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BMW X7 X7 M60i xDrive common faults.

2022–, SUV, petrol, 530 HP.

The fault list covers: N63B44T3 engine, ZF8HP75, ZF8HP90 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

4 fault write-ups. All are important. 7 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

critical2

N63 V8: failing piezo injectors and hydraulic lock in the cylinder

critical

On this engine the injectors were also listed as parts to be replaced in the maker's own programme, which means their failure is a known one. A faulty injector puts too much fuel into the cylinder. The liquid cannot be compressed, so the piston hits it on its way up: this is hydraulic lock, and it can damage the connecting rod bearing and the connecting rod as well. The early sign is rough running and hard starting. The fault can start from 60,000 km. The maker ran a separate programme for this engine, called the Customer Care Package, from December 2014. The franchised dealers had to check seven parts: the timing chain, the fuel injectors, the mass air flow sensor, the crankcase vent lines, the battery, the vacuum pump and the low pressure fuel sensor. These had to be replaced free of charge, even if the car had already fallen out of the four-year, 50,000-mile warranty. The same programme also shortened the oil change interval: 10,000 miles or one year instead of 15,000 miles or two years. Before buying it is therefore worth asking whether this programme was carried out on the car.

above 60,000 km

What to check

  • Ask whether the Customer Care Package was carried out, and whether the injectors were replaced
  • Start the engine cold and watch for hard starting and rough running
  • Read the fault memory and look for a code reporting a misfire on a specific cylinder
2 more steps in the write-up

N63 V8: a stretching timing chain and broken guides blocking the oil system

critical

The timing chain stretches between 80,000 and 120,000 km, and the plastic chain guides break. The broken pieces end up in the sump and block the lubrication system. From then on the engine is starved of oil, which takes the bearings and the turbochargers with it. The early sign is a metallic rattling from the front of the engine on a cold start. The stretching of the chain also features in the American class actions, alongside the extreme oil consumption. The maker ran a separate programme for this engine, called the Customer Care Package, from December 2014. The franchised dealers had to check seven parts: the timing chain, the fuel injectors, the mass air flow sensor, the crankcase vent lines, the battery, the vacuum pump and the low pressure fuel sensor. These had to be replaced free of charge, even if the car had already fallen out of the four-year, 50,000-mile warranty. The same programme also shortened the oil change interval: 10,000 miles or one year instead of 15,000 miles or two years. Before buying it is therefore worth asking whether this programme was carried out on the car.

between 80,000 and 120,000 km

What to check

  • Start the engine cold and listen for metallic rattling from the front of the engine
  • Ask whether the Customer Care Package was carried out, and whether the chain was replaced
  • Read the fault memory and look for a code reporting a camshaft position deviation
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

N63 V8: the valve stem seals leak and oil consumption is extreme

expensive

The valve stem seals start to lose their sealing from 90,000 km, and oil gets into the combustion chamber along the valve stem. The burning oil lays soot on the piston rings, they start to stick, and from then on the consumption grows further; the lubrication also gets tighter and the exhaust smokes. The scale of the consumption on this engine is extraordinary. In the American class action the plaintiffs report around one litre every 1,200 km, and one of them one litre every 1,600 km. In 2013 the maker issued a new oil consumption standard for this engine in a bulletin, and took the position that this is not a defect: according to it every one of its engines may use that much. The lawsuit points out that with this standard the owner has to top up the oil twenty times before reaching the factory 15,000-mile oil change interval. The maker ran a separate programme for this engine, called the Customer Care Package, from December 2014. The franchised dealers had to check seven parts: the timing chain, the fuel injectors, the mass air flow sensor, the crankcase vent lines, the battery, the vacuum pump and the low pressure fuel sensor. These had to be replaced free of charge, even if the car had already fallen out of the four-year, 50,000-mile warranty. The same programme also shortened the oil change interval: 10,000 miles or one year instead of 15,000 miles or two years. Before buying it is therefore worth asking whether this programme was carried out on the car. The repair means opening the cylinder head, and because of the V layout of the engine on both sides.

above 90,000 km

What to check

  • Ask how much oil has to be added between two changes, and ask for a figure
  • Ask whether the Customer Care Package programme was carried out, and ask for the confirmation
  • Read the service book: the shortened, one-year oil change cycle is expected here
2 more steps in the write-up

ZF 8HP automatic: mechatronics unit and connector sleeve leak

expensive

The ZF eight speed automatic (BMW Steptronic 8HP family) has two faults, and you can feel both.

Show the rest

The first is the mechatronics unit: the valve body and the control electronics in one. If the solenoids or the pressure regulation weaken, the gearbox jerks, the D/R engagement is delayed, it logs a gear ratio fault code, and finally drops into limp mode (often staying in 2nd or 3rd).

The second, and often misdiagnosed, is the connector sleeve of the mechatronics unit: the O-ring of the plastic sleeve ages, and ATF leaks from the side of the housing, exactly where the wiring harness enters. This is easy to mistake for a rear crankshaft seal. The trail starts from the driver's side of the housing, not from the clutch side.

On cars built in 2023 there was also a separate safety recall for a welding fault in the mechatronics unit. That is not the same as the wear related sleeve and the valves.

Check the fluid level, the area around the sleeve and the fault codes first; do not accept a "full gearbox replacement" quote straight away.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • On the test drive watch for delayed D/R engagement, a jerk when shifting, and limp mode (a stuck gear)
  • Look at the driver's side of the gearbox housing where the wiring harness enters: an ATF trail from the sleeve is suspect
  • Do not confuse it with a rear crankshaft seal leak: the direction of the trail decides
3 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW X7 X7 M60i xDrive

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall7 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 2 November 2022

22V820000VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDVISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD2 November 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.

Risk: An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

22V725000EXTERIOR LIGHTINGEXTERIOR LIGHTING29 September 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X7 xDrive40i, and X7 M60i vehicles. In certain vehicle operating conditions, only one of the two front parking lights may remain illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: A loss of illumination from one of the parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control unit for the front parking lights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

22V267000VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYVISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY20 April 2022 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

A12/00996/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby requiring greater pressure on the brake pedal. This can result in a longer braking distance, as well as failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/02134/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The gas generator in knee airbag modules was not properly inserted into the air cushion, resulting in the cushion failing to unfold sufficiently. As a result, it may not be able to deploy correctly in the event of an accident, leading to a reduction in the restraint effect, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/00053/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The hollow shaft of the servomotor was not welded correctly. The weld may not be able to withstand high braking pressure build-up and may break. In this case, the reduced braking performance requires greater force and the braking distance may increase. In addition, the ABS and DSC brake control systems are not assisted. This increases the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/03823/25Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The engine starter’s electrical contacts may overheat and cause the vehicle to start improperly. Continued starting attempts can intensify the overheating and ignite surrounding components, potentially leading to a vehicle fire while driving or shortly after parking. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

1 engines · 2 transmissions

N63B44T3

390 kW (530 HP) · petrol

ZF8HP75 · 8-speed automatic, longitudinal (ZF 8HP75)

automatic · 8 speed

Torque limit750 Nm
MakerZF

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one transmission is possible. The gear count does not tell them apart. The code is on the side of the transmission.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
X7 M60i xDrive
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
4395 cc
Power
390 kW (530 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2022–

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All G07 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms