Most common 2007 BMW 5 Series problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 5 Series complaints by model year
Best 5 Series years: 2002, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2008, 2011, 2006, 2004. Compare all years →
2007 BMW 5 Series recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
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…
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…
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
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.
What 2007 BMW 5 Series owners say
Air bags
I had an on & off issue since last week of this year about the airbag & seatbelt warning being illuminated on the dashboard & overhead console of my 2007 BMW 530 xi. It will stay on for a while as I start the car but will turn off by itself after driving a few miles. Now since last week the warning light stays on. The idrive screen shows " pass. Restraints system fault in passenger-restraints system affecting the airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Continue to wear the seatbelt. Have the system checked by BMW service center". I did some research online about this issue & found out that there is recall NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000. …
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.
Seat belts
I had an on & off issue since last week of this year about the airbag & seatbelt warning being illuminated on the dashboard & overhead console of my 2007 BMW 530 xi. It will stay on for a while as I start the car but will turn off by itself after driving a few miles. Now since last week the warning light stays on. The idrive screen shows " pass. Restraints system fault in passenger-restraints system affecting the airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Continue to wear the seatbelt. Have the system checked by BMW service center". I did some research online about this issue & found out that there is recall NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000. …
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.
Electrical system
My problem started 2 years ago. After two days of very heavy rain I started my vehicle and my navigation screen started to flicker then eventually burned out over a two week time also my radio stopped working at the same time. I didn't have the 2,000 dollars to get it fixed. A few months later after several days of heavy rain I've noticed the drivers floor soaked then the car was hesitant to start. The car over another few months my wipers would cut on by themselves and I couldn't cut them off. It got to the point that I turned the car off and the wipers were still working with no key in the car... The car had to be towed to the mechanics.. Now my window work intermittently sometimes they work and sometimes they don't ...at this time I also smell the odor of a burning electrical from time to time.
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.
2007 BMW 5 Series engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 28 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2007 BMW 5 Series a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 5 Series rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 5 Series at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2007 BMW 5 Series?
The air bags — 6 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › sensor/control module. Next are the seat belts (5) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2007 BMW 5 Series have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2007 BMW 5 Series, the most recent from March 2, 2022 (crankcase (pcv)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 5 Series?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2011, 2006 and 2004. See the full BMW 5 Series years comparison.
At what mileage do 2007 BMW 5 Series problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.