2007 BMW 328i Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Alternator/generator/regulator
  2
• Instrument cluster/panel
  1
• Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
  1
• Wiring › Interior/under dash
  1
• Wiring › Front underhood
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  11%
• 25k–50k
  1112%
• 50k–75k
  2325%
• 75k–100k
  1415%
• 100k–150k
  3740%
• 150k+
  67%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 BMW 328i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50- 55 mph, the vehicle caught fire. There was an abnormal burning odor detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to use her fire extinguisher and extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, police reports filed, or air bag deployments. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed her that the battery pack wiring had melted. and the PCV and wiring needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis regarding the electrical panel was provided. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 149, 000.

Hello I contacted bmw about a recall on my vehicle and made an appointment the gentleman I spoke with at first did the whole recall appointment. He wasn't there on the day of and the other technician refused to conduct the recall repair and very rudely said to me you either pay $500 for diagnosing or you come pick up your car now otherwise I will charge you $200 daily storage he said the car didn't start I told him yes of course is due to that recall which caused a meltdown leading to smoke coming in from the vents cutting all power to car . This guy refused to understand the situation and was really rude he said I have til the end of today to pick up the car and he disregard my appointment and refuse to fix it. So I call my AAA tow truck to pick up my vehicle and the refused to release it so now my car isn't getting fixed and it's being hold hostage

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong burning odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the blower motor became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he had personally replaced the blower motor. The contact stated that while servicing the vehicle, he noticed that the wiring underneath the footwell had melted. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System); however, the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact that he had to pay for the diagnostic test and the repairs. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

Defective Professional Grade Radio. When you first start the vehicle the radio works fine. After driving the vehicle 30 minutes or so the digital display on the radio goes blank ( Cannot read the display). The radio is connected to the digital display underneath the speed odometer. So it's untelling what all might happen if the radio issue is not resolved. It could Possibly cause the vehicle to not start or short out and cause a fire. Me personally, I would just recall it and upgrade it to digital Navi. System.(radio is included). This days time everything is digital.

we have taken the car to the dealership for the recall and was told they do not have the parts and also wouldn't know how to fix it. every time the car turns on, you can smell the melting of the plastic. it smells bad and am worried every time im driving about a fire. before the recall came out, we had asked about the unknown smell of something burning and was told it was "normal"

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2007 BMW 328i and my recent experience attempting to have an active safety recall addressed by an authorized BMW dealership. My vehicle has an active safety recall involving the vehicle's power supply system/positive battery cable connection. The vehicle has also been experiencing intermittent electrical power issues, which makes addressing this recall particularly important from a safety standpoint. I brought my vehicle to the dealership specifically to have the recall inspected and repaired. However, I was informed that the dealership would not replace the recall-related part because the vehicle has a salvage title. I am concerned because this is a safety-related recall, and the dealership's refusal prevented me from having the recalled component properly inspected and, if necessary, replaced. …

Just finished driving about 10 miles from home to work, about 70 degrees-f outside, sunny, good weather around 11 am. Did not operate air conditioner, heater or vent fan. Car seemed to drive fine, no strange noises. Had no recent major repairs. We are second owners of certified pre-owned BMW, have had vehicle for the past 7 years and driven about 50K miles since purchase. After arriving at workplace, stopped at workplace parking lot with engine idling for a few seconds to wait for parking gate to open. However, began seeing white smoke coming out of driver's side of engine hood. Tried to reverse the vehicle out to the street and moved about 10ft before engine shut off and would not restart. Within 15-30 seconds a plume of fire erupted out of the front hood through the grill. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2007 BMW 328i. While driving with the cruise control set at 75 MPH and the heater at 70 degrees, there was an abnormal popping noise and a flash of light underneath the passenger side dashboard. The passenger air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and shifted the gear to the park position. Additionally, the contact smelled smoke inside the vehicle. Upon exiting and re-entering the vehicle, the cabin filled up with smoke and spontaneously caught fire. A police report was not filed. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow facility. The contact called BMW of concord (1967 market st, concord, ca 94520), but no further instructions were provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact was alerted by hospital staff that the vehicle was on fire. Upon leaving to confirm the failure, the contact noticed that the fire department had extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000(electrical system); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Grayson BMW (10671 parkside dr, knoxville, tn) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact was not offered any additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. While the contact was attempting to start the vehicle, it lost all electrical power. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer (hendrick BMW north lake, 10720 north lake auto plaza blvd, charlotte, nc 28269). The dealer diagnosed that the distribution box had overheated and melted, which would be an out of pocket expense for the contact. The manufacturer was notified and stated that even though the vehicle was a 2007, it was manufactured in December of 2006. As a result, the vehicle was not eiligible to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V044000 (electrical system). The manufacturer continued to state that even though it was two months outside of the recall eligibility date, they still would not honor it if it had just been one day outside of the timeframe. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 156,000. …

Related recalls

Electrical complaints in other 328i years