2019 BMW X7 Electrical System Problems

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.

My 2019 BMW X7 is under Safety Recall 25V-644 for an overheating/fire-risk defect, but the recall remedy is unavailable. The vehicle has now experienced multiple safety-related failures that appear to be progressing. BMW diagnosed the following failures: • Emergency Call System Malfunction • GPS and maps not working • Failure of the TCB telematics module • Failure of the antenna and TCB battery due to fluid ingress • Battery voltage in the red zone • All four tire pressure sensors beginning to fail • Collapsed engine mounts attributed to heat • $11,296 in repair estimates related to electrical and heat damage Immediately after picking up the vehicle from BMW service, a new battery/charging system warning light appeared that was NOT present before the visit. This suggests further deterioration of the electrical system. The combination of: • an open fire-risk recall with no fix available, • fluid ingress damaging telematics components, • multiple electrical and safety-system failures, and • new warning lights appearing after service makes this vehicle unsafe to operate, especially for long-distance highway travel. I am requesting that NHTSA document this as a safety-defect case and assist in ensuring BMW provides a safe resolution.

My vehicle just stopped, in the middle of a busy 95 South Cross Bronx Expressway.

Our car stopped at light and then wouldn’t start back up. Had roadside assistance come and battery is normal. I’m stranded at the moment blocking a lane and it seems to be the starter. There is a recall on starters from 2019-2020 on X7. My VIN is not included so the recall should be expanded.

When trying to start the vehicle it will say that the starter has overheated and to try restarting again in xx seconds. This occurs randomly and the car does not indicate that the engine is over heating, just the starter. When looking online it appears there is an active recall for this very issue but my VIN is not registered with the recall. BMW believes that my car should be covered under this warranty and advised filing a report with the NHTSA to have it extended to my car. The vehicle is a 2019 and was produced in March of 2019.

Engine starter of my BMW X7 failed and required replacement. BMW has issued a safety recall "campaign number 24V-576: Engine Starter" related to this issue. Engine starter on my vehicle failed before I had a chance to get software upgrade as suggested by BMW.

I have a 2019 bmw x7 and having an issue with the shark fin antenna leaking water shorting my tcu and pcu causing an emergency call system malfunction aswell as a chassis error. This is the 3rd time having to get this fixed. First 2 times were covered under warranty third time I have to pay $3100 which is not acceptable knowing that bmw knows of this issue

The contact owns a 2019 BMW X7. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light with his son inside the vehicle, the vehicle STOP/START function activated and the engine shut off; however, when the light turned green the contact attempted to drive; however, the vehicle failed to restart or operate as intended. The contact stated that there was a message displayed that the engine and the starter had overheated. The contact stated that the vehicles behind had to go around the vehicle. The contact was concerned for the safety of his son and himself due to the failure. The local Police Department was contacted and arrived on the scene to control the flow of traffic. A tow truck arrived on the scene and towed the vehicle to a parking lot. The contact stated that the following day the vehicle was towed to a local dealer and the recall repair was performed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the replacement of the starter was an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 85,000.

October 10, 2024, I was pulling out of my job’s parking lot when I was attempting to brake before pulling out into traffic on the Main Street. My vehicle would not stop despite my having the brakes to the floor. I was almost in traffic before the brakes started to work. On October 18, 2024, I experienced the same problem when I was pulling out of a gas station and tried to stop before pulling into traffic on the main road. My vehicle would not stop despite my having my brakes pressed to the floor and me pumping the brakes multiple times. It eventually stopped after I was already out in traffic and panicking.

On October 18, 2024 I got a check engine light after starting my vehicle when leaving the grocery store. I stopped at a mechanic shop near by and was told the code they pulled stated that there was an “Air Flap Control Malfunction.” I’ experienced this same issue a year earlier on December 15, 2024 when I got an engine warning light that stayed on and it gave this same error message. Before I could take the vehicle to the dealership it went out and did not come back on until October 18th. I currently have my vehicle at the dealership to be diagnosed by them, but the light was not on when I took the vehicle to them.

The started dies on my car. BMW issued a notification stating that there was a defect with the starter and a software patch had to be installed by the dealer. Without the patch, the notice indicated that the starter could overlap and die - which is what happened to my car. I had to have it towed - it died in the middle of a busy intersection. The notice indicted that drivers would be reimbursed for repairs that had to be made due to the issue. I had to have my starter replaced. I have requested assistance from the dealer and from BMW directly for months and nothing has happened. The repaid cost me over $1500. I would like to be reimbursed. The vehicle has approximately 65,000 miles.

