVERS FLOOR SOAKED THEN THE CAR WAS HESITANT TO START. THE CAR OVER ANOTHER FEW MONTHS MY WIPERS WOULD CUT ON BY THEMSELVES AND I COULDN'T CUT THEM OFF. IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE WIPERS WERE STILL WORKING WITH NO KEY IN THE CAR... THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANICS.. NOW MY WINDOW WORK INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T ...AT THIS TIME I ALSO SMELL THE ODOR OF A BURNING ELECTRICAL FROM TIME TO TIME.

NHTSA ID
10787870
Incident
Mar 20, 2015
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID
10758825
Incident
Aug 23, 2015
Mileage
126,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 16, 2015

VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING A STEERING WHEEL LOCK. A RED WARNING LIGHT WITH A LOCK SYMBOL (UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER) IS ON THE PANEL DISPLAY. THIS IS VERY ALARMING AND DISTRACTING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL IMPACT THE ACTUAL STEERING. SO FAR THE VEHICLE DOES START UP AND RUNS NORMALLY, BUT THE INDICATOR IS CONSTANTLY ON. I REVIEWED SOME OF THE ONLINE FORUMS AND SOME SUGGEST THAT THIS FAULT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO NOT START. MY DAUGHTER IS THE ONE NORMALLY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE GOING TO ASSIST TO GET HER ANOTHER VEHICLE, SINCE I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ONE IS SAFE.

NHTSA ID
10748947
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Mileage
120,455 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V5640200 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INFORMED CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PART BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10596450
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 23, 2014

I HAD AN ON & OFF ISSUE SINCE LAST WEEK OF THIS YEAR ABOUT THE AIRBAG & SEATBELT WARNING BEING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD & OVERHEAD CONSOLE OF MY 2007 BMW 530 XI. IT WILL STAY ON FOR A WHILE AS I START THE CAR BUT WILL TURN OFF BY ITSELF AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. NOW SINCE LAST WEEK THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. THE IDRIVE SCREEN SHOWS " PASS. RESTRAINTS SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINTS SYSTEM AFFECTING THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SEATBELT. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY BMW SERVICE CENTER". I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE & FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. I CALLED BMW OF TENAFLY AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE I'M HAVING ON MY VEHICLE BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THE VIN# OF MY CAR IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT FALLS INTO THE SAME CATEGORY OF MAKE, MODEL & YEAR OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT AND DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593738
Incident
May 13, 2014
Mileage
63,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 1, 2013

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING COMES ON SAYING THE AIR BAG IS IN DEFECT, THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING BUT WEAR SEAT BELT FOR SAFETY ANYWAY. MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WAS MADE WITH DEFECTIVE FAULTS, SINCE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BROADER RECALL THAN THEY THOUGHT!! MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546369
Incident
Sep 23, 2013
Mileage
64,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B660523

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; LANE DEPARTURE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

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 cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 5 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2012100131.2
2011814046.7
2010650—
2009840—
20081054048.3
2007Viewing134039.7
2006858255.9
2005215258.8
2004648158.9
2003152049.5
2002720—
2001320—
2000220—
1999210—
1998021—
1997131—
1996030—
1995330—
1994030—
1993030—
1992030—
1991020—
1990020—
1989120—
1988000—
1987000—
1986000—
1985000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.