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ProblemsByVin Index / 2020-BMW-X7 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2020 BMW X7 owner complaints

52 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 5 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

other 6 complaints shown

12/09/2024 ODI #11629555.0

On August 1st 2024, NHTSA initiated campaign number 24V576000, BMW "Starter Motor May Fail and Overheat". On 10/3 I went into BMW of Bloomfield to get an oil change & address the recall. On 11/23, my car would not start in the middle of traffic. Then on 11/25 I brought in my 2020 X7 to ascertain why the car stopped working and have it fixed. I was told by BMW that the same starter motor stopped working. When I received a call stating that the car was fixed, I informed them that this should be covered by BMW as it was a direct result of the recall that should have been addressed back in October. I'm currently waiting for BMW NA to pay for the failed recalled part, case 07650216.

12/08/2025 2 injuries ODI #11703716.0

• Third-row seat in my 2020 BMW X7 failed during normal operation and trapped my [XXX] daughter between the seatbacks. • She sustained injuries to her legs (documented in photos). I injured my arm while trying to free her. • Approximately 10 people witnessed the incident. • Seat would not move or release electronically or manually—no functional emergency release. • Multiple BMW system warnings occurred before the incident, including:  – “Third row seat risk of injury”  – “Right/left rear seat unlocked”  – “Right/left rear seat back unlocked” • BMW’s inspection found the passenger-side third-row seat motor housing broken. • There was no misuse and the failure occurred during normal operation • BMW refuses to repair the defect under warranty and attempted to return the vehicle unrepaired.

12/05/2025 1 injury ODI #11703170.0

I am filing this complaint because the third-row passenger seat in my 2020 BMW X7 has a serious defect that poses an immediate safety risk to children and passengers. The third-row seat malfunctioned while my child was exiting the vehicle. The powered seat began moving unexpectedly and trapped my child’s leg, and we had extreme difficulty getting the seat to release. This is an extremely dangerous failure for any powered seat, especially one that is frequently used by children. This is not normal wear and tear — this is a mechanical and electrical failure of a safety-critical seat system. BMW Fresno has had the vehicle for more than six weeks and cannot fix the problem. BMW North America reviewed the case but denied responsibility and closed it, even though the defect affects a powered

11/28/2021 Fire ODI #11441886.0

The BMW X7 caught on fire going down the HW.

11/11/2020 2,000 mi ODI #11374124.0

I was called by a BMW representative and told a safety recall was in affect 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. Must be serious and lawyers must be already involved. Best I can tell via the NHTSA website, no notification has been made to the NHTSA as required by law.

10/25/2024 ODI #11622017.0

The car just stopped in the middle of the road and wouldn’t restart. The starter is fried. I didn’t know about the starter recall

powertrain 4 complaints shown

12 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/21/2020 9,800 mi Crash ODI #11384398.0

On tuesday, november 17th, around 7pm et, I parked in front of a building complex. The car was in parking mod with engine on. I was talking to my brother in law in the car when within 4-5 min from the time of the car was in full stop, we heard the engine roaring louder and louder and the car accelerated with tremendous speed towards the building (parking spot is around 20 feet from the building). I pressed the brakes, but the car didn't stopped until we ended up inside the building going through a brick wall. The engine was still roaring louder for few more minutes with front wheels spinning around, until the car shuts down completely. From all that impact no airbag was open, coalition sensors didn't stop the car, not even me pressing the breaks didn't stop the car. After the incident o

11/23/2025 ODI #11701054.0

My front differential has failed and my vehicle has 62,000 miles. There is no recommended service and maintenance schedule for replacing fluids for the front differential so I thinking that this failure is due to an engineering design flaw including no recommended schedule to service the unit. It also seems this component may be too small/weak for the engine output. I has seem this failure reported on many blobs and users groups and seems to be recurring issue that BMW turns a blind side to. They ask why an extended warranty was not purchased and seeing that this is a recurring problem I am asking for a possible recall to force BMW to pay or reimburse others for repairs.