The Vehicle made an emergency call to Our Local Police Department in Florida, The police contacted me because I was out of Town in Boise, Idaho. the dispatcher told me they were searching for the car and it was heading from a Restaurant to a private residence which wasn't ours. They were waiting for additional back-up as to the number of distress calls. I was at a loss until my Wife said that our Adult Son [XXX] ) needed the Car while his was in the shop. We were very concerned about his safety. I called him on his cellphone and asked if everything was okay. He stated the Police had several cars in the front of his home and he stated the Dash of the car was calling for help, He said I went for some chicken after Church and it was raining pretty hard. He didn't hit any buttons or ask for any assistance from the vehicles SOS button and also couldn't reset it or turn off. Of Course the Officers wanted to talk to his spouse and children to verify their well being. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle starter failed to crank the engine. You can smell electric type smoke coming from the under carriage. Vehicle stopped at a light and could not move. Nearly caused a crash or worse a fire. No warning lights or indicators. Just won’t start and smoke.

While operating the x7, liquid from a loose lid of a cup was spilled (not in excess of 2oz) onto the console area as it was being placed into temperature controlled cupholders just forward of the gear shifter. This minimal amount of liquid caused the parking mechanism- GWS SHIFTER to short/fry rendering the car unable to shift gears. A message that the "P Button Not Working" and instruction to "hold the start/stop button down for 3 seconds" to make the car go into park was given. The Park button, shifter and start/stop buttons are located in the console behind the cup holders. This is a GREAT danger because this complete system failure can happen with MINIMAL liquid contact from incidental spills and the car becomes immovable. My car had to be towed to the dealer to have the GWS Shifter REPLACED and reprogramed and was VERY costly, and NOT covered by BMW warranty. BMW North America is aware of liquid in the cup holder area causing issues to the mechanical systems as a class action lawsuit was just unveiled due to liquid causing air bag problems. The airbag and gas shifter are housed in the same location. Please investigate this as this is a family vehicle (for us) and the provided cup holders are very likely to be used. This failure can cause a person and/or family to be in great danger if they suddenly cannot control their car.

The SOS malfunctions by disabling the center display panel. The satellite radio and navigation don’t work. An error message populates the main dash display and cannot be reset by driver. The SOS device box is located in the rear overhead panel where it’s very difficult to access. The dealer replaced the SOS box and Li battery. After 3 weeks, the SOS malfunctions again where it randomly calls the BMW roadside assistance every few minutes. During this time, the center display screen functions are gone and replaced by a calling SOS message and all functions are inoperable. This time dealer says the rear antennae fins has water intrusion which corroded the “electrical fins.” They replaced this part. Bottom line: the most important part of the vehicle should be the most reliable part. This device should never break and water definitely should not enter the rear antenna and corrode the electrical contacts. A major safety risk and Very poor design in my opinion. Thank you for investigating this problem.

CAR WAS PURCHSED ON MARCH 30TH 2019. THE SEATING OF THE CAR WAS MULFUCTIONING EVEN BEFORE THE DELIVERY OF THE CAR. AFTER THREE HOURS OF WORKING ON THE SEATING, THEY FINALLY DECIDED AND CLAIM THE SEATS ARE OKAY, THIS IS THE FIRST FIX. TWO DAYS LATER, THE BATTERY LIGHT STILL KEPT ON AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO CHECK, WHILE CHECKING THE CAR, WE DISCOVED THAT THE BACK SEATS ARE STILL NOT WORKING, SO WE HAD THE CAR THERE FOR 2WEEKS FOR THEM TO FIX THE SEAT. APRIL 13TH, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THE SEATS SO WE WENT IN TO GET THE CAR, NOW THIS TIME THE BACK SEATS ARE WORKING BUT THE FRONT SEATS ARE NOT WORKING AND THEY HAD TO TAKE THE CAR AGAIN TO GET FIXED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME. NOW, WE HAVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THIS CAR AND SIMPLY WANTS TO EXCHANGE OR RETURN THIS CAR BUT THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT THE COMPUTER ISSUE IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE CAR AND REFUSE TO EXCHANGE OR RETURN. THE SEATS OF THE CAR DID NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF THE POSTION OR MOTION OF THE CAR.