Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | typical | 2 | Brake | Few |
| 2025 | 17 | 2.0× | 3 | Electrical | Caution |
| 2024 | 30 | 2.5× | 3 | Brake | Avoid |
| 2023 | 70 | 4.2× | 6 | Brake | Avoid |
| 2022 | 1 | −89% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 2021 | 9 | −83% | 1 | Airbag | Good |
| 2020 | 13 | −77% | 1 | Transmission | Good |
| 2019 | 13 | −82% | 3 | Electrical | Good |
| 2018 | 60 | −20% | 4 | Body | Average |
| 2017 | 164 | 2.1× | 4 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2016 | 163 | 2.1× | 4 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2015 | 94 | −52% | 4 | Engine | Good |
| 2014 | 114 | −33% | 6 | Airbag | Average |
| 2013 | 102 | −38% | 5 | Engine | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median X1 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common BMW X1 problems
Latest BMW X1 recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles.
Remedy: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026.
Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2026 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, X2, and Mini Countryman S ALL4 vehicles. The housing pin in the rear (left and/or right) seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production, resulting in the retractor not locking the seat belt as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear (left and/or right) seat belts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X1 xDrive28i and X1 M35i vehicles. The left and right-side B-Pillar reinforcement plates may have been manufactured with insufficient structural strength.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the left-side and right-side B-Pillar and, if affected, replace the B-Pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2025.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 22, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the BMW X1 should you avoid?
2023, 2024, 2016, 2017 and 2025 — these years have the most complaints relative to other X1 years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2023.
What is the best year for the BMW X1?
2022 has the fewest complaints compared with other X1 years at the same age, followed by 2021 and 2019. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common BMW X1 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (163), engine & cooling (159) and brakes (136). Electrical complaints peak in the 2015 model year.
How many recalls has the BMW X1 had?
27 recalls across 2013–2026. The model year with the most is 2014. See all BMW X1 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.