BMW has always been into making cars with a lot of detail and attention. This has earned them a reputation for making reliable vehicles, especially in the premium segment. The 2021 BMW X7 is their fullsize SUV which has managed to sell just over 23,000 units. The numbers have gone up compared to the previous years and another thing that has gone down on this SUV is the number of complaints with NHTSA recording just 4 complaints but the car did have to undergo 8 recalls in a very short duration. The low complaints really pushed the sales for his car but other vehicles which is running the same race as the X7 are the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, the Land Rover Discovery, and the Audi Q7.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
-
Battery connector – The user stated that the occupants could smell something burning and soon after, they noticed fumes coming from the air vents. The car was stopped towards a safe section and before they even knew it, the engine bay area was engulfed in flames and was put out by the safety department. The issue was later stated to be a misassembled mild-hybrid battery connector which caused electrical resistance, leading to the fire. BMW had found this issue right when they were about to launch the X7 and tried fixing all the affected vehicles but this was said to be one car that they failed to keep a track of.
Mechanical Problems
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Brakes – The user complained about hearing a grinding noise coming while applying the brakes. The noise was only said to go up and was noticed to be very audible while making a turn. The vehicle was dropped at the dealership for inspection and the user was told that the brake pad stiction and vibrations are what caused the noise, and it was stated that the dealers did nothing about this, stating that the noise causes no hard to the vehicle.
Structural Problems
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Sunroof – The report stated that the sunroof shattered while the car was moving. There were no impacts or moving objects around the glass and dealers replaced the glass.
2021 BMW X7 recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
20th April 2022 |
22V267000 |
Sunroof malfunction. |
Incorrectly programmed unit may lead the sunroof to close without the key fob present in the vehicle, increasing the chances of an injury. |
Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit. |
|
2. |
10th March 2021 |
21V156000 |
Head restraints incorrect. |
The outer head restraints on the second row might be the incorrect type, leading them to detach during a crash. |
The head restraints will be inspected and replaced. |
|
3. |
19th February 2021 |
21V096000 |
Rearview camera image malfunction. |
The affected vehicles may not be able to properly display the rearview image, hence increasing the risk of crashing for the drivers who rely on the rearview camera. |
The rearview camera software will be inspected and updated. |
|
4. |
10th February 2021 |
21V062000 |
Possible loss of braking assistance and ABS. |
The rotor and shaft inside the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during hard braking, leading to a loss of ABS and braking assistance. |
Dealers will replace the integrated brake system. |
|
5. |
29th January 2021 |
21V031000 |
Loose steering column shaft. |
A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect the vehicle handling ad control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced. |
|
6. |
9th December 2020 |
20V761000 |
48V battery connection misassembled. |
The connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter generator may not have been assembled properly and can cause electrical resistance, increasing the chances of a fire. |
Dealers will inspect the connection between the battery and the starter and replace it if necessary. |
|
7. |
1st September 2020 |
20V528000 |
Headlights contain non-conforming lenses. |
Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of the approaching vehicle, which could potentially increase the risk of injury. |
Dealers will inspect the headlamps and replace them if necessary. |
|
8. |
27th August 2020 |
20V514000 |
Incorrect tire information label. |
The vehicle operator may install tires of the wrong size due to the faulty label and this can cause the vehicle to lose control while driving. |
Dealers will replace the tire information label. |
Should you buy the 2021 BMW X7?
There is no doubt that the BMW X7 is reliable and the $75,900 price tag is all worth the package as the SUV comes with promising quality which suggests the vehicle to last ages. There have been issues and concerns but one such incident that broke the internet is the BMW X7 getting caught on fire and this was later revealed that BMW had fixed this issue on all the affected cars even before they were sold to buyers, with this one car managing it to sneak out onto the road. Otherwise, the X7 is one of the best options available and there really wouldn’t be any regrets. Do make sure to get the mild-hybrid battery connector inspected before driving the new car home.
