YearToAvoid

2014 BMW X1 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

77/100

#4 most-complained of 14 X1 years

The 2014 BMW X1 has a Complaint Index of 77 and ranks 4th worst out of 14 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 41 complaints (37% share) and a median failure mileage of 22,500, plus 6 recalls including a driver airbag inflator issue.

Complaints
112
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
6 / 5
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
22 city / 32 hwy

Top 2014 BMW X1 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags41 (37%)
  2. Engine34 (30%)
  3. Electrical System32 (29%)
  4. Other16 (14%)
  5. Brakes10 (9%)
  6. Fuel System8 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body7 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
  9. Steering3 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (2%)

What owners report

  • Airbags, including the Takata driver-side unit, reportedly failed to deploy during crashes, leaving owners uncertain if the recall parts had been installed.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration with a loud engine roar, jumping curbs and striking objects while braking had no effect.
  • Some vehicles reportedly caught fire under the hood, with smoke entering the cabin through the ventilation system and melted engine components.
  • Electrical fires were reported starting behind door handles or touch sensors near the front doors, in one case during rain.
  • Brakes reportedly failed at low speed, causing a rear-end collision that a dealer could not later duplicate.
  • A door-ajar warning message reportedly appeared on the dashboard even with all doors closed, requiring a software update the dealer could not complete.
2014 BMW X1 complaints: complaints filed per quarter182013 Q42016 Q22017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q42025 Q1
159 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2025 Q1 (18).

2014 BMW X1 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

    BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

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

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 17V087000Feb 9, 2017Electrical System1,160 vehicles

    Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i vehicles. The affected vehicles may have battery positive (B+) cables that develop high resistance in the connections to the fuse box.

    Risk: The high resistance may result in loss of the cable's electrical connection, possibly causing an engine stall and preventing the vehicle from restarting, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the B+ cable connector with one that is silver coated and better secure it to the fuse box, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 6 recalls for the 2014 BMW X1 →

2014 BMW X1 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
32 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other X1 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012No verdict001—
2013Good38102526
2014Avoid77112626
2015Caution6294426
2016Avoid92163425

All BMW X1 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 BMW X1 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2014 X1 has a Complaint Index of 77 and ranks 4th worst among 14 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other X1 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW X1?
Airbags account for 37% of complaints (41 complaints, median mileage 22,500), followed by Engine problems at 30% (34 complaints) and Electrical System issues at 29% (32 complaints).
Does the 2014 BMW X1 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2014 X1, covering airbags, electrical system components like the battery B+ cable connector, and brake-related camshaft seal and vacuum pump issues.
How does the 2014 X1 compare to other model years?
The 2014 X1's Complaint Index of 77 is worse than 2013 (38, Good) and 2019 (15, Best), but better than 2016 and 2017, which both carry Avoid verdicts with higher indexes of 92 and 100.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 BMW X1?
The 2014 X1 gets an EPA-rated 26 mpg combined (22 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.