2007 BMW 5 Series: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Lh and rh adaptive headlights wiring insulation is crumbling possibly resulting in a electrical headlight fire from the exposed bare wires.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 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.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2015
Show 6 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2014
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2013
“Vehicle keeps saying passenger restraint malfunction. Passenger air bag will not deploy in an event of an accident. There was a recall for the year 2004-2006 models, for the same reason (passenger restraint malfunction). The recall does not cover the 2007, 2008, 2009 model. The car has never been in an accident, and I feel like if it does, my passenger air bag should deploy when there is a body occupying that seat. The car says the passenger air bag will not deploy when an accident occurs, this is a serious defect. This should not be a problem in any vehicle, let alone a bmw. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2012
“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”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2011
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2011
“Not precisely sure what is causing this electrical problem, but all 3 occurrences of this problem have happened after I washed the vehicle and did not drive it. The electrical system is malfunctioning to the point it completely drains the vehicle's battery. After the second time I went to start the vehicle, I had the battery replaced. The 3rd time, all of the vehicle exterior lights had turned themselves on during the course of the night, and had almost fully discharged the battery. The car started, but many items in the electronic memory were lost, including date and time. The car involved is a 2007 bmw 528i, which I purchased 3 months ago, certified pre-owned. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2009
Recalls - 4 campaigns
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 5 Series by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2007 BMW 5 Series reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 BMW 5 Series. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2007 BMW 5 Series have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.