Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 BMW X1 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, she noticed there was smoke emerging from underneath the hood, and it caught fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The service warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployments, or crashes. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The local dealer was contacted, but there was no assistance provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,800.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that the coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond and there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there was a coolant leak. The dealer diagnosed that the oil filter gasket housing had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the oil filter gasket housing was replaced, however the failure progressively worsened. The contact stated that there was oil leaking in the engine compartment, and there was a strong oil odor coming through the A/C vents. …
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the engine overheated. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The thermostat symbol was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that an unknown hose was cracked. The mechanic performed a compression test, and the top of the radiator was cracked. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact was adding coolant to the reservoir occasionally. The contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. …
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment, after which the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the thermostat and radiator hose. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 134,000.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power with the message "Stop the Vehicle - Engine Overheating" was displayed before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted each time, except after the last failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 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 while driving at undisclosed speeds, the A/C was activated, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. There was smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. A fuel-burning odor was coming from the vehicle. 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 not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The engine caught on fire - While driving the car, the engine suddenly started running poorly. Check engine lights went on and the car went into limp mode. Smoke came out of the engine compartment. We were able to pull over to the side of the road. The engine died and would not start. The car was towed to an independant repair shop and then to the BMW dealer. BMW of NA sent a field investigation team to inspect the car. BMW said there was "thermal activity in the engine compartment where the intake ducting was partially melted". BMW would not release a copy of the report. The insurance company is inspecting the car now. Photos are available. This might be related to NHTSA recall number 22V-119.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that there was a whistling sound coming from the vehicle while driving. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The "Service Soon" message was displayed. The service and oil messages were displayed on the information screen. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed condensation under the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed and left at the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Engine complaints in other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 BMW X1?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 BMW X1, 46% of the model year's 94 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 BMW X1 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 BMW X1, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 BMW X1 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.