2021 BMW X7 Problems and Top Issues – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Suspension, electrical system and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

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

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 BMW X7

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Service Brakes
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Exterior Lighting
1
Seat Belts
1
Seats
1
Air Bags
1
Electrical System
1
Engine
1

Cumulative Complaints about the BMW X7

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.”

Most Common Problems with the 2021 BMW X7

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.

2021 BMW X7 Electrical System & Engine Problems

“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.”

2021 BMW X7 Airbags Problems

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.”

2021 BMW X7 Sunroof Problems

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.”

What to do if your 2021 BMW X7 is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights

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.

Complaint Data

CategoryService Brakes
DateDec 09, 2022
StateSC
Description
When starting the vehicle and shifting into drive, "hard" brakes are felt. Brake pedal is "stuck" in a high position and cannot be compressed. The vehicle is extremely unstable - the car lurches forward when brakes are slightly released. Excessive brake pressure is required to prevent the vehicle from moving inadvertently. This persists for 10-60 seconds, then the brakes relax into the normal position and no other issues are experienced. Confirmed no lights on dash or warnings sounded. This has been experienced 4 times in 6 months. Issue has been reported to dealership. After second occurrence, dealership took vehicle for diagnostics and updated software. After third occurrence, dealership took vehicle and replaced abs module, with software update. Feedback from bmw is that they think a diagnostic is running at startup and when the vehicle is shifted into drive it is not finished with the cycle. Most recent visit to dealership was late november 2022. Issue occurred again on 12/8 in the afternoon. Vehicle was parked in carpool line at school. When line began moving, vehicle was started and shifted into gear. Hard brake immediately felt (this is after repairs from bmw). This recurrence prompted this submission.
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateDec 09, 2022
StateSC
Description
Exploding moonroof while driving vehicle
CategoryExterior Lighting, Seat Belts, Seats
DateNov 18, 2022
StateTX
Description
Sunroof exploded, just driving down the road, and boom! Most of the glass exploded outward, but it was definitely a hazard. The sunroof cover was open about 8-10 inches to let light in, but the glass sunroof was closed.
CategoryService Brakes
DateJul 07, 2022
StateVA
Description
When applying brakes and releasing the brakes there is a grinding sound. The grinding sound is pronounced when applying the brake and turning the steering wheel at the same time. When I took the vehicle to checkered flag bmw of virginia beach, I was told per bmw engineering it was norm operating characteristic. The shop foreman said he had several customers complain about the same problem and duplicated the problem while driving my vehicle. He was the person that showed me the noise was much louder when turning the steering while braking. The report I received from the service manager named the issue as brake/pad rotor stiction and pad vibration. The invoice stated that the loud noise was not a flaw or defect, but normal operating characteristic. Simply put and 85,000 vehicle grinding noise is okay. I believe there is a problem that will get much worse over time and become a very serious safety issue. So much so that I will take a loss and sell the vehicle.
CategoryAir Bags
DateMay 17, 2022
StateSC
Description
When moisture gets into the cupholders of a bmw 2021 x7, it leaks into the electrical system for the airbag sensors and seatbelt sensors. This makes them useless in an accident. Bmw currently has a lawsuit pending against this very issue. A small amount of soda spilled in the cupholders by my daughter. It was quickly cleaned and dried- but this caused a leak and lead to the restraint system failure- which 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.
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateMay 10, 2022
StateTX
Description
Sunroof randomly exploded while driving in the middle of no where . No impact , no debris , no flying objects around at all
CategoryElectrical System, Engine
DateJan 18, 2022
StateNY
Description
I was driving a car with family and all of a sudden we all started smelling a burning smell but we thought it must be from outside. However, in just 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 oranges color fumes and by the time we all left the vehicle the entire front hood/engine area 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.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 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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