Suspension, electrical system and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The largest and most expensive BMW X model ever, the BMW X7 was launched in March 2019. At the time, BMW boasted that it offers a new dimension in luxury combined with the agile and versatile driving properties we expect of sports activity vehicles (SAVs).
Driving assistant professional features include automatic speed limit assist as well as lane-keeping, steering, and lane-control assistants. Where permitted, there is also a traffic jam assistant.
While it is true that it’s had some exceptionally good reviews, the X7 is also logging up complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And some of them are extremely serious.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2020 2022 2023
There are 4 complaints on record with the NHTSA for the 2019 launch model. One of the reports says that brake failure resulted in a crash.
There are 9 complaints about the 2020 model. Of these, 2 describe their vehicle bursting into flames while on the road. Like the earlier model, brake failure resulted in 1 crash, while a crash was narrowly averted in a second similar incident.
So far there are 3 complaints about the 2021 model.
Recalls are also on the increase, with a total of 22 across the 3 models. There are 8 recalls on 2019 BMW X7 components and systems, 9 on the 2020 model, and 8 on the 2021 X7. Three of the recalls are common to all 3 models, including one that warns of a possible loss of braking assistance. All warn that the fault or malfunction can increase the risk of a crash and/or injury.
One of the complaints about the 2020 model relates to a recall, but the owner of the car states no information about the recall has been shared.
“I was called by a BMW representative and told a safety recall was in effect and I was not to drive my brand new BMW X7, not even to the dealership. They would arrange to come get it via a wrecker and would be keeping it approximately a month.
“No-one will disclose to me the issue or the fix. They are being very closed to all my questions. (It) must be serious and lawyers must already be involved. Best I can tell via the NHTSA website (is that) no notifications has been made to the NHTSA as required by law.”
Complaints about the 2021 BMW X7 relate to airbags, the electrical system and engine, and the sunroof. Like the 2020 model, one complaint describes how a vehicle caught on fire while on the road.
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| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Seats | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Steering | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
“I was driving a car with (my) family and all of a sudden we all started smelling a burning smell but we thought it must be from outside. However, in just a few seconds, the vents started throwing vapors. So I stopped the car hoping it may stop if some minor damage. However, the hood started throwing orange-color fumes and by the time we all left the vehicle the entire front hood/engine area (had) started burning. There were no indications of any faults in the car.
“This was the most shocking incident we had to face with my family where there were two kids of 4 and 9, along with my wife and her parents who are senior citizens.”
The complaint about BMW X7 airbags maintains that “BMW currently has a lawsuit pending against this VERY ISSUE.”
“When moisture gets into the cupholders of a BMW 2021 X7, it leaks into the electrical system for the airbag sensors and seat belt sensors. This makes them USELESS in an accident.”
What happened in this instance is that, “A small amount of soda spilled in the cupholders by my daughter. It was quickly cleaned and dried – but this caused a leak and led to the restraint system failure. This renders my airbags in the driver and passenger seats useless, along with the seatbelts. They will NOT work in the event of an accident. This was confirmed by Rick Hendrick BMW Charleston in Charleston, SC. BMW should recall the ACSM and make the area waterproof.”
The sunroof complaint is filed in the category Unknown or Other. There is no explanation of why this happened and no solution is mentioned.
“Sunroof randomly exploded while driving in the middle of nowhere. No impact, no debris, no flying objects around at all.”
Even the biggest, best, and most popular vehicles sometimes emerge off the production line as lemons. But what can you do if you think that your 2021 BMW X7 is a lemon?
Lemberg Law has helped many consumers obtain settlements from vehicle manufacturers. These include cash settlements, buybacks, replacement cars and trade-ins.
You don’t have to worry about legal bills, because the law makes BMW pay the costs of lemon law cases. So, call our Helpline today and we’ll assess your case.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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