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Exterior lightingPart report

2007 BMW 530XI Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
10%of 67 total for the year
Median mileage
75,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2007 BMW 530XI, 10% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10555374, filed 2013-12, 75,000 miles

“My headlight was emitting smoke, upon closer investigation I can see the wires were red hot and the plastic coating was on fire, no apparent reason is know for the cause of this incident.”

NHTSA complaint #10713000, filed 2015-04, 139,901 miles

“I am contacting you in an attempt to obtain assistance / remedy in the repair of a burned outer tail lamp socket in my 2007 530xit. I am the original owner of this vehicle. On 12/31/2014 I received a right tail lamp malfunction warning via I-drive and when I arrived home I inspected the right tail lamp assy and found the outer tail lamp bulb socket contacts to be melted and no longer making contact with the bulb holder. The stock and original bulb tested faulty. Unfortunately, due to the damaged and melted contact on the socket assy, the Bmw replacement bulb will not function either. …”

NHTSA complaint #10669578, filed 2015-01, 55,062 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10553350, filed 2013-11

“The front Xenon Headlight Wiring protective plastic coating has degraded and prematurely failed on both headlight assemblies. This caused headlight bulb shorting and poses a potential fire hazard in the front engine compartment of the vehicle. The wiring used in the headlight assemblies was not up to proper standards and failed. The wiring used in other areas of the engine bay seems to be okay. …”

NHTSA complaint #11535530, filed 2023-07

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2007710%
200689%

Other parts of the 2007 BMW 530XI

Electrical system
17 complaints
Air bags
13 complaints
Engine
12 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Electronic stability control
4 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2007 BMW 530XI

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology