2020 BMW X1 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
23/100
#11 most-complained of 14 X1 years
The 2020 BMW X1 has a Complaint Index of 23, the second-best among 14 model years, and ranks 11th worst out of the years with data. NHTSA lists only 13 complaints, 1 recall, 1 crash, and 1 fire for this year, earning it a "Best" verdict relative to other X1 years.
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23.5 city / 32 hwy
Top 2020 BMW X1 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (31%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (31%)
- Fuel System3 (23%)
- Brakes2 (15%)
- Electrical System2 (15%)
- Other2 (15%)
- Seat Belts2 (15%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy and seatbelt did not lock during a front-end crash at highway speed.
- A rock puncturing the lower radiator raised owner concern about potential engine seizure at highway speed.
- Fuel system components, including the NVLD, charcoal canister, and tank vent valve, were replaced after a check engine light and fuel vapor issue.
- A driver-side seatbelt showed unusual wear and tearing at low mileage.
- A wastegate actuator turbo failure caused sudden power loss and triggered a drivetrain malfunction warning.
- Owners reported the plastic fuel tank getting punctured by road debris, causing sudden loss of power.
2020 BMW X1 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V283000May 20, 2020Airbags76 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.
Risk: If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
2020 BMW X1 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,000
- 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.
2020 compared with other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 BMW X1 reliable?
- Relative to other X1 model years, the 2020 X1 performs well. It has a Complaint Index of 23, one of the lowest among the 14 years with data, and carries a "Best" verdict.
- What problems does the 2020 BMW X1 have?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2020 X1 point mainly to the Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 31% of complaints, followed by the Fuel System at 23%. Median mileage at failure across recorded complaints is 35,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 BMW X1 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 X1, covering the airbag control unit (campaign 20V283000), with no do-not-drive advisory.
- How does the 2020 X1 compare to other model years?
- The 2020 X1 ranks 11th worst out of 14 model years with data, well below higher-complaint years like 2016 and 2017, which each carry a Complaint Index of 92 and 100 and an "Avoid" verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW X1?
- The EPA rates the 2020 X1 at 26.5 mpg combined (23.5 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,000.