2015 BMW X1 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
62/100
#6 most-complained of 14 X1 years
The 2015 BMW X1 has a Complaint Index of 62, ranking 6th worst out of 14 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 94 complaints, 4 recalls, 5 fires, and 4 crashes for this year, with Engine issues the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 94
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 32 hwy
Top 2015 BMW X1 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine43 (46%)
- Electrical System32 (34%)
- Airbags30 (32%)
- Other10 (11%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
What owners report
- Engine compartments have produced smoke and caught fire while driving at highway and city speeds, sometimes preceded by illuminated check engine or warning lights.
- Some vehicles entered limp mode or died after the engine began running poorly, requiring towing to a dealer.
- Frontal airbags failed to deploy during crashes, including a rear-end collision at a red light that resulted in head, neck, and chest injuries.
- One owner reported the brake pedal causing the engine to rev instead of slowing the car, forcing a panic stop to avoid a collision.
- An electrical system failure was described as the vehicle catching fire while parked in a driveway after being off for several hours.
2015 BMW X1 recalls
4 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 19V016000Jan 14, 2019Airbags12,880 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, and X1 xDrive35i vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the driver frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2015 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.
2015 compared with other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW X1 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 X1 has a Complaint Index of 62 and ranks 6th worst of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other X1 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X1?
- Engine problems make up 46% of complaints (43 of 94), followed by Electrical System issues at 34% and Airbags at 32%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2015 BMW X1 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 X1, covering the water pump/electrical system and three separate airbag inflator or module recalls.
- Are there fire risks with the 2015 BMW X1?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 5 fire reports and 4 crashes for the 2015 X1, with several fires linked to the Engine problem area.
- How does the 2015 X1 compare to other years?
- The 2015 X1's Complaint Index of 62 is worse than 2013 (38), 2019 (15), and 2020 (23), but better than 2016 (92), 2017 (100), and 2014 (77), which are all flagged Avoid.