2016 BMW X1 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 BMW X1 has a complaint index of 92, ranking 2nd worst among 14 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners reported 163 complaints, led by transmission and powertrain issues, plus 4 recalls covering airbags, seat belts, structure, and steering.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 14 X1 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 163
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 BMW X1 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other64 (39%)
- Transmission & Powertrain34 (21%)
- Visibility & Wipers20 (12%)
- Structure & Body18 (11%)
- Electrical System15 (9%)
- Engine11 (7%)
- Brakes8 (5%)
- Airbags5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
- Steering4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission or gearbox jumping out of gear or lurching, sometimes forcing evasive steering.
- Some drivers describe a hesitation of one to several seconds when accelerating from a stop, which they say created dangerous merging or intersection situations.
- Steering has locked up briefly while turning at low speed for some owners, resolving after restarting the ignition.
- A passenger seat fuse reportedly blew repeatedly with visible sparking under the seat, disabling nearby controls.
- Frontal airbags and knee airbags failed to deploy in at least one reported collision.
- The automatic hands-free tailgate has reportedly closed unexpectedly while owners were loading or unloading cargo.
2016 BMW X1 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V349000May 9, 2019Structure & Body106,182 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
- NHTSA 17V062000Jan 26, 2017Airbags16,771 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 X1 xDrive28i and X1 sDrive28i vehicles. The affected vehicles have an instrument panel that may not allow the front passenger air bag to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 16V747000Oct 17, 2016Seat Belts15,455 vehicles
Seat belts:front:retractor
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.
2016 BMW X1 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2016 compared with other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 BMW X1 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 X1 ranks 2nd worst out of 14 model years with a complaint index of 92 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW X1?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead with 34 complaints (21% share), followed by visibility and wiper problems (20 complaints) and structure and body issues (18 complaints).
- Does the 2016 BMW X1 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 X1, covering structure/B-pillar trim, airbags, seat belts, and steering, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year BMW X1 should I avoid?
- Among X1 years with data, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2023 all carry an Avoid verdict, with 2017 having the highest complaint index at 100.
- At what mileage do 2016 BMW X1 problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 36,000 miles, though transmission problems trend later at a median of 56,500 miles.