Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X7. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was an unknown message regarding the brakes, stability control, and steering displayed. There was a red symbol displayed. Additionally, while driving at an unknown speed or a stop light, the brakes locked up. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions, where it was diagnosed and the mechanic reset the instrument panel and brakes. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. While driving to the same local dealer, the vehicle shut down, and the mechanics had to push the vehicle into the service department. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. …
The X7 engine shut down twice while driving. Both incidents took place in busy traffic, engine shut down with warning sound and error message flashed up on screen and disappeared so quick that no one can remember. As the result, the vehicle was stuck in the middle of busy traffic. Within less than 1 minute, the vehicle can be restarted and driven as normal. The vehicle was brought to BMW dealership since the 1st incident. Dealership implemented software update only. The 2nd incident happened roughly 7 months after the 1st incident. Currently it's with dealership again since the 2nd incident. At the moment of writing up this case, the service advisor told me replacing the 12V battery would solve the issue. However, there's no more details provided regarding how a low battery would cause engine shutdown. …
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X7. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The message "Pull Over and Turn Off Your Car - You Have Lost All the Water In the Radiator" was displayed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart, but was towed to Hawkeye Motorsports LLC, where it was diagnosed that the water pump pulley had shattered. The mechanic replaced the coolant pump, coolant lines, and belts. Additionally, the coolant lines were tested. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that reimbursement assistance could only be provided if the VIN was included in a related recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
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.
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 contact owns a 2020 BMW X7. The contact stated that after parking and later attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Starting Engine Possible After Engine Overheat" was displayed, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact waited several hours before the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was driven to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the starter had overheated. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the starter module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) which required a software update. …
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle restarted with the power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the failure reoccurred. The failure was a persistent failure. The contact stated that there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact noticed a fuel odor on the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In addition, the RPM was elevated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or warranty. …
The contact owned a 2019 BMW X7. The contact stated while the vehicle was occupied and parked in the garage at the residence, the contact's husband attempted several times to start the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and escalated the issue to the claims department. The failure mileage was 49,447.
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X7 M60i and XM vehicles. The fasteners that connect the exhaust system and the catalytic converter may not have been tightened correctly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gasket between the exhaust system and the catalytic converter, and tighten the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023.
Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, resulting in a fuel leak.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW X7 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (16), 2020 (16) and 2021 (12) model years. Engine complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for BMW X7 engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 24V-576 (software, Aug 1, 2024); 23V-294 (catalytic convertor, Apr 26, 2023); 19V-513 (engine, Jul 3, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW X7 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › oil/lubrication › pump (1 mentions).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.