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2007 BMW X3: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 258 owner complaints on file for the 2007 BMW X3, more than for any other X3 model year in our data[1][2]. It also has 5 recalls, and the newest one still has no remedy available[3][2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of these, 29 mention a fire, 27 mention injuries, 8 mention a crash, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
The four largest groups by complaint count:
| Component group | Complaints | Fires | Injuries | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags[5] | 78 | 1 | 6 | 95,500 |
| Engine[6] | 60 | 5 | 0 | 94,258 |
| Seats[7] | 55 | 20 | 16 | 95,000 |
| Power train[8] | 52 | 0 | 0 | 16,750 |
Smaller groups include electrical system with 31 complaints[9], unknown or other with 13[10], speed control with 8[11] and steering with 5[12].
We also read a small sample of complaint texts for each of the four big groups. This is not a count of all owners.
- Seats. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, all 12 describe a seat heater overheating, and most name the driver seat[7]. Owners describe smoke, a burned hole in the leather, and burns to clothing or skin[7].
- Engine. In a sample of 12, 9 describe engine mount bolts that were sheared or broken[6]. Some owners describe a cracked water pump or a coolant leak after that[6].
- Power train. In a sample of 12, all 12 describe hesitation when accelerating from a stop or shifting that feels rough or erratic[8]. Several owners say dealer software updates did not solve it[8].
- Air bags. In a sample of 12, 7 describe an air bag warning light or a fault with the passenger seat sensor[5]. Two others describe waiting for recall parts[5].
The power train median of 16,750 miles is much lower than the other three groups[5][6][7][8].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- PCV valve heater (22V119), March 2, 2022[3]. The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit and overheat. A short circuit can overheat the heater, so a fire could start while you drive or shortly after you park. The recall replaces and expands earlier recalls 17V683 and 19V-273[3], and cars already repaired under those will need to come back. The remedy is still being developed, so no fix is available yet. Dealers will fit a wiring harness with fuse protection, free of charge, once it is ready[3].
- Driver air bag inflator (20V017), January 15, 2020[13]. Some cars have replacement inflators that were used as a temporary fix in earlier Takata recalls. They can explode after long exposure to humidity and heat, and metal fragments could cause serious injury or death. Dealers replace the driver air bag, and repairs cost the owner nothing. The recall started on March 11, 2020[13].
- PCV valve heater (17V683), October 30, 2017[14]. The same heater can short circuit and melt parts inside the valve, which raises fire risk even when the car is off. The remedy was a new heater, free of charge[14]. Recall 22V119 now supersedes it[3].
- Passenger seat occupant mat (17V605), September 28, 2017[15]. The mat that tells the car whether to fire the passenger air bag can crack and fail. If it fails, the passenger air bag would be switched off in a crash. Dealers replace the mat free of charge. BMW said a second letter would be sent when parts are available[15].
- Driver air bag inflator (16V071), February 5, 2016[16]. The inflator can rupture when the air bag deploys, sending metal fragments toward the driver or passengers. Dealers replace the module or inflator at no cost to the owner. The recall started on March 9, 2018[16].
Recall 22V119 lists the X3 3.0si, and 20V017 lists the X3 30si[3][13]. Check your own VIN on NHTSA's recall site to see which recalls are open on your car.
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions of the 2007 X3, all with a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, premium fuel and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive[17][4][18][19].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| X3 3.0i, Manual 6-spd[17] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 |
| X3 3.0i, Automatic (S6)[4] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 |
| X3 3.0si, Manual 6-spd[18] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 |
| X3 3.0si, Automatic (S6)[19] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 |
EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
The 2007 X3 is not rated in NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings[20].
Engine and size
The EPA listings show a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[17][4][18][19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[21].
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 180 in |
| Width | 73 in |
| Height | 66 in |
| Wheelbase | 110 in |
| Curb weight | 4,068 lb |
These figures are for the X3 4DR SUV AWD 3.0i/3.0si[21].
How 2007 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 138 | 1 |
| 2005 | 103 | 1 |
| 2006 | 143 | 2 |
| 2007 | 258 | 5 |
| 2008 | 122 | 5 |
| 2009 | 35 | 5 |
| 2010 | 55 | 7 |
| 2011 | 126 | 5 |
| 2012 | 48 | 2 |
| 2013 | 226 | 7 |
| 2014 | 86 | 6 |
| 2015 | 105 | 7 |
| 2016 | 82 | 5 |
| 2017 | 92 | 6 |
| 2018 | 76 | 11 |
| 2019 | 171 | 10 |
| 2020 | 110 | 16 |
| 2021 | 113 | 10 |
| 2022 | 83 | 7 |
| 2023 | 15 | 4 |
| 2024 | 42 | 3 |
| 2025 | 38 | 9 |
| 2026 | 21 | 2 |
With 258 complaints, 2007 is the highest of all X3 model years from 2004 to 2026[2]. The next highest are 2013 with 226 and 2019 with 171[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough signal.
On recalls, 2007 has 5[2]. Several years have more, including 2010 with 7, 2018 with 11 and 2020 with 16[2]. Earlier years had fewer complaints, with 143 for 2006 and 103 for 2005[2].
Should you buy a used 2007 X3?
This model year has the highest complaint count of any X3 year in our data, and five recalls, one of them without a remedy yet[1][2][3]. Run the VIN for open recalls before you buy, and ask whether the driver air bag and passenger seat mat work were done[13][15][16]. In the complaints we read, owners describe seat heater burns, broken engine mount bolts and shifting hesitation, so ask for the seat heater and engine mount to be inspected[7][6][8]. These notes come from a small sample, so treat them as things to check and not as a prediction for any one car, and our data does not cover repair costs or reliability ratings.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 BMW X3?
- Air bags have the most complaints at 78, followed by engine at 60, seats at 55 and power train at 52[5][6][7][8]. In a sample of complaint texts, owners describe seat heater burns, sheared engine mount bolts, shifting hesitation and air bag warning lights.
- How many recalls does the 2007 BMW X3 have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls: 22V119, 20V017, 17V683, 17V605 and 16V071[3][13][14][15][16]. The remedy for 22V119 is still being developed[3].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2007 BMW X3?
- EPA lists 19 MPG combined for the manual and 20 MPG combined for the automatic[17][4]. Both use premium fuel[17][4][18][19].
- Is the 2007 BMW X3 the worst X3 year?
- It has the most NHTSA complaints of the X3 years listed, with 258 versus 226 for 2013[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.
- Did the 2007 BMW X3 get a NHTSA safety rating?
- No. It is listed as not rated in the 5-Star Safety Ratings[20].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 258 owner complaints on file for the 2007 BMW X3 (8 mention a crash, 29 a fire, 27 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V119, filed March 2, 2022: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X3 3.0i, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 78 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 60 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,258). NHTSA vehicle records
- 55 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 20 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 9 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V017, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V683, filed October 30, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V605, filed September 28, 2017: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V071, filed February 5, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X3 3.0i, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for X3 3.0si, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for X3 3.0si, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X3 4DR SUV AWD 3.0i/3.0si: length 180 in, width 73 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,068 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov