Our vehicle's check engine light came on, and we took it to the dealership as it is still under factory warranty. The dealership determined upper radiator blind slat was broken and detached due to an impact. I completely disagree as there is no signs of impact, and there are only signs that this is a poorly designed part. About two weeks after this first event, I was looking for a way to fix this myself as the dealership was wanting close to $2,500 for repairs. While inspecting, I noticed that there was another broken one already. These parts are just poorly made and will not withstand the use required under BMW's design. It is a small thin piece of plastic that will wear and break over time. These are supposed to aid in fuel conservation, but it just seems like a poor design to me. When doing a little internet search, it is obvious that others have had the same issue. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], while traveling at highway speeds on a public roadway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, violent, and catastrophic mechanical explosion in the front drivetrain. Without any prior warning lights, dashboard messages, or operational symptoms, the front differential and driveshaft structurally shattered. The physical violence of the drivetrain components exploding at high speed sent metallic shrapnel directly into the engine compartment. This flying shrapnel pierced the structural engine block, completely destroying the engine and causing immediate, total power loss while surrounded by highway traffic. This sudden loss of propulsion and mechanical locking created an extreme, life-threatening hazard to myself and surrounding motorists. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership (Motorwerks BMW, Bloomington, MN). The service department confirmed the mechanical sequence: the front differential structurally failed first, and its catastrophic disintegration directly caused the secondary destruction of the engine block. The formal repair estimate is $66,124.76. BMW of North America Executive Care has formally reviewed the case and issued a written admission of fault regarding the drivetrain components, offering to cover the differential and driveshaft repairs. However, they are refusing to remedy the catastrophic engine destruction caused directly by their failed safety component. This component failure represents a severe, systemic structural safety risk that warrants an immediate federal safety investigation into 2019–2022 BMW X7/X5 front differential assemblies before an explosion results in a fatal highway collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle only have 60k miles my starter is acting up. I’m getting a repeat start message at some start ups. 2017-2020 has a starter recall. I feel like this may be the same recall but not recognized yet
NHTSA complaint #11752799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We came from [XXX] to [XXX] at night. It was rainy in [XXX]. We parked the vehicle in the front of the garage door of the house and went to sleep. Around 8:00-9:00AM two police cars from [XXX] PD came to our house. The officer said that the vehicle calls to BMW or 911 as an emergency and they forwarder that call to FPD. The officers checked the vehicle and they figured that the vehicle did the emergency call when was parked. Now, the emergency call system is not working, because of the bad factory sealant in the top of the roof and the water leaks exactly to the Telecomunication module (TCM). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11749192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The shark fin antenna seal on my BMW failed, allowing water to enter the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). This caused a complete failure of the vehicle’s Emergency SOS / BMW Assist crash notification system. The failure occurred without any warning messages or prior indications that the system was compromised. Because the TCU controls the vehicle’s automatic crash notification and emergency call functions, this failure disabled a critical safety system. This defect placed me and my family at risk, as the vehicle would not be able to automatically contact emergency services in the event of a collision or other serious incident. The failure first occurred in April 2026. I immediately contacted my BMW dealership’s service center, where the service advisor acknowledged that the shark fin seal had issues causing this to happen (water intrusion). However, instead of treating this as a safety defect, I was told to file an insurance claim. I also contacted BMW Customer Service, but both the dealership and BMW declined responsibility and refused to cover the repair. The shark fin antenna seal is a manufacturer‑installed, non‑serviceable component. Its failure directly disabled a federally regulated safety system without warning. BMW’s refusal to address this issue leaves the safety defect unresolved and exposes other owners to the same risk.
NHTSA complaint #11745382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 correctly. In the event of a severe crash or medical emergency, the vehicle's automated collision notification system will fail to contact first responders or transmit the vehicle’s GPS location. The manufacturer has acknowledged the defect to me but refuses to cover the repair outside of the narrow 50,000-mile warranty window, nor have they expanded their regional California legal settlements to protect drivers nationwide. Because this factory defect directly compromises a critical federal safety communications component, I request that the NHTSA open an official investigation into BMW model years 2017–2023 to mandate a nationwide safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11737594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA COMPLAINT (VERY IMPORTANT – SAFETY FOCUSED) Subject: Safety Complaint – BMW X7 Electrical Defect and Fire Risk (VIN: [XXX] ) To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding a 2020 BMW X7 xDrive40i affected by Recall No. 24V-576 (Engine Starter Defect). My vehicle has experienced: •Sudden battery failure •Electrical system malfunction •Starter-related issues consistent with recall description BMW’s recall states that the defect can cause: •Electrical overload •Starter overheating •Increased risk of engine compartment fire This is not a theoretical issue—I have already experienced a complete system failure requiring towing and major repair, placing my family and me at risk. Serious Concerns •The defect appears systemic and dangerous •The remedy (software update) does not appear sufficient •The failure occurred without adequate warning Request for Investigation I urge NHTSA to: 1.Investigate the effectiveness of BMW’s recall remedy 2.Determine whether additional defects exist in the electrical system 3.Ensure BMW provides a permanent and safe solution This issue poses a serious public safety risk, and stronger regulatory action may be necessary. Sincerely, DLAA REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, LLC, [XXX] and [XXX] ), regarding the defective BMW, YEAR 2020, MODEL: X7 xDrive40i | COLOR: OC27 ARCTIC GREY METALLIC VIN: [XXX] | CELL: [XXX] | FAX: [XXX] [XXX] | [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11732890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my 2025 X7 and the sunroof unexpectedly and spontaneously exploded above my head. I had left my house about 2 minutes prior, driving 40 mph on street near my home. I was in the middle lane of a 6-lane wide street, no car ahead of me and no cars to the side or behind me. Nothing hit my car at all. The glass from the sunroof shattered leaving a large hole, and glass was caught in the sun shade as I had it closed. Had the sun shade been open, I would’ve had glass explode in my face while driving, putting my life in danger. I also have 3 children in car seats who thankfully were not present during the incident. BMW will not acknowledge that this is a defect in the manufacturing or design and are essentially gaslighting me saying a rock hit my car. Again, no car ahead of me in the 100 yards I could see ahead that would suggest anything hit my car. No warnings from the car at all, just spontaneous glass explosion above my head. This is a design flaw at BMW that must be addressed before it kills someone.
NHTSA complaint #11729132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BMW has a known issue that the fin antenna on the roof leaks and sets off a cascade of dangerous issues with the Emergency Call function and disabling the heads up dash so that you cannot see your navigation. On April 2, 2026 in Austin, TX it rained and our car started sending an Emergency Call request repeatedly to BMW. BMW operators called repeatedly even though they knew there was no emergency and that they were actively interrupting our driving. The heads up dash would not allow us to see our maps to navigate, but only displayed a notification that an Emergency Call had been initiated. BMW needs to address and recall this antenna seal so that owners can use their cars safely (with all functions) while not paying out of pocket for BMW's failure.
NHTSA complaint #11728783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car was not starting up, I sent to my mechanic and we got it fixed. But have to change my starter , I tried to buy the starter from bmw they told me I have a recall and I can’t purchase that part until I send the car to a dealership. The car is been shipped out of the country and it’s in Ghana now. Please I really need your help to make this purchase and clear the recall
NHTSA complaint #11705762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased 2020 4 PM BMW X7. Since the time I purchased, my air conditioning has not worked properly. Due to living in the hot state of Florida and it’s been an ongoing concern with my family as I have six kids. Bmw is denying that there is any problem with my air-conditioning and always reports that it’s a normal range. All you have to do is one search on the Internet to know that I am not alone in this issue. I finally took my vehicle to another dealership that duplicated by complaint on day one. Bmw is denying any problem. Any liability any responsibility even though the vehicle is underwater They know they have a manufacturer defect and if they admit there’s a problem they would be forced to recall all of these vehicles that us consumer spent a lot of money on.
NHTSA complaint #11684359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We are the original Owner of a 2023 BMW X7 with 17,500 miles. The past 2+ months the screen/display will go blank for up to 30 seconds while driving the vehicle. Obviously this is a serious safety issue. We took the vehicle for service where it was originally purchased at BMW I will say, this issue is very disappointing, scary, and disturbing. The vehicle was originally brought into service on 7/3 and no resolution for the problem has been presented as of yet. According to the Service Advisor, multiple software updates have been applied and the screen/display has been replaced twice, still no resolution. Brought back into Dealership on 7/23/2025 for the same repeated and dangerous issue Brought back again on 8/3/2025 for the same repeated issue. We were promised it was fixed. Drove the car 4 hours, and once again the screen/display went blank.
