Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes, stability control, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 BMW X7: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 BMW X7. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD | 22 mpg |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | AWD | 18 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 BMW X7, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Most of these complaints are about waiting for a brake-system recall repair. Dealers say parts are unavailable and give no date, and owners describe driving for months without a fix. A smaller group reports real braking faults. The pedal turns hard and needs extreme force to stop the car. Stopping effort varies from one stop to the next. ABS and brake warning lights come on, and the car jerks during an emergency stop. One case involves lost motive power and a tow. False automatic emergency braking with no obstacle ahead also appears.
Nearly every report here is about a pending recall repair. Most owners have had no failure. They say dealers and the manufacturer cannot supply parts or say when parts will arrive. A few describe real faults. One is a brake pedal that is hard to press at parking speeds, with "Reduced Braking Assist" and parking brake messages. Another is brakes that apply on their own at about 50 mph with a red SOS light, cleared by restarting the car. Braking hard without warning at highway speed risks a rear-end crash.
Sudden shutdowns lead these reports. The car shows "Unable to Drive" and SOS messages and stops at 45 to 50 mph. Some cars will not start because of error codes and need a tow. Weak braking that barely slows the car also appears. One crash report describes the SUV speeding up while braking into a parking space and hitting a building. The central display goes blank for up to 30 seconds while driving, and software updates and replacement screens have not fixed it. Dealers often blame software.
The engine shuts off while driving, including on the highway, after a powertrain malfunction or low-power warning. Drivers get only seconds to coast to the shoulder, and restarting often takes several attempts. The fault keeps coming back after dealer visits. A software update failed within 3 miles, and another dealer found nothing after stalls in heat over 100 degrees. Losing power at night or in heavy traffic is a serious crash risk, and owners are often stranded.
Both complaints involve the doors. A passenger door will not open from the inside or outside handle. Neither the remote unlock service nor the dealer could release it, so the passenger was trapped. Separately, the soft-close feature keeps pulling the door shut with a hand in the way, which has crushed a thumb. Both are injury risks, especially with children in the car.
The wipers stop in heavy rain and stick upright. The motor clicks but will not move, and no warning light comes on, so the driver cannot see on the highway. In a separate complaint, chrome trim near a dashboard air vent reflects light into the side mirrors in some lighting, which makes the mirrors hard to use. Dealer visits have not fixed it. Each problem comes from a single report.
Excerpts from complaints X7 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
We are unable to sell the car because it’s listed as unsalable because of the recall and we are unable to drive the vehicle. BMW should replace the vehicle at their cost.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
I have owned this vehicle for under 6 months. The brakes stopped working and have had to have car towed into shop now twice due to the car not being able to be started due to error codes. When the brake issues occured you would press them and it would barely stop and create a very unsafe situation.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 X7 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the fifth model year of the X7's first generation (2019–2023).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2023
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 21, 2026. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 24V739 or 24V104 will need to have the new remedy completed.
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 22, 2024. Second letters will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under recall number 24V-104 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.
Risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
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.
Risk: A loose connection between the exhaust system and catalytic converter increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X7 xDrive40i, and X7 M60i vehicles. In certain vehicle operating conditions, only one of the two front parking lights may remain illuminated. 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: A loss of illumination from one of the parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control unit for the front parking lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Cars shoppers compare with the BMW X7, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
