2015 BMW X1 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 BMW X1 has a Complaint Index of 69 and ranks 5th out of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 94 complaints, 4 recalls, and 5 fires, with Engine issues making up 46% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 69/100
- #5 of 14 X1 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 94
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2015 BMW X1 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment smoke or fire reported while driving at highway or city speeds, sometimes with the check engine light on beforehand.
- Vehicle enters limp mode and stalls after the engine begins running poorly, in one case leading to a tow.
- Frontal airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a rear-end collision and a head-on collision.
- Owners report loss of brake pressure or unexpected engine revving above 3,000 rpm when braking, in one case causing a crash into parked vehicles.
- An electrical system failure was described as the vehicle catching fire while parked in a driveway.
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 69 and ranks 5th worst out of 14 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other X1 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X1?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine problems lead at 46% of complaints (43 complaints), followed by Electrical System issues at 34% (32 complaints) and Airbags at 32% (30 complaints).
- Does the 2015 BMW X1 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 19V016000 for driver frontal airbag inflators specific to 2015 X1 models, plus two related airbag recalls (20V017000 and 16V071000) covering broader model ranges.
- How many recalls and complaints does the 2015 BMW X1 have?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 94 owner complaints for the 2015 BMW X1, including 5 fires, 4 crashes, and 3 injuries.
- Should I avoid the 2015 BMW X1?
- The 2015 X1 carries a Caution verdict, meaning it has more reported problems than the best X1 years like 2019 and 2020, but it is not the worst; 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2023 carry Avoid verdicts.