NHTSA complaint #11681164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], at [XXX], while driving at 65 mph on [XXX] between Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, VA, the front panoramic sunroof of my 2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i spontaneously shattered without warning. The sunroof and interior sunshade were fully closed, with no prior damage or warning signs. The glass exploded with a loud gunshot-like noise, causing glass to fall into the cabin. My wife, who was driving, was startled and jerked the wheel, nearly causing an accident. Conditions were clear, and no debris or impact occurred. The fracture showed outward bowing and horizontal cracks, typical of spontaneous tensile failure in tempered glass. No impact point was found. BMW acknowledged they have “seen this before” but denied my warranty claim, blaming impact with no proof. The tow truck driver also stated his company has towed at least two other BMW X7s recently with the same failure. I have found multiple similar complaints already documented in the NHTSA database, confirming this is not an isolated case. I am submitting detailed photographs and respectfully request a formal investigation into the safety and integrity of BMW’s panoramic sunroof design and materials. I am also filing a complaint with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office to ensure this issue is reviewed at both federal and state levels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11659208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving northbound on [XXX] near West Greenwich, RI with my wife and two young children, the front sunroof glass of our 2024 BMW X7 spontaneously exploded at highway speed. There were no overhead structures or nearby vehicles that could have caused an impact. Conditions were slightly rainy. Approximately one week before this event, the vehicle displayed a warning that the sunroof was “not initialized.” I followed the reset procedure, and the message cleared. It’s unclear if that alert was related, but the sunroof’s failure seems more than coincidental. The explosion caused loud noise, exposure to weather, and panic inside the cabin. Fortunately, the cloth sunshade was closed and minimized glass intrusion. We pulled off the highway, documented the damage, and temporarily sealed the roof using materials from a local hardware store. BMW has not yet confirmed whether this repair will be covered under warranty. We were forced to fly home due to lack of a functioning vehicle. I am reporting this because it was a serious safety issue that could have resulted in greater harm under slightly different circumstances. Please investigate this issue further as it appears similar to other spontaneous sunroof failures reported in recent years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11653886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is a 2025 BMW X7 M60i purchased in New Mexico on [XXX]. The car's emergency call system and navigation became disabled on [XXX] after taking the vehicle to a car wash. Subsequently the car was brought to the BMW dealer for repairs; however, the problem recurred after several days, dashboard now showing a traction control warning light. Since the initial malfunction on [XXX], this car has been taken to the dealer for repairs on at least 3 different occasions, they have not been able to fix the problem. The car has remained in their shop since 02/28/2025, BMW dealer informed us that they are waiting to receive a "battery"; however, supply issues are to blame according to them. To date, the have not provided us with a concrete timeline regarding repairs and no clear explanation about the issue. This malfunction has been extensively documented in internet forums and complains regarding the issue are abundant. BMW and their dealers are fully aware of the issue. Our local BMW dealer advised us to bring the car to their own car wash after the initial malfunction, they are aware of the well documented defect in the fin antenna housing/sealant. There is even an ongoing class action lawsuit regarding this problem: [XXX] A malfunction of the emergency call system is not just an inconvenience, the defect poses a danger to drivers and occupants of the Class Vehicles and others who share the road with them, as water infiltration could result in the failure of vital safety equipment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11652615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’ve had multiple issues starting with a left tail light/left brake malfunction. Took my vehicle into Sewell Grapevine and they replaced the left taillight and module. After picking up my vehicle, I began having issues with my dash within a couple days of the repair mentioned above. The assisted parking began turning on by itself when the vehicle came to a complete stop. This happened multiple times while driving. I have multiple videos. I uploaded a screen shot. The dash also turned black. Returned my vehicle to Sewell, they said they recalibrated the rear view mirror and checked the connections. On [XXX] while driving home, the vehicle had an inability to drive sos call emergency services malfunction come up multiple times. The car lost all power and the steering wheel was trying to correct the vehicle until you lifted your foot off the gas peddle. This also happened multiple times while spring in excess of 70 mph on the freeway. As of today, Feb 26, 2025, my vehicle is currently at Sewell in Grapevine, Tx with no plan from the dealership on how to correct these issues. This is the second X7, same body style, that I have owned with serious safety issues like this. Sewell Grapevine had to buy back the first vehicle as they were unable to repair the first one. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11645008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car had an accident and it was hit by another car on the left side, but the camera which was assumed to record the accident, it did not. Fortunately no one get injury. But I have to pay with my insurance. BWM did not admit such fatal error. I talked to them but they said I can sue them.... 1. I went to BMW Darien, the specilist said the camera only worked when being hit by the front, but it is not true, there are 4 cameras which record 360 degree around. 2. I assumed whenever an accident happened, the camera system will be activated, but the BMW people said because the accident was not severe, then the sensors did not work. But when checking my car, the whole left side was damaged, it is not a minor hit. Thus I question how severe would it be sufficient to trigger the system. 3. I have not been to the dealer. 4. The insurance just checked the damage and send me an estimated amount to repair the car. 5. there is no message, or because I was not the driver, I did not know.
NHTSA complaint #11636245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While stopped in my vehicle waiting for another car to leave a parking space, my car shifted into neutral and then park on its own. I was able to get it started after a few tries. Then, two hours later, I was waiting at a traffic light and the car, again, shifted itself into neutral, then park, and then turned itself off. Both times, I was blocking traffic and unable to move, which could've caused a collision. Several minutes later, I was able to get it started again, but this same issue proceeded to happen two more times, both while driving slowly/stopped at traffic lights. Again, I was blocking traffic, unable to move and the car took up to 10 minutes to re-start. Thankfully, in both instances, I was slow/stopped, but given that the car shifts itself into neutral, this clearly poses a safety risk if it were to happen at even moderate speeds and would likely cause injury to myself or others. Please note a similar issue happened a year ago (where the car would shift into neutral on its own) and I took it to the dealership for inspection. They were unable to find any issues and sent me home. Now, a year later, it is happening again, and the dealership has investigated it and is claiming it is a starter issue. When checked a year ago, the dealership never mentioned any concerns with the starter. Notably, the dealership checked the starter 4 weeks ago and it was fine. I did not receive any warning lamp, message, etc. until the car shifted to neutral/turned off. At that point, I received an "engine cannot be started" error. (This vehicle was part of a safety recall relating to the starter. I received notice in September and immediately had it repaired at the dealership.)
NHTSA complaint #11630112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.