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2020 BMW X7

Gas Midsize / large SUV

202720262025202420232022202120202019
Specs & fuel economyRecallsComplaintsCrash ratings
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100
FSafety Signal · 35 / 100
12Recalls · 2 critical
52Complaints · owner reports
Crash rating · NHTSA overall
22 mpgFuel economy · best combined

The 2020 BMW X7 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize or large SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the X7 xDrive40i, is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 52 complaints, most often about power train.

Specs & fuel economy (EPA)

ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
X7 xDrive40iGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202522$3,500
X7 M50iGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,550
X7 xDrive50iGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.

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Recalls (12)

Electrical System

critical
145,102 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 25V644000 · reported Sep 25, 2025 · BMW of North America, LLC

Electrical System

critical
105,588 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 24V576000 · reported Aug 1, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC

Seats

high
246 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In a crash, the seat backrest may not fully lock, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 22V670000 · reported Sep 7, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC

Visibility

moderate
61,221 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 22V267000 · reported Apr 20, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC

Back Over Prevention

minor
13,858 vehicles

Problem: 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 43

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V096000 · reported Feb 19, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

high
893 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 21V062000 · reported Feb 10, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Suspension

high
83 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V678000 · reported Nov 4, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Exterior Lighting

high
307 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V528000 · reported Sep 1, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Power Train

high
21 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V465000 · reported Aug 7, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Exterior Lighting

high
683 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: An inadequate amount of reflected light will decrease the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V052000 · reported Jan 30, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Back Over Prevention

minor
257,473 vehicles

Problem: 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

Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 19V684000 · reported Sep 27, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Steering

high
12 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

NHTSA campaign 19V631000 · reported Aug 28, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Owner complaints

52 complaints filed

2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.

Filed by year — 2019: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 14

Most-cited components

  • Power Train — 14
  • Engine — 13
  • Electrical System — 11
  • Unknown Or Other — 9
  • Seats — 6
“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 …”Dec 22, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“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…”Sep 8, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“Engine shut off after a brief warning message on the dash while highway driving. I don't remember the exact words but it was a "drivetrain" problem. After the the message came on the car sputtered 2 or 3 times and then the engine shut down without warning. The car would not re-start. The car was stuck in the middle of …”Aug 1, 2023 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other X7 model years

A

2027 X7

0 recalls · 0 complaints

C

2026 X7

2 recalls · 5 complaints

D

2025 X7

4 recalls · 28 complaints

F

2024 X7

7 recalls · 62 complaints

F

2023 X7

8 recalls · 43 complaints

B

2022 X7

2 recalls · 20 complaints

F

2021 X7

9 recalls · 45 complaints

F

2019 X7

11 recalls · 47 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 42057, 41777, 41776). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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