2016 BMW X1

Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2016 BMW X1 — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.

What owners report breaking

Top 8

The parts named most often across 159 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”

Unknown or other5434%
4 injured
Power train2918%
Visibility/wiper159%
Structure128%
Service brakes74%
Electrical system64%
1 fire
Engine43%
Air bags32%

Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.

SourceNHTSA Complaintschecked Jul 24, 2026, 4:11 AM

Safety recalls

3 open

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR17/10/2016

Issue: 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 as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Risk: 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.

Campaign 16V747000

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS09/05/2019

Issue: 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 Protection in Interior Impact."

Risk: 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 sent as parts become available, starting on September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Campaign 19V349000

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)30/12/2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Campaign 15V887000

SourceNHTSA Recallschecked Jul 24, 2026, 4:11 AM

Owner complaints

159 filed

159

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

UNKNOWN OR OTHER01/05/2026

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.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM06/17/2025

- 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM06/09/2025

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER06/02/2025

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.

VISIBILITY/WIPER06/02/2025

About 24 months back the sunroof curtain of my BMW X1 started having problems when I retract or operate it. It used to make stretching noises when I tried to open my sunroof and after a few times I heard a crackling noise and before I can stop it the curtain tore. Initially it was a small tear, so it did not bother much but over time the curtain completely left the guide/rail on one side and started sagging. Given it is a sunroof the curtain is as long as the vehicle and so now it is sagging to a point that it obstructs driver's visibly in back mirror. BMW won't do anything about it saying it is out of warranty and ultimately to avoid accidents I had to remove the curtain completely. I also tried getting it fixed, but the issue is not just the curtain but the rails of the curtain which is a non-replaceable part :( I would have to replace full sunshade assembly which is upwards of $1600. Also, it seems to be a common problem with these vehicles. Here are more examples of it: [XXX] . Please help me and other drivers be safe on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STRUCTURE05/08/2025

Sunroof shade came off the tracks and is now sagging partially obstructing the view of my rear view mirror, if this sags more or falls off completely I will be unable to see out the rear window and can cause a collision. I see this has been an issue with multiple vehicles and should be addressed with the company immediately.

POWER TRAIN04/26/2025

Every time I get in or out of my car, the secure vehicle against rolling indicator light comes on.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER01/28/2025

Error message when getting in the truck says “Secure vehicle against rolling”.

POWER TRAIN01/17/2025

The car is indicating the I need to press the parking brake to secure the car from rolling after I have placed it in park and pressed the electronic parking brake.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER01/08/2025

"Secure vehicle from rolling" keeps coming on the dashboard when I turn the car off or put into park.

TIRES12/05/2024

225/50 R18. Purchased in March 2024 and tread is already at 4/32 and 5/32 as of Dec 2024 for 2 of them. Tires driven for 13K miles. This is completely unacceptable and unsafe. I believe there is a defect, for tires to be so new and tread to be degrading so quickly.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER12/04/2024

After I got my 2016 BMW X1 from Service, I heard a rough sound when I reversed the vehicle from Park. After a few days, I noticed my vehicle showing an error saying "Secure Vehicle against rolling" every time I parked the vehicle and advising me to use my hand brake. I then did some search on the web and finally took it for servicing at BMW Rockville, Maryland where the service department is managed by Auto Nation. They gave me a quote for around $2500 to fix this issue. Based on the research of this issue on the web, it looks like a $10 spring malfunction causes this issue. I have less than 55,000 miles on my vehicle. I am not sure if this issue is caused by some incorrect service work performed by Auto Nation The report from Auto Nation is at the link below [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Showing 12 of 159 complaints.

SourceNHTSA Complaintschecked Jul 24, 2026, 4:11 AM

Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

Not rated

NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model/year (common for older, low-volume, or heavy-duty vehicles).

SourceNHTSA NCAP Safety Ratingschecked Jul 24, 2026, 4:11 AM

Fuel economy & running cost

No match

No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).

SourceEPA fueleconomy.govchecked Jul 24, 2026, 4:11 AM

Checking one specific BMW X1?

Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.

Run a VIN →

Other BMW X1 model years

Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every BMW X1 year.

🔧What owners report breaking

⚠️Safety recalls

💬Owner complaints

🛡️Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

⛽Fuel economy & running cost

Checking one specific BMW X1?

Other BMW X1 model years

⛽Fuel economy & running cost

⚠️Safety recalls

🛡️Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

🔧What owners report breaking

💬Owner complaints

What owners report breaking

Safety recalls

Owner complaints

Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

Fuel economy & running cost

Fuel economy & running cost

Safety recalls

Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

What owners report breaking

Owner complaints