Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
725–50K
850–75K
1175–100K
11100–150K
7150K+
48 reports with mileage · 19 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports8 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
67 reports
82,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Air BagsSteering
HAVE RESEARCHED NUMEROUS FORUMS REGARDING CAR ISSUES. "PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION" ALARM APPEARS ON IDRIVE WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH BOARD. READS THAT PARTS OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAVE FAILED OR ARE FAULTY. FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY, ALONG WITH OT…
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HAVE RESEARCHED NUMEROUS FORUMS REGARDING CAR ISSUES. "PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION" ALARM APPEARS ON IDRIVE WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH BOARD. READS THAT PARTS OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAVE FAILED OR ARE FAULTY. FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY, ALONG WITH OTHER PASSIVE RESTRAINT DEVICES. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS FROM BMW REGARDING RECALL ISSUE, BUT DISCOVERED RECENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR MODEL/YEAR. AM AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT EVALUATED, WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED IF DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. "STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION" ON IDRIVE. LIGHT ILLUMINATED RECENTLY AND CONTINUES TO STAY ON. CAN CURRENTLY START AND RUN MY CAR, ALONG WITH TURN STEERING WHEEL AND HEAR THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCK WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. ALSO RESEARCHED ON BMW FORUMS, KNOWN TO MANY 3/5/6 SERIES IN MY YEAR OF PRODUCTION HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES IN EUROPE AND USA. NO RECALL FROM BMW ON THIS ALSO? WILL ALSO NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AS IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART FOR THE MODEL YEAR BY BMW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594723
89,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
DSC AND AWD LIGHTS COME UP INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPORTED FAILURE IN STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. CHECKED IN FORUMS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR ALL E60 BMW CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584636
75,000 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure
I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR T…
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I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF ALL BUT A SKILLED MECHANIC WITH PROPER TOOLS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE BROKEN WIRE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555374
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON 2008+ 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I RECENTLY EXPEREINCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL NOTICE ON MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS; HOWEVER MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL. THE I-DRIVE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ALERT THAT A BULB IS OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT BUT IT WOULD GO OUT AGAIN. …
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I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON 2008+ 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I RECENTLY EXPEREINCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL NOTICE ON MY REAR TAIL LIGHTS; HOWEVER MY CAR IS A 2007 MODEL. THE I-DRIVE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ALERT THAT A BULB IS OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT BUT IT WOULD GO OUT AGAIN. I INSPECTED THE BULB CARRIER AND BULB SOCKET AND NOTICED SEVERLY BURNED CONTACT AREA'S WHERE ONE OF THE BULB SOCKETS PLUG IN. THE RECALL CLEARLY IS FOR SEDANS 2008+ BUT I SEEM TO HAVE THE EXACT ISSUE AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES (SEE 5SERIES.NET FORUM WEBSITE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10553350
70,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE WATER PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE WATER PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514468
42,000 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
STEERING ANGLE SENSOR PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480671
77,000 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Power Train
VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN 2007 BMW 530 XI IS TRANSMISSION GASKET LEAK AND I CAME TO KNOW FROM WEB THIS IS HAPPENED TO MANY VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480670
86,000 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Engine
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD TO WAIT A LIL WHILE BEFORE STATED BACK UP THEN HE OVERHEATED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT COULD OFF CAUSE A FIRE. BUT AFTER REVIEW OF THE KEY DATA HE REALIZED THAT NO SERVICE WAS OVERDUE AND ASK ME TO LET THE CAR FOR THE WEEK END . I'M STILL WAIT…
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THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD TO WAIT A LIL WHILE BEFORE STATED BACK UP THEN HE OVERHEATED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT COULD OFF CAUSE A FIRE. BUT AFTER REVIEW OF THE KEY DATA HE REALIZED THAT NO SERVICE WAS OVERDUE AND ASK ME TO LET THE CAR FOR THE WEEK END . I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND DON'T KNOW IF THIS MALFUNCTION IS COVER BY A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471451
9,065 miles · Jul 25, 2012
Steering
AWD AND DSC MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE .AWD AND DSC HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. LIMITED DRIVING STABILITY. DRIVE MODERATELY. STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467638
49,890 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes
THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING STARTED ON JUNE 18, 2012, WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVERS? SIDE EVERY TIME I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE CLICKING SOUND ONLY OCCURRED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND WAS ONLY HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ON JUNE 19, 2012, I DECIDED TO VISIT THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT …
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THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING STARTED ON JUNE 18, 2012, WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVERS? SIDE EVERY TIME I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE CLICKING SOUND ONLY OCCURRED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND WAS ONLY HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ON JUNE 19, 2012, I DECIDED TO VISIT THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS CLICKING MY 530XI HAD. AT THIS TIME, NO ERROR MESSAGES WERE PRESENT ON THE IDRIVE SYSTEM. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT DAY, SO I DECIDED I WOULD RETURN THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON IT. ON MY WAY HOME (1.5 MILE DRIVE), I HAD THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE ON MY IDRIVE SYSTEM ?AWD, DSC, ABS, AND EMERG EBV? THIS HAD ME VERY WORRIED, AND I STARTED RESEARCHING IF OTHER BMW OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL BMW OWNERS, THEY POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST, AND THAT THE PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD INVOLVED A DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR (BMW PART 27-10-7-546-671). ON JUNE 20, 2012, I AGAIN VISITED THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN ON MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AS A DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR MOTOR. *TT
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2007 BMW 530XI Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year