Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 BMW 3 Series owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I've owned a 2000 and 2007 BMW 3 Series and a 2010 x6 all with airbag recalls but I don't own any of these vehicles anymore. As a matter of fact I hit a curb and my drivers airbag broke my facial bones with just hitting a curb and was totaled out. Would I qualify for compensation through this large recall? And what info would I need?
Passenger airbag restraint failure - BMW's, in particular 3 Series and e90 models, have a known and common failure where the seat based electrical mat fails in the passenger seats. This is not related to wear and tear as the seats often go unused but simply fail after a certain period of time. The error causes the passenger side airbag to default to always on, which can cause injury or death to children or small passengers in that seat. The cost to repair this is usually $200 for parts and $400 for labor which means many drivers simply don't fix it creating a vulnerability. The issue has been recurring with bmws for several generations and across model types and should be addressed by the manufacturer as its a poorly made part and set up. There are numerous documented cases on BMW forums and a partial recall for some models was implemented. …
Both puget sound area dealers were totally indifferent about life treating recall notices, upon calling in in mid 2017' I was asked what recalls are you calling about and both did not give any in formation when I said I heard there was a recall. Nothing we can do to help you now check back later I was told. In November when I called back I was again greeted with surprise that that there was a recall at seattle dealership and asked me to be specific on a exact recall that maybe in effect. After giving exacte required detailed recall info on this life treating defective recalli was told they don't have any parts and to check back next year! Where the hell is the washington state attorney general? This is a disgrace and BMW in my view should be spender from selling cars in washington state until they make this right. …
For over a year now the airbag light on the dashboard has been going on and off. Originally, it was only turning on when I had a passenger in the front seat. Now it turns on with or without a person so I'm starting to think that the drivers side is malfunctioning too. In additional the seatbelt light is turning on too now. This is very frustrating. I talked to the dealership and they indicated that it is the airbag and seat sensors that have malfunctioned. Each to fix is over $500. They also indicated that this is a common problem for owners and to wait for a supposably recall letter. However, that was a year ago and I now have the airbag and seatbelt light going off. I've also come across many BMW forums (owners) talking about their frustration with these same issues. It's surprising that the dealerships acknowledge the issue but yet nothing is being resolved. …
2 complaints: 1st complaint addresses "Takata recall" dated feb. 5, 2016 recall campaign no.16v-071 driver's front air bag. Service center "otto's" in west chester, pa still has not received the parts going on 2yrs. * 2nd complaint engine shut off while driving (55mph) on a busy interstate highway during heavy traffic with no warning the engine just shut off- no power! . It was a humid summer (July) morning BMW fault could have killed many, a very dangerous public safety hazard. I was stranded for hours unable to drive BMW. *adding insult to injury the high humidity could have set-off the airbag fault unresolved by BMW 18 months & counting. Otto's service center wanted almost $4K to repair plus an additional hefty sum under advisement for repairs to repair the work they completed less than a year ago (>$3K) for engine leaking oil - car over-heating
The front passenger occupancy sensor in the seat mat has malfunctioned which produces a fault in the passive restraint system preventing the passenger side air bag from deploying in an event of an accident. This malfunction occurs when the vehicle is stationary, in motion, on a city street, on a highway, and when turning. There is no damage or excessive wear and tear to the passenger seat. The passenger seat was used normally and as intended by the manufacturer. I believe the seat mat was not designed to withstand normal usage of people sitting on it. Over time the sensor in the seat mat failed and poses a serious safety issue for the vehicle's front passenger since the air bag May not deploy during a collision.
Tl contact owns a 2007 BMW 328xi. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact crashed into a telephone pole due to inclement weather and icy conditions. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. She asked the manufacturer at what speed the air bags should have deployed; however, they stated that it was an issue for the legal department. At that time, the vehicle was being investigated by a mechanic. The current and failure mileages were approximately 19,000.
Many months ago a recall was issued for 2007 BMW 3281i cars. Nothing happened. This spring (2016) I contacted the dealer, who said it had heard nothing from BMW. Is NHTSA monitoring BMW? If not, why not? It's not beyond the realm for both parties to hope that the issue will be forgotten about and it will go away. My dealer is BMW of fairfax, virginia. Both dealer and distributor need to be told to move forward with the recall.
Front passenger seat occupant detection mat. My 2007 BMW 328xi airbag light came on so I took it to the dealer and they told me there was a recall on my model car from 2006 up, but that my VIN# is not part of that recall even though all symptom and issue was the same. I think this should be included as the sensor mat is the same issue as noted in this recall us NHTSA campaign id:13V564000
Passenger seat mat sensor has gone bad. This is the same type of recall as the Takata recall but BMW says that this car isn't covered for that recall. Recall cost over $1000.00 to repair for a airbag safety issue. Seems to extremely common in BMW's. Took car to BMW dealership and they confirmed the issue with the car. Spoke to bmwusa directly and they won't cover repair.
Airbag complaints in other 3 Series years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 BMW 3 Series?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 BMW 3 Series, 30% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 BMW 3 Series airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2007 BMW 3 Series, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 BMW 3 Series airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.