2007 BMW 5 Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 BMW 5 Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags628.6%
- Seat belts523.8%
- Electrical314.3%
- Steering29.5%
- Interior & seats14.8%
- Exterior lighting14.8%
- Powertrain (other)14.8%
- Engine14.8%
- Brakes14.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LH AND RH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A ELECTRICAL HEADLIGHT FIRE FROM THE EXPOSED BARE WIRES.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AIRBAG/SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT SHOW UP BECAUSE THE MAT SENSOR UNDER PASSENAGE SEAT IS BROKEN BY NORMAL USE. BMW REFUSE TO HONOR THE FREE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE AROUND $1300 FOR THE REPAIR THE SAFTY ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
LH AND RH ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A ELECTRICAL HEADLIGHT FIRE FROM THE EXPOSED BARE WIRES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPORTED ENGINE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AT THE TIME REPORTED) AND WAS ADVISED BY BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, REPAIRS EXCEED $1000. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC'S ADVICE THAT IF TRANSMISSION GOES UNREPAIRED, RISK TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND NO LONGER DRIVABLE. BMW IS AWARE OF LATENT DEFECT AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE, SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. BMW SHOULD ALSO BE CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. TRANSMISSION FLUID RELEASES TOXINS THAT WHEN LEACHED INTO GROUNDWATER, REALSEASES CONTAMINATES INTO SOIL AND WATER, AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO ECOSYSTEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPORTED ENGINE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUIDS (LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AT THE TIME REPORTED) AND WAS ADVISED BY BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, REPAIRS EXCEED $1000. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC'S ADVICE THAT IF TRANSMISSION GOES UNREPAIRED, RISK TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP AND NO LONGER DRIVABLE. BMW IS AWARE OF LATENT DEFECT AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE, SHOULD MAKE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. BMW SHOULD ALSO BE CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. TRANSMISSION FLUID RELEASES TOXINS THAT WHEN LEACHED INTO GROUNDWATER, REALSEASES CONTAMINATES INTO SOIL AND WATER, AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO ECOSYSTEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .