2019 BMW X1 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
15/100
#12 most-complained of 14 X1 years
The 2019 BMW X1 ranks 12th of 14 model years for reported problems, with a Complaint Index of 15 and a "Best" verdict. It has 11 complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires or deaths reported to NHTSA.
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 22.5 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2019 BMW X1 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (45%)
- Engine3 (27%)
- Other2 (18%)
- Structure & Body2 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (9%)
What owners report
- Vehicle suddenly shuts down while driving, with dashboard lights blinking and no restart, reported at 17000 miles.
- Moonroof glass has spontaneously shattered while driving at highway speed with no prior warning.
- Emergency call (SOS) system intermittently malfunctions, sometimes tied to water reaching the telematics control unit under the shark fin antenna.
- Coolant leaks have been found underneath the vehicle at a median 39673 miles, discovered during routine service.
- Owners report thermostat leaks triggering an engine warning lamp, similar to an issue covered by a recall on other model years.
- Vehicle shakes at low speed while turning, linked to a rear differential vent issue that some owners say required a full differential replacement.
2019 BMW X1 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V601000Aug 14, 2019Steering32 vehicles
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles. The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break.
Risk: A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
- 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 19V074000Jan 30, 2019Electrical System5,920 vehicles
Exterior lighting:tail lights
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2019 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.
2019 compared with other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW X1 reliable?
- Among 14 model years of the X1, 2019 ranks 12th worst with a Complaint Index of 15, and NHTSA data supports a "Best" verdict relative to other X1 years.
- What problems does the 2019 BMW X1 have?
- NHTSA lists 11 complaints for the 2019 X1, with the top problem area being the Electrical System at 45% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 27%.
- Does the 2019 BMW X1 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 X1: a steering tie rod/ball joint recall, a B-pillar trim recall, and a taillight attachment bracket recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What mileage do 2019 BMW X1 problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints is 39673 miles, the same median mileage reported for Engine coolant leak complaints.
- How does the 2019 BMW X1 compare to other years?
- The 2019 X1 has a Complaint Index of 15, far lower than 2017 (100, worst year, "Avoid") and 2016 (92, "Avoid"), making 2019 one of the better X1 years by this measure.