Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 BMW X1 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light illuminated; however, the seat belt was securely fastened. Additionally, the contact stated that the front headlight bulbs were replaced; however, the following day the bulbs were blown. The contact stated that the alternator was replaced in September 2024. The contact stated that she was afraid to drive the vehicle because of fear that the vehicle would overheat and blow up. In addition, the contact stated that unknown warning lights were previously illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer several times due to the failures. The contact stated that a dealer performed a multi-inspection of the vehicle, however the failure was not duplicated. …
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated with the radiator fan running at high speeds. The contact pulled over and allowed the engine to cool down before restarting the vehicle and continuing to drive. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: 348A, 387F were retrieved. The contact stated that the thermostat was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed a second time and the contact was informed that the water pump and thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a coolant leak was found. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being operated, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was later taken to a local dealer for a second opinion, but the diagnostic result was not provided. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Emission Recall: 20E-A01, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owned a 2014 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and noticed that smoke was coming from the hood of the vehicle with the coolant warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle started rocking. Additionally, an oil change was performed on the vehicle twice within a month. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the resident. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated upon attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where unknown fuses were disconnected, and the vehicle turned off. The mechanic determined that the failure was due to the ECU overheating. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V087000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. An unknown dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), there was white smoke coming from under the hood, with a burning plastic odor. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there were no authorized dealers close by. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 70,850.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i vehicles. The affected vehicles may have battery positive (B+) cables that develop high resistance in the connections to the fuse box.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the B+ cable connector with one that is silver coated and better secure it to the fuse box, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2017.
Electrical complaints in other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 BMW X1?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 BMW X1, 27% of the model year's 114 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 BMW X1 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-608 (connectors/plugs/receptacles, Aug 13, 2024); NHTSA recall 17V-087 (cables, Feb 9, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 BMW X1 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.