2014 BMW X1 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 BMW X1 has a Complaint Index of 77 and ranks 4th worst out of 14 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. It has 112 complaints, 6 recalls, and its top problem area is airbags at 37% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 77/100
- #4 of 14 X1 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 112
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2014 BMW X1 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags41 (37%)
- Engine34 (30%)
- Electrical System32 (29%)
- Other16 (14%)
- Brakes10 (9%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Structure & Body7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Seat Belts2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision, part of the Takata inflator recall population.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration to 80-90 mph after leaving a parking spot, ending in a crash.
- The stop/start system shut the engine off at a red light and owners report a brief power-assist brake failure and rollover into another car.
- Brakes were reported to malfunction at low speed, causing a rear-end crash that the dealer could not duplicate.
- Electrical fires started behind the front door handle or under the hood, with smoke entering the cabin through the ventilation system.
- A door-ajar warning appeared on the dash with all doors closed, requiring a dealer software update.
2014 BMW X1 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 BMW X1 a bad year?
- Compared to other X1 model years, 2014 ranks 4th worst out of 14 years with a Complaint Index of 77 and an Avoid verdict. It has 112 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW X1?
- Airbags account for 37% of complaints, followed by the engine at 30% and the electrical system at 29%. NHTSA also lists brakes, fuel system, and structure/body issues.
- Does the 2014 BMW X1 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V017000 covers driver air bag replacement on certain 2013-2015 X1 models, related to the broader Takata airbag recall campaigns.
- What mileage do 2014 X1 problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 68,000 miles, though airbag complaints had a lower median mileage of 22,500 miles and brake complaints 26,525 miles.
- Which X1 model years are better than 2014?
- 2019 and 2020 both earn a Best verdict with Complaint Index scores of 15 and 23. The 2013 X1 earns a Good verdict with a Complaint Index of 46, well below the 2014 model's 77.