BMWX72021Overview/bmw/x7/2021/base/

2021 BMW X7

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 X7.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW X7 is a full-size luxury SUV equipped with an S8 automatic transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 15/21/17 mpg (city/highway/combined), representing BMW's flagship three-row offering within this model generation. With 36 total owner complaints recorded and 9 recalls during this model year, the vehicle falls within a complaint range that peaked at 52 issues in 2020 before trending downward toward a low of 4 complaints by 2026, suggesting gradual improvement in owner satisfaction over the vehicle's lifecycle. The dominant concern area identified across this period centers on powertrain-related issues, indicating a particular focus area for prospective buyers evaluating this model year. This trajectory toward improving reliability metrics positions the 2021 X7 as a model year where early concerns were being systematically addressed through subsequent updates, though the elevated recall count warrants due diligence during pre-purchase inspection.

Model year20262025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 11428583896. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size285/45R21/XL 113HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.5, Optional: Front: 9.5, Rear: 10.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428583896 alt 11428583897
Engine air filter13718482641 alt 13718482642
Spark plug12122455258 alt 12120057704
Battery61215B3F325 alt 61217604808
Front wiper blades61619466377
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11539494425
Cabin air filter64115A1BDB6 alt 64115A1BDB7

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length203.1 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase122 in
Curb weight5672 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X7 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.8–5.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.80 sec — 2023 M60i (Shadow Line)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020M50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.10 sec12.60 sec523 hpAWD
2020xDrive40i (Luxury) 3.0L Turbo I-65.60 sec14.20 sec335 hpAWD
2019xDrive50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.60 sec13.20 sec456 hpAWD
2019xDrive50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.70 sec13.20 sec456 hpAWD
2019xDrive50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.80 sec13.30 sec456 hpAWD
2019xDrive40i (Luxury) 3.0L Turbo I-65.40 sec14.10 sec335 hpAWD
2019xDrive40i (Luxury) 3.0L Turbo I-65.50 sec14.10 sec335 hpAWD
2019xDrive40i (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-65.70 sec14.20 sec335 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine BMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.9 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.8 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilBMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsUse new nuts only. 11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new seal: 30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs168.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug44.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug44.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: NS, Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.118", Rear: NS

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1422 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 140°22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Screw7.4 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 BMW X7 sits in a transitional dip within the generation's federal record: complaints fell to 36 from 52 in 2020 and recalls dropped to 9 from 12, while TSBs declined sharply to 290 from 354 the prior year. The improvement continued into 2022, which recorded only 18 complaints and 2 recalls, before metrics rose again in 2023 and 2024. The 2021 model year also logged one investigation — the first for the generation — though the data does not specify its scope or resolution. Top complaint categories for 2021 were Power Train and Engine (four each), Fuel/Propulsion System and Seats (three each), with two fire complaints and no crash reports. Compared to the 2019–2020 launch period, the 2021 shows meaningful progress, but it does not reach the low-water mark seen in 2022. For a used buyer, the 2021 is a reasonable choice, though the 2022 model year presents a cleaner federal record if available at a comparable price.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
290
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train4
Engine4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seats3
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System2
Service Brakes2
Power Train,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V761000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V BatteryReported 09/12/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The…

21V096000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 19/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 290 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B6527242026-05-19Air BagsA check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the…
B0103242026-05-06EngineThe EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or…
B6403202026-05-04StructureThe center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long…
B0103252026-03-06StructureThe Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in…
B6527242025-11-25Air BagsA check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific X7. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 X7 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X7 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.