BMW X1 years to avoid
More than twice the X1's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best BMW X1 years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
BMW X1 complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common BMW X1 problems
All model years combined.
- Electrical144
- Engine143
- Brakes123
- Transmission117
- Driver assistance75
- Body66
- Airbags29
- Visibility28
- Fuel system19
- Steering16
- Suspension12
- Seat belts12
BMW X1 problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 1 | Brakes | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2025 | - | 17 | Electrical | 3 | 3 | ||
| 2024 | - | 30 | Brakes | 3 | 3 | ||
| 2023 | - | 71 | Brakes | 8,000 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 95 | 1 | Engine | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | 82 | 11 | Airbags | 1 | 4 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2020 | 82 | 13 | Transmission | 1 | 1 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2019 | 82 | 13 | Electrical | 3 | 1 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2018 | 62 | 60 | Body | 13,000 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2017 | 35 | 156 | Transmission | 50,210 | 2 | 3 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 34 | 159 | Transmission | 42,000 | 3 | 1 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 75 | 52 | Engine | 90,000 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 73 | 55 | Engine | 90,000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 80 | 39 | Engine | 96,000 | 2 | 3 |
Recalls 20
BMW X1 warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has...
- Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare...
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been...
- The limited warranty for the automatic transmissions Selector Lever Magnetic Shift Interlock Mechanism...
- The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or...
- The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or...
- For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or...
- Evap system purge (vent) valve ext ltd wty (elw) 15/150
Questions about the BMW X1
What years of the BMW X1 should you avoid?
2016 and 2017. Each has more than twice the BMW X1's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2016 alone has 159, mostly about transmission and visibility.
What is the best year for a used BMW X1?
2021, 2019 and 2020 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (11, 13 and 13).
What is the most common problem with the BMW X1?
Electrical, with 144 complaints across all years, followed by engine (143) and brakes (123).
How many recalls does the BMW X1 have?
20 recalls between 2013 and 2026. The 2023 model year has the most, with 6.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used BMW X1?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history