*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Suspension
My vehicle was diagnosed in August of 2026 with a suspension thrust arm failure showing leaking hydraulic fluid. The repair cost was quoted at $2,200.00. I found on the internet a BMW of north america service bulletin that called out these thrust arms can fail due to "Various external influences can cause premature aging of the tension strut hydro-mount elastomer; whichcan lead to cracks in the material, and leakage." The service bulletin noted that BMW covers repair costs (parts and labor) on this for cars within the new manufacturer warranty which unfortunately my car had just passed the manufacturer warranty. It is clear these have been leaking for some time and likely failed well before…
Aug 11, 2026Steering
On August 19, 2026, my 2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i experienced multiple safety\-related warnings at approximately 50,411â50,427 miles\. The vehicle first displayed âIncreased steering effortâ and instructed me to drive carefully to a service center\. It then displayed a red power\-supply warning stating: âStop carefully\. Do not continue driving\. Continued driving will lead to malfunction of safety relevant functions\. Battery cannot be recharged\. Call Roadside Assistance\.â A drivetrain warning subsequently appeared\. After the vehicle was stopped and later restarted, the warnings temporarily cleared\. BMW of Atlantic City performed a KeyReader scan\. The report documented the…
Aug 19, 2026Electrical system
Component Failing: Telematics Control Unit (TCU) / SOS Emergency Call System This vehicle is experiencing an intermittent, total failure of the factory-installed SOS/Emergency Call System due to a known manufacturing defect. BMW has documented this issue in Technical Service Bulletin SIB 65 12 22, admitting that an improper factory paint and sealing process causes the roof-mounted shark fin antenna to separate from the vehicle body. As a direct result of this assembly defect, rainwater has leaked past the roofline and into the vehicle's interior cabin, flooding and short-circuiting the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). Consequently, the critical life-safety SOS system is failing to operate…
Feb 11, 2026Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Lock
The front passenger side door is unable to open from inside or outside the vehicle. The door actuator failed, and this has been confirmed by the dealer. This is an obvious safety issue as it prevents egress in an emergency. According to Internet forums, this seems to be a known issue across BMW platforms.
Apr 6, 2026Engine
Transfer case and front and rear differentials have failed - bmw claims lifetime fluid which is clearly not accurate
Oct 8, 2025Power train
Description of the Problem: At ~57,000 miles, the front differential on my 2025 BMW X7 M50i failed and was replaced by an authorized dealer in March 2025. The issue was believed resolved, but in October 2025 the vehicle was returned to Advantage BMW because of a question about when the vehicle showing shuttering, vibration, and binding during low-speed turns. The car has been at the BMW dealership since 10/15/2025, where it was diagnosed with a transfer-case failure. Both failures occurred without any warning lights, messages, or diagnostic alerts. The symptoms were only mechanical noise (front differential) and driveline vibration (transfer case). The dealer confirmed that BMW issued…
Mar 20, 2025Back over prevention › Rearview system braking
I am filing this complaint regarding a persistent safety issue with the rear cross traffic alert (RCTA) system in my 2022 BMW X7. The system consistently fails to detect approaching vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists unless they are within approximately two feet of the rear of the vehicle. This extremely limited detection range renders the system effectively useless for its intended purpose of preventing collisions while reversing, especially in environments such as parking lots, residential streets, and school zones. On multiple occasions, both my wife and I have experienced near accidents while reversing, including incidents involving moving vehicles and pedestriansâsome of whom were…
May 14, 2025Electrical system
The vehicle had a spill in the cup holder. The cup holder has holes and does not hold liquid. This spilled into the electronics underneath and around it. The car suddenly could not be put into park. It would roll when attempting to do so. The electronics control park and the emergency brake from the same electronic panel. Preventing save disabling of the vehicle required chalking to prevent movement.
May 18, 2025
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.