11/03/2025 140,218 mi ODI #11697151.0

The contact works for a company that owns a 2020 BMW X7. The contact stated that while his boss was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a station. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front trans-axle had disintegrated, causing the shaft to pinch and to create an 8-inch hole at the bottom of the oil pan. The contact stated that a significant amount of oil had leaked from the vehicle. The dealer determined that the transmission and engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that it was a known failure, but the vehicle failure was the most dangerous reported failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer

08/10/2025 ODI #11679631.0

Transfer case causes vehicle to shake when driving straight or turning from a complete stop or low speeds.

engine 2 complaints shown

11 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/22/2023 Fire ODI #11561478.0

On October 21, 2021 we purchased a 2020 BMW X7 from West Houston Land Rover (AutoNation) in Oct 2021. Purchased extended warranties. Within 3 months: Technicians advised replacing nearly new tires. Car smoked on highway after oil change, dismissed as spilled oil. Nov 28, 2023: Car burst into flames 5 minutes after oil change and passed multipoint inspection. Car burned completely to the ground Escaped unharmed but met with rudeness and dismissal from dealership. GM initially promised help, then stopped communication after seeing evidence. Unacceptable: Horrific experience with fire and previous issues. Appalling service and intimidation tactics (threat of lawsuit for sharing story). We demanded immediate action to reimburse our losses and hold the dealership accountable. We will actively s

10/14/2024 ODI #11619696.0

I was driving on the freeway when due to heavy traffic, it was a stop and go. the engine stalled and on re-started on multiple trials. this created a very dangerous situation for an immediate accident as there were vehicles all around me. the engine stalling continued the next day also and I took my vehicle to BMW for servicing and they diagnosed engine starter motor failure which they then replaced and charged me $1,411.44 on June 27, 2024. NHTSA has issued the following recall stating that the starter motor may fail and overheat. NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING [XXX] I called BMW customer service and they told me that my vehicle VIN number was not on the affected vehicles list and henc

electrical 2 complaints shown

8 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/11/2025 85,600 mi ODI #11704522.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V644000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic. The contact immediately depressed the brake and attempted to shift into park(P), but the transmission failed to respond as needed. The contact remained in the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed until Roadside Assistance arrived. The contact stated that the Roadside Assistance team held the start button down and the gear selector was shifted into neutral(N) for a second and continued to inadvertently shift back to park(P). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to properly diagnose the vehicle and referred the c

09/08/2023 ODI #11543462.0

The instrument cluster malfunctions - effectively taking the computer dark. This is so widespread they are indefinitely back ordered. Essential car part that is failing too early in lifecycle — still a new car, not a mileage issue Not safe to drive — must have this part Part is on back order indefinitely which is a red flag and makes us think broader systemic issue with part/class of vehicle Need to find a solution that ensures safety of family and recognizes this issue Repeat BMW customer and want to continue to be so but feeling very uncomfortable and vulnerable given the above

body 2 complaints shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/10/2024 ODI #11629930.0

I have noticed that the engine light on my BMW X7 keeps turning on after long rides but then disappears after some time. Upon inspection, I was informed that the issue is related to the active grille shutter, which is located in the front part of the body. While researching to see if others have experienced the same issue, I discovered that many BMW X5 and X7 owners have reported similar problems. It appears to be a common issue with these models. I believe BMW should consider issuing a recall for this problem since it seems to affect a significant number of vehicles in this range.

10/25/2019 1,000 mi ODI #11271054.0

On august 27, 2019, I purchased a 2020 BMW x7. Since purchasing the vehicle, it's been returned for repairs at two authorized dealers at least two times and spends two weeks of my 2 months ownership in the service. According to the authorized dealer, the defects affecting the vehicle and creating unpleasant, whistling noise is due to the design of the vehicle. It is too much money for a vehicle that gives me headaches.

steering 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/04/2025 ODI #11702895.0

Hello , I would like to report a failed front differential on my vehicle. This issue was diagnosed by an independent BMW shop and is currently being repaired. Mine made it to 69k miles but many others have had theirs failed before 50k miles. My main goal is to bring light to this issue since it seems to be a design flaw. There's also numerous reports for failed transfer cases since they aren't normally serviced by BMW dealers. I've attached both repair invoices.

suspension 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
11/13/2025 42,000 mi ODI #11699161.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the wheels while turning to the right or the left. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that both front control arms needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V678000 (SUSPENSION); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V644000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

airbags 1 complaint shown

10/21/2024 ODI #11620951.0

The failed component was observed when the Restraint warning icon appeared. There was no accident because the vehicle was taken to the BMW dealership for investigation. There is a warning not to drive because the Restraint system may not work properly. This is a safety issue with no work around to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. After reviewing multiple threads online, it appears that my situation is not uncommon with BMW. I took the vehicle to BMW service and they confirmed there is a fault in the harness that allows the airbag, seat belt and tensioner to not operate properly in the case of a collision. The service advisor admitted they have seen this before and knew how to repair it. The repair is too costly to investigate the harness where the defect in the wiring occurred, so the

fuel system 1 complaint shown

08/14/2025 50,000 mi ODI #11680649.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X7. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Showing 300 of 52 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/BMW/X7#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-07-15. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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