2017 BMW X1 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 BMW X1 ranks worst among all 14 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 164 complaints tied to 4 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 35% of complaints, followed by brakes at 16% and electrical issues at 15%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 14 X1 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 164
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 31.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
Top 2017 BMW X1 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain57 (35%)
- Other52 (32%)
- Brakes27 (16%)
- Electrical System25 (15%)
- Structure & Body25 (15%)
- Engine14 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
- Airbags3 (2%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear liftgate or power tailgate closes or opens on its own while parked or while occupants are loading cargo, sometimes striking a person or pet.
- Vehicle displays a warning that it may roll after being placed in park, with owners advised to apply the emergency brake.
- Front passenger airbag may fail to deploy properly due to an instrument panel issue covered under recall.
- Brake calipers reported to rust and fail to hold pads against rotors evenly, requiring repeated repair.
- Rear doors have opened on their own while the vehicle was stopped and locked, without driver input.
2017 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 16V914000Dec 20, 2016Airbags3,506 vehicles
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2017 BMW X1 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,125
- 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.
2017 compared with other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 BMW X1 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 X1 ranks worst of the 14 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict relative to other X1 years.
- What is the main problem with the 2017 BMW X1?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 35% of complaints, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 59,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 BMW X1 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 X1, covering airbags, seat belts, and structure/body components, including an instrument panel airbag deployment issue.
- How does the 2017 X1 compare to other years?
- The 2017 X1 has the highest complaint index (100) among all 14 model years tracked; by contrast, 2019 and 2020 rate Best with indexes of 15 and 23.
- Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2017 X1?
- NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 11 injuries reported for the 2017 X1, with no fires or deaths.