Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 BMW X1 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated while shifting into park (P), the contact became aware of a message to "Secure Vehicle with Parking Brake" displayed. The contact stated that she manually set the parking brake. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the code for the failure was: 420106 (Selector lever locked in park). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that after arriving to the destination and shifting the vehicle into park(P), the message "Secure Vehicle against Rolling Malfunction" was displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission shifter lever control cable. The contact was informed that the transmission shifter lever control cable was abnormally stretched. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in PARK, the "Secure Vehicle with Parking Brake" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was diagnosed by the contact's friend, an independent mechanic, with gear selector failure. The gear selector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, a secure vehicle brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the shift lock solenoid needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
During the parking of my vehicles (gearbox shifter in P position) and after turning off the engine, the iDrive system shows the following messages: "Transmission: Secure vehicle with parking brake when stopped. Consult service center." This happens each and every time and also when the vehicle is parked on level ground the error will remain even if the parking brake is applied. After turning on the engine again and putting the shifter either in R or D position, the error goes away. I have ever come to dealer for help, but they charge 300$ for any diagnosis. So I went to a local BMW body shop, and they are able to reproduce it and couldn't fix it completely. …
On 6/27/23 the car dealership confirmed that the emergency brake sensor has broken and the car now misinforms the driver of whether the emergency brake has been activated. This had been an Issue for a few months. The display screen informs the driver that the brake is not activated, even if it has been activated. The result of this is that a driver may start to ignore the incorrect warning and may cause a driver to get confused regarding whether the brake is activated. A failure to properly activate an emergency brake could result in life threatening injuries. The car was taken to the dealer who confirmed the above problem with the sensor. I explored online blogs and found that many other X1 BMW owners have experienced similar issues. It looks as if this is a failing of the sensor system in this model car.
2016 BMW x1 has a key component (SHIFTER LINKAGE SPRING) and system failure per my local BMW dealer in Atlanta, Georgia -- it states: "Secure vehicle against rolling" when placing the vehicle in park -- even though the Parking Brake shows being engaged. The dealership agreed it is a common linkage spring issue that creates this safety issue however, they want to charge my family for a gear selector replacement. Everything still shifts completely fine in the car, the parking brake supposedly engages, and the car shifts into park fine however, know one at a dealership is able to validate that parking brake actually is engaged? That said, I live in a house that is on a hill and I park on the street each night....how in the world is this not addressed as a safety issue?
Every time I start or stop my vehicle I get a notification that shows Transmission: Secure vehicle with parking brake when stopped. Consult service center. And my console has a hazard warning that shows: Secure vehicle against rolling. This happens every time, even if the car is parked on a completely flat surface in no danger whatsoever of rolling. I've read SEVERAL X1 owners get this message and all state this needs to be a RECALL. They take their vehicles in for service and are told it's between $2500 and $3000 due to a tiny spring that breaks and the selector no longer communicates with the car in the parking position, and because of this there is an error message in dashboard in which warns you to make sure the vehicle is secure
The transmission lock sensor is defective in this car design- the spring in the gearshift assembly that contacts the transmission lock sensor has a faulty design and is prone to breaking. This leads to a warning in the car that the transmission lock has not occurred when the car is in park (although it is actually functioning). This creates a "false alarm" situation that then does not allow the user to know if the transmission is truly locked in park This defect has occurred in my car as diagnosed by both dealer and independent mechanic. This is a common and known defect amongst X1 owners (as well as the mechanical sibling Mini Cooper). It is also well known amongst the BMW dealer service; It should be consider a recall defect
Transmission: Secure vehicle from rolling I just began getting this warning chime without an error code. However, when I search online there are hundreds of BMW X1 owners (2016) reporting the same issue. In addition, owners of Mini Coopers (Minis) which are built on the same chasis, with the same components as the BMW X1 also report this same issue. NTSA should issue a recall if this issue is as serious as BMW service says it is - that the car may not stay in PARK after the gear shift is put into park. However, BMW only covers this clearly design defect for up to 50,000 miles warranty. This should be a safety recall before someone's car that is not securely in PARK because of the defect accidentally rolls into a person or pedestrian.
Transmission complaints in other X1 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 BMW X1?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 BMW X1, 21% of the model year's 163 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 BMW X1 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 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 2016 BMW X1 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
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.