Makes›BMW›X3›2007

2007 BMW X3

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2007 models.

BMW X3
Pictured: BMW X3 M (G01) FL IAA 2021 1X7A0001. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD 3.0i/3.0si
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Horsepower
255 hp
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
Length
179.9 in
Curb weight
4,068 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 20 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2007 SUV - (17.4 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints165 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 14 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2007 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2007 BMW X3 is a SUV - offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,068 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 15% better than the 2007 SUV - average of 17.4 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2007

  • Best combined MPG up from 18 to 20

Compared with 2006; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2006 X3 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine255 hp3.0L 6-cyl

Trims

3.0si

Built in: Graz, Austria

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2007 X3 configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD 3.0i/3.0si179.9 in72.8 in65.7 in109.8 in58.7 / 59.8 in4,068 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
X3 3.0i3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20+15%$4,100444
X3 3.0si3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20+15%$4,100444
X3 3.0i3.0L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19+9%$4,350468
X3 3.0si3.0L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19+9%$4,350468
Spend $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.4 MPG2007 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2007 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2007 BMW X3 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2007 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2007 BMW X3 (this car)20 MPGNot rated5
2007 Mercedes-Benz G-Class13 MPGNot rated0
2007 Porsche Cayenne16 MPGNot rated0
2007 Lexus RX26 MPGNot rated3
2007 Volvo XC9018 MPGNot rated1
2007 Lexus GX15 MPGNot rated0
2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class20 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (5)

Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) · Mar 2, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles

Problem
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 (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix
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 charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 15, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) · Oct 30, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V683000 · 740,561 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Sep 28, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V605000 · 85,302 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. 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.
Risk
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2007 BMW X3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

165Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
18Involved a fire
16Injuries reported
108,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags71
Engine36
Seats31
Electrical System18
Engine And Engine Cooling14
Unknown Or Other12
Power Train7
Suspension3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/10: 120/11: 121/09: 121/11: 121/12: 122/01: 122/03: 122/04: 322/05: 122/06: 122/08: 322/09: 322/11: 222/12: 223/02: 323/03: 123/04: 123/05: 123/09: 123/10: 123/11: 124/01: 125/07: 125/08: 120/1021/1122/0322/0622/1123/0323/0924/01max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2007 BMW X3 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 71 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 36 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Seats — 31 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 108,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2007 BMW X3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other X3 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 X329187.4 inNot rated222
2025 X329187.4 in★★★★★938
2024 X325185.4 in★★★★★342
2023 X325185.4 in★★★★★415
2022 X325185.4 in★★★★★784
2021 X327185.4 in★★★★★10113
2020 X327185.4 in★★★★★16110
2019 X326185.4 in★★★★★10171
2018 X325185.4 inNot rated1176
2017 X324183.1 inNot rated692
2016 X330183.1 inNot rated582
2015 X330183.1 inNot rated7104

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →