2016 BMW X1 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
186
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
27
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 BMW X1
The 2016 BMW X1 has received a total of 186 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). 27 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (64 complaints), Power Train (30 complaints), and Visibilitywiper (18 complaints).
Recalls for the 2016 BMW X1
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2016 BMW X1, potentially affecting up to 121,639 vehicles.
Recall 19V349000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
| 106,182 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. In the event of a crash where the occupants head contacts the B-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant...
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vertical trim pieces on the upper portion of the interior B-Pillars, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 1, 2019. Second notices will be...
View full details →Recall 16V747000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
| 15,455 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock...
Consequence: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 15V887000 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
| 2 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicle manufactured November 24, 2015, and one BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) manufactured October, 19 2015. The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Consequence: A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will replace the steering gearbox, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 BMW X1
186 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW X1. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 64 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureinterior Panelsceiling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Known HVAC-produced moisture drainage issue that cause water to get trapped inside the system and cabin air filter housing, causing significant mold or mildew to grow on the filter itself and spread spores through cabin ventilation system and contaminates air inside cabin which poses serious health hazards.
- Roof and pillars I have been having for almost a year when trying to open and slide on the track. It is harsh and noisy. - Engine oil filter housing and coolant leak. This issue is critical. Finally on April 10, 2025 I ended spending $1007.52 to get the housing replaced to stop the ongoing drip drip effect. - Steering gear box. This issue remains despite the fact that I replaced struts. For almost a year since I bought the vehicle, there appears to be a clunking type noise especially when going over rail tracks on the road where I am forced to almost come to a complete stop to let the car go over the tracks out of fear of sustaining damage.
- Roof and pillars I have been having for almost a year when trying to open and slide on the track. It is harsh and noisy. - Engine oil filter housing and coolant leak. This issue is critical. Finally on April 10, 2025 I ended spending $1007.52 to get the housing replaced to stop the ongoing drip drip effect. - Steering gear box. This issue remains despite the fact that I replaced struts. For almost a year since I bought the vehicle, there appears to be a clunking type noise especially when going over rail tracks on the road where I am forced to almost come to a complete stop to let the car go over the tracks out of fear of sustaining damage.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 81,295, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 135,400.
My 2016 BMW X1 28i is leaking coolant. I am also getting a smell of something burning inside the car when driving. This is consistent with problems associated with the 2024 recall for water pump. I was told by my dealership that my vehicle was not one affected by the recall. I think it might be one that is. The vehicle could catch fire if there is a failure of the wiring.
Safety Rating for the 2016 BMW X1
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 BMW X1 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 BMW X1
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 27 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 BMW X1. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B640621 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents).
B120420 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
MIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. After engine start the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and Check Control message (ID 29) "Engine fault! Power loss" are displayed in the instrument cluster. In addition The following fault codes are stored in the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) Engine runs in failsafe mode...
B611819 — EQUIPMENT
VEHICLE WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE CONTROL KEY BUTTON. The vehicle cannot be unlocked using the remote control key button. However, comfort access operates normally at the front door handles and the tailgate.
B522219 — SEATS
NOISE DURING FORWARD/BACK SEAT ADJUSTMENT OVER THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF TRAVEL: A loud screeching noise can be heard from the front driver's or passenger's seat during forward/back seat adjustment.
B512617 — STRUCTURE
CREAKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B51 26 17 dated September 2017. Creaking (groaning) noises are heard from above the door. Excessive friction between the door seals and the body's door opening.
B513117 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
Tailgate latch is squeaking: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B51 31 17 dated September 2017. The tailgate latch is squeaking when opening or closing the tailgate. The latch has become contaminated with dirt.
B121319 — EQUIPMENT
SERVICE ACTION: LOCK THE DME FAULT MEMORY (F39 F48). The fault memory lock in Digital Motor Electronics (DME) control unit was not activated. An activated lock would prevent the manual deletion of permanent fault codes. The DME fault memory lock has not been set.
B610719 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SERVICE ACTION: BODY DOMAIN CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT. During vehicle production there is the possibility that the cavity preservation wax leaked from the body and dripped onto the Body Domain Controller (BDC) and its wiring harness connector.
B010419 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
B46O PZEV/SULEV ENGINE - FUEL TANK VENT (PURGE) VALVE: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILEAGE. The vehicle's malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) lights up.
B512317 — STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
HUMMING NOISE DURING SMOOTH ACCELERATION: A humming, vibration noise is heard during smooth acceleration to 2000 rpm.
Showing 10 of 27 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 BMW X1
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW X1
- 2012 BMW X1 — 0 complaints
- 2013 BMW X1 — 57 complaints
- 2014 BMW X1 — 88 complaints
- 2015 BMW X1 — 86 complaints
- 2016 BMW X1 (current)
- 2017 BMW X1 — 206 complaints
- 2018 BMW X1 — 75 complaints
- 2019 BMW X1 — 16 complaints
- 2020 BMW X1 — 18 complaints
- 2021 BMW X1 — 10 complaints