2007 BMW 7 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 7 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
- Electrical318.8%
- Interior & seats318.8%
- Airbags318.8%
- Body & structure212.5%
- Powertrain (other)16.3%
- Suspension16.3%
- Driver assistance16.3%
- Engine16.3%
- Fuel system16.3%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SEAT MAT SENSOR. FAULT FOR DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL HAS THE ERROR AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS NOT ALSO COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE OR LATCH. THE DOOR HAD TO BE 'ZIP TIED' TO REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS COMFORT ACCESS AND SOFT CLOSE DOORS. I FIND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ACTUATOR FAILS THAT THE DOOR CANNOT BE CLOSED AT ALL.
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
2007 BMW 7 SERIES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DOOR LATCH SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THE DRIVER ALMOST FELL OUT. THE DOOR HAD TO BE HELD WHILE DRIVING, AS TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING AGAIN. UPDATED 10/24/2017*JS
RECEIVED THIS FAULT - '"DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT." BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER FAULT.' THE MAT SEAT SENSOR SEEMS TO HAVE PREMATURELY WORN OUT. JUST LIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE MAT THAT WAS RECALLED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WARNING STATES FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER THIS WARNING ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ON 9/30/2018. THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO COLLISIONS.
SYSTEM AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON INSIDE THE CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND REMAINED ON. MESSAGE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BEING THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAT AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM WITH BMW AND CERTAIN MODELS OF THERE CARS AND I SHOULD CHECK INTO A POSSIBLE RECALL IN THIS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE OR LATCH. THE DOOR HAD TO BE 'ZIP TIED' TO REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS COMFORT ACCESS AND SOFT CLOSE DOORS. I FIND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ACTUATOR FAILS THAT THE DOOR CANNOT BE CLOSED AT ALL.
THE RIGHT/PASSENGER FRONT DOOR DOES NOT STAY SHUT. IT WILL NOT LOCK, IT WILL NOT LATCH. IT APPEARS THAT THE ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND NOT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
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
A HUGE BANG/CLUNK WHICH FEELS LIKE ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. VERY FREIGHTING THAT CAUSES DRIVER PANIC! THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIME OVER THE PAST YEARS. DEALER REPORTS NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WRONG. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 11-19-2017 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROADWAY. MY PASSENGER CAR DOOR SUDDENLY OPENED AND TO AVOID ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY PASSENGER I ABRUPTLY TURN MY VEHICLE TO A SAFER POSITION. NO SOON AFTER THAT I NOTICE MY VEHICLE LEVELING WARNING SIGN APPEAR ON THE DASH. WITH RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT OPENING DOOR LINKED UP TO RECALL ON THE NHTSA. I PROCEEDED TO CALL BMW FOR THE FIX. NOT KNOWING THE MECHANICS OF THE VEHICLE, I ASSUMED THIS FIX WILL FIX THE DOOR LOCK AND THE LEVELING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I GOT THE DOOR FIXED BUT THE LEVELING PROBLEM GOT EVEN WORSE AFTER THE LOCK GOT FIXED. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON 12-23-2017. TTHE LEVELING IS A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ISSUE EXISTS WITH THESE CARS AND I WOULD LIKE A REMEDY FOR MY SITUATION. I CONTACTED BMW, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS A RECALL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 11-19-2017 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROADWAY. MY PASSENGER CAR DOOR SUDDENLY OPENED AND TO AVOID ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY PASSENGER I ABRUPTLY TURN MY VEHICLE TO A SAFER POSITION. NO SOON AFTER THAT I NOTICE MY VEHICLE LEVELING WARNING SIGN APPEAR ON THE DASH. WITH RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT OPENING DOOR LINKED UP TO RECALL ON THE NHTSA. I PROCEEDED TO CALL BMW FOR THE FIX. NOT KNOWING THE MECHANICS OF THE VEHICLE, I ASSUMED THIS FIX WILL FIX THE DOOR LOCK AND THE LEVELING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I GOT THE DOOR FIXED BUT THE LEVELING PROBLEM GOT EVEN WORSE AFTER THE LOCK GOT FIXED. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON 12-23-2017. TTHE LEVELING IS A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ISSUE EXISTS WITH THESE CARS AND I WOULD LIKE A REMEDY FOR MY SITUATION. I CONTACTED BMW, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS A RECALL.
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
THE OIL COOLER ADAPTER PLATE IS DEFECTIVE THE O RING IS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKS OIL ALL OVER EVERYTHING INCLUDING WIRES. IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T HAVE AN EXTERNAL OIL COOLER, THE PLATE, WITH THE O RING SEAL WILL LEAK OIL. THE OTHER SIDE HAS TWO HOLES THAT CAN BE MACHINED FOR THE EXTERNAL OIL COOLER, BUT IF YOUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE THAT FEATURE YOU WILL HAVE OIL LEAKS. COMMON OIL LEAK ON THE V8 N62 AND N62TU ENGINES THAT WOULD BE IN THE E65 7 SERIES AND THE X5 E53. THIS IS THE BEARING BLOCK WHERE THE ALTERNATOR MOUNTS TO. THERE IS A GASKET THAT DEVELOPS A BAD LEAK BECAUSE OF THE SEAL FAILING. THE SEAL HAS NO USE TO THE ENGINE IT IS JUST THERE JUST IN CASE IF YOU GET THE OIL COOLING OPTION AND IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GET THE OPTION YOUR CAR WILL LEAK OIL BECAUSE THE SEAL IS NOT SUBSTANTIAL AND THE OIL HAS NO WHERE TO GO, SO IT LEAKS OUT OF THE GASKET. THE LEAK CAN BE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TROUBLE FILLING GAS TANK, VERY VERY SLOW FILL WITH MULTIPLE OVERFLOW INCLUDING GAS SPILLAGE. GAS ATTENDANT STATED THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
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 .