The Moroccan centre-back limped off 36 minutes into the first half of Saturday's 2-1 win over Hoffenheim with a suspected thigh injury and was promptly replaced by Rafinha.
Bayern have yet to confirm the exact nature of the injury but sporting director Matthias Sammer admitted that the early prognosis does not look good.
"We think it's a muscular problem and I don't think it's just a minor injury," the ex-Germany international is quoted as saying by Abendzeitung Munchen.
If that is the case, Benatia will definitely miss next Saturday's visit of Leverkusen, who finished third in last season's Bundesliga.
The unavailability of the former Roma man would represent a major defensive headache for coach Pep Guardiola, as the 28-year-old's fellow centre-half Jerome Boateng was sent off in the 2-1 win at Hoffenheim.
Bayern had found themselves a goal down after just nine seconds of play in their second Bundesliga outing of the new season, with Kevin Volland opening the scoring for the home side.
However, the German champions deservedly levelled through Thomas Muller just before the break and then maintained their 100 per cent record thanks to Robert Lewandowski's last-minute goal.
Sammer admitted afterwards that Bayern are currently struggling to reproduce their very best form, but suggested no new players will be signed before the close of the transfer window.
"The team has seen today how hard it is going to be in the Bundesliga this season," Sammer added. "We still need to find our rhythm with each other.
"We're still lacking in some areas but the mentality is right. We need to show more cohesion.
"In the transfer window, everything is always possible because it is by nature so irrational. But we are not anxious to change anything too much as our squad is still great."
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