Reliable Auto DB

2021 BMW X7 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 BMW X7 has 46 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 3 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most X7 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Seats, Sunroof, and Head restraint.

2019 BMW X7
Photo by LuvsMG481, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

46

Per year

3

Recalls

9

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 46), then Powertrain (11) and Electrical system (8). The most filings arrived in 2026 (21 of 46). Those filings include 2 that report a fire and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 X7 has 54 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 20 complaints, 4 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 BMW X7. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (9)

Recall Seats 2022-09-07 · NHTSA campaign 22V670000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i, X7 Drive50i, X7 M50i vehicles with third-row seats. One or more of the compression springs that lock the backrest may not have been installed properly, and could dislodge or detach.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the third-row seat and, if necessary, remove and reinstall improperly installed compression springs, and reinstall any missing springs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall visibility, sunroof 2022-04-20 · NHTSA campaign 22V267000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Remedy Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall seats, middle or rear assembly, head restraint 2021-03-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V156000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2021-02-19 · NHTSA campaign 21V096000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall Hydraulic brakes 2021-02-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V062000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall steering, column 2021-01-29 · NHTSA campaign 21V031000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall electrical system, 12V/24V/48V battery 2020-12-09 · NHTSA campaign 20V761000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2020-09-01 · NHTSA campaign 20V528000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall Labels 2020-08-27 · NHTSA campaign 20V514000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain X7 xDrive40i and M50i vehicles. The tire information labels may contain tire size and cold tire inflation pressure information that does not match the specific tires that were installed on these vehicles. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire information label, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (46 total)

Engine
11
Powertrain
11
Electrical system
8
Seats
5
Steering
5
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Speed control
4
Forward collision avoidance
3
Exterior lighting
2
Lane departure
2
Seat belts
2
Service brakes
2
Air bags
1
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Structure
1
Wheels
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

72022120238202492025212026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Both factory key fobs simultaneously ceased being recognized for vehicle starting. The vehicle instructed me to hold the key against the emergency key-recognition point on the steering column, but that backup procedure…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-13
  • "The IP Cluster that shows details on the speed the vehicle is traveling at, gas left, mileage left etc. were left inaccessible when the Instrument Panel cluster on the BMW X7 blanked out. Big Safety concern when the…"
    Speed control, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-09-08
  • "Under FMVSS 101, if a screen experiences a momentary "black screen" or reset cycle while driving, it is considered non-compliant because the driver loses immediate access to the speedometer, safety and ADAS functions of…"
    Electrical system, Speed control, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-20
  • "The entire car shut down while on the highway with no prior notifications on/from the system. The entire safety of myself and family was put at risk because there where several cars behind us on the highway that could…"
    Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-08-13
  • "Just over 50k miles and barely out of warranty, the pinion bearing in the front differential failed. This is a known issue with many people on BMW forums reporting the same failure in 8 cylinder X7's. Some failures…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-08-11

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 BMW X7 SUV AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
X7 M50i 4.4L, 8-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 15 21 17 MPG $4700
X7 xDrive40i 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 19 24 21 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

G07 generation, 2019–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 or 0W-30 (engine-dependent)
Tire size 285/45R21; optional staggered 275/40R22 front / 315/35R22 rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V-631 covers certain 2020 BMW X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles, and also certain 2020 X5 models: the steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control. Dealers replace the steering rack. Recall 20V-052 covers certain 2020 X7 xDrive40i and X7 xDrive50i vehicles: the rear reflex reflectors may not reflect adequately; dealers replace both rear reflex reflectors.

Compare

Previous year 2020 BMW X7 Next year 2022 BMW X7 See every BMW X7 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 BMW X7 reliable?

The 2021 BMW X7 has 46 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 3 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most X7 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Seats, Sunroof, and Head restraint.

What are common problems with a 2021 BMW X7?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 46), then Powertrain (11) and Electrical system (8). The most filings arrived in 2026 (21 of 46). Those filings include 2 that report a fire and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2021 BMW X7 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 X7 has 54 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2022 has 20 complaints, 4 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 BMW X7 been recalled?

The 2021 BMW X7 has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 BMW X7?

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2021 BMW X7 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 BMW X7 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 BMW X7 is 19 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a BMW X7 take?

0W-20 or 0W-30 depending on engine; the B58 six takes about 6.9 quarts, while N63 V8 capacities are higher. Confirm your engine in the owner’s manual.

What does recall 19V-631 cover on the X7?

Certain 2020 X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles (and certain 2020 X5 models): steering-related defect—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.

What tire sizes does the G07 X7 use?

285/45R21 common; optional staggered 275/40R22 front / 315/35R22 rear.