Last updated: 2026-10-10
2019 BMW X7 Reliability Report
The 2019 BMW X7 rates good for reliability, but starters that fail without warning are the main problem owners report.
Recalls
11
Complaints
44
Complaint Rate
1.4per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$1127
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,400–$4,400
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
First year of the G07 generation, it sits mid-pack among X7 years, with starter failures as its most repeated complaint.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (16)
- POWER TRAIN (5)
- ENGINE (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2019 is the first model year of the First generation (G07).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
- Refreshed in 2023.
- 1st generation X7 (US).
What this means for buyers
First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.
Compare 2019 pricing and recall counts against 2020+ before deciding.
2019: First generation (G07) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2019 BMW X7?
Reliability stands at good, and this model year runs close to average among 2019 SUVs. Within the X7's own scored years it sits in the middle of eight, and 2020 rates about the same. Owners filed 44 complaints, roughly 1.4 per 10,000 sold.
The starter is the main worry. It can fail without warning, leaving the engine unable to restart, often at a traffic light after stop/start shuts it off. Some cars show a starter overheated message first. One owner went through three starters, each lasting about 16 months. Other complaints cover a leaking roof antenna that disrupts navigation and triggers emergency calls, transfer case failure with grinding in slow turns, and a cracking plastic oil pump part. Federal recall records list 11 recalls, including electrical system, brakes, and fuel system.
Ask for starter and oil pump repair records, and run the VIN to confirm every recall is closed. The 2020 model offers no clear improvement, with 52 complaints and 12 recalls.
Compared to the 2020 BMW X7, which scored 1 points lower.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
- +Only 44 complaints reported
Cons
- −Above-average recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Starter fails without warning, and the engine will not restart (16 complaints)
- −POWER TRAIN: Transfer case failure is the most concrete pattern (5 complaints)
Compare 2019 BMW X7 With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 11 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (16)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5)
Recall Overview
11
recalls on record
The 2019 BMW X7 has 11 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
1.4
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 21.2
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2019 BMW X7 Recall Details
11 recalls have been issued for the 2019 BMW X7. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEATS
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Showing 10 of 11 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →
Buying a used 2019 BMW X7? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 BMW X7, and 11 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2019 BMW X7 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
BMW X7Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
2.5Maintenance rating: 2.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$1127
Repair Frequency
0.7
unscheduled repair visits per year
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
17–22 MPG
Running cost: $4,550–$5,550/yr
Fuel + repair
15–20 city / 21–25 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X7 xDrive40i 3.0L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,400 |
| X7 xDrive50i 4.4L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,400 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 BMW X7.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and get dealer proof that every open campaign has been completed.
Restart the engine several times when warm and after stop/start shuts it off. Watch for slow cranking or starter overheating messages.
Check for emergency call system faults, a hijacked center display, or wrong navigation location. These point to water in the telematics unit.
Ask for service records showing any shark fin antenna or telematics unit repairs, and whether they were repeated.
Make slow, tight turns in a parking lot. Listen for grinding and feel for binding steering from the transfer case.
On a cold start, confirm the car can measure the oil level and shows no oil pressure warnings.
Fold and raise both third-row backrests and confirm no backrest lock error appears on the dash.
Drive on an open road at moderate speed and watch for false automatic emergency braking.
2019 BMW X7 Common Problems by Component
44 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16 complaintsThe starter fails without warning, and the engine will not restart. This often happens at a traffic light after stop/start shuts the engine off. Some cars show a starter overheated message first. Others smell of electrical smoke from underneath. Several owners were stranded in busy intersections, and one reports about 65,000 miles. The roof shark fin antenna also leaks. Water reaches the telematics unit and triggers repeated emergency calls, takes over the center or head-up display, and knocks out navigation. Repairs often have to be repeated. There are isolated reports of brakes not stopping the car and of spilled liquid shorting the shifter.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaintsWater gets past the shark fin antenna seal and into the telematics unit. This disables the SOS crash notification without any warning, and navigation can show the wrong location. Owners say dealers refuse warranty repair because they consider the car outside the service bulletin. Starter failures also appear here, with disputes over recall work and part availability. One serious report describes the transmission shifting itself to neutral, then park, and shutting the engine off at lights. The car then took up to 10 minutes to restart, leaving it stuck blocking traffic.
POWER TRAIN
5 complaintsTransfer case failure is the most concrete pattern. Owners hear grinding during slow turns, and the steering feels like it locks up. Mechanics say the whole case has to be replaced, and one owner puts the cost around $9k. Two reports describe the variable-displacement oil pump. An internal plastic part can crack, often on cold starts, and oil pressure becomes erratic or drops with little warning. An early sign is that the car cannot measure the oil level. One car overheated and seized, blowing white smoke with a fuel smell.
ENGINE (4 complaints)
ENGINE
4 complaintsStarters fail again and again. One car had its starter replaced 3 times, and each one lasted about 16 months. That owner says the dealer did only a software update and quoted $1500 for another starter. Oil pump failure is also reported. Its plastic internal parts can break apart and send debris into the engine, and the quoted repair cost is high. Another owner describes vibration, lost power at 40 mph or faster, and a timing chain failure warning. The dealer found no fault, and the problem kept coming back.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (4 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 complaintsThe engine hesitates or refuses to start, often with a starter overheating message and no other warning lights. On warm starts, some cars intermittently show a system overheating message. They will not restart until the engine cools for several minutes. Most of these reports involve owners linking the problem to a starter recall campaign and arguing with dealers or BMW over whether their car qualifies. Several cars still need a new starter, and owners say the cost is not covered. Without the repair, they face more no-start episodes.
SEATS (3 complaints)
SEATS
3 complaintsThe third-row backrest lock keeps showing an error that the left or right backrest is not in its end position, telling the driver to remove obstructions and readjust the seat. Owners treat this as a sign that the seatback may not be securely latched. A separate report describes a recurring defect in the passenger-side third-row headrest. Repeated dealer repair attempts over 5-6 months did not fix it. The complaints describe repairs that do not stick rather than a quick fix.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaintsAutomatic emergency braking engages with no obstacle ahead. In one case it brought the car to a complete stop on an open multi-lane road in daylight. The problem repeats. One owner saw it twice in a two-week span, and another reports phantom braking at about 5,000 miles. A sudden stop like this risks a rear-end crash if traffic is following. Neither report describes a lasting dealer fix. One owner traded the car in.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintRemote software update for driver assist, lane departure and other safety updates will not install on the vehicle.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintPassenger restraint system malfunction.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (1 complaints)
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2019 BMW X7. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, she felt and observed a loud bang emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle chassis stabilization malfunction warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the vehicle was inspected. The contact stated that the vehicle was observed leaning towards the rear right. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side air strut was fractured and the compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Best & Worst BMW X7 Years
Best BMW X7 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreBMW X7 Years to Avoid
BMW X7 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 62/100 | Good |
BMW X7 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2019 BMW X7 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW X7?
Does the 2019 BMW X7 have starter problems?
Does the 2019 BMW X7 have oil pump or transfer case problems?
Is the 2020 BMW X7 more reliable than the 2019?
Don’t buy a 2019 BMW X7 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2019 BMW X7
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 BMW X7 does best on how many systems draw complaints (86/100) and worst on repair costs (50/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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