2020 BMW X7
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 16 of 52 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 47 in 2019 to 52 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,500–4,550 | 3,500–4,550 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,700–4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–22 | 17–22 | 17–21 | 17–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–20 / 21–25 | 15–20 / 21–25 | 15–19 / 21–24 | 15–19 / 21–24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 409–506 | 409–511 | 412–514 | 412–517 | |
| Complaints filed | 47 | 52 | 45 | 20 | |
| Recalls issued | 11 | 12 | 9 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW X7 have?
12 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 BMW X7?
Engine: 16 of 52 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 BMW X7 get?
EPA rates it 17–22 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 BMW X7?
EPA estimates $3,500–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 511 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 511 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 409 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (12)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · Campaign 25V644000 · Sep 26, 2025
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Consequence: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE · Campaign 24V576000 · Aug 1, 2024
Defect: 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. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
Consequence: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
SEATS · Campaign 22V670000 · Sep 8, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: In a crash, the seat backrest may not fully lock, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 22V267000 · Apr 20, 2022
Defect: 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."
Consequence: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021
Defect: 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."
Consequence: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC · Campaign 21V062000 · Feb 10, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM · Campaign 20V678000 · Nov 4, 2020
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.
Consequence: If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 20V528000 · Sep 1, 2020
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · Campaign 20V465000 · Aug 10, 2020
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the starter for damage, and check if the bolt has fallen into the transmission housing, replacing any damaged parts as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 20V052000 · Jan 30, 2020
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X7 xDrive40i and X7 xDrive50i vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect an adequate amount of light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: An inadequate amount of reflected light will decrease the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace both rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Show 2 earlier campaigns
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 19V684000 · Sep 30, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK · Campaign 19V631000 · Aug 29, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.