Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On [redacted] at approximately [redacted], I was driving my 2019 BMW X1 northbound on the [redacted] in Manhattan at a steady highway speed when the powered rear liftgate unexpectedly opened approximately halfway without any intentional activation. The key fob was stationary in the center cupholder. I did not activate any liftgate controls. I became aware of the opening after hearing wind noise and another motorist honking. A folding cart and a child's travel car seat fell from the cargo area onto the highway. I subsequently returned and recovered both items near the concrete median. The cart sustained substantial damage. I did not witness a collision and am unaware of any third-party injury or property damage. I reported the incident to BMW North America, which advised that the matter was being escalated. The cause of the malfunction has not yet been determined. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 BMW X1. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V349000 (structure). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Hendrick BMW northlake (10720 northlake auto plaza blvd, charlotte, nc 28269, [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tailgate locking system has electronic kick. There is no electronic chirp to alert closing. I was struck in the head. The top latch is was reversed to 'male' equivalent to a hammer. The bottom latch was reversed as connector. If anyone over 5' 10" walks under the open hatch they can be struck.
This week, again, the rear hatch came down on me as I was loading groceries and while I tried to fend it off, giving me a bruise on my lower arm The rear hatch door randomly closes while I am loading/unloading the rear of the X1. In the past I thought it might be the key fob being bumped in a purse or pocket, but NO. It happens randomly. It beeps its warning thank goodness, but has put me, my grandchildren, and others helping load at risk several times since we purchased this car in 2017. I thought this might be peculiar to my car alone, but now see others with the same complaint! I will not let my grandchildren stand around the back of the car when loading. BMW will be sued by someone, bet on it, if it hasn't already happened, if any child or animal is injured due to this problem. The force was strong enough to bump and bruise an adult, let alone a child! …
While we were driving on the freeway probably about 65 mph, we heard a big explosion right next to us! We thought someone shot as us, the car swerved for a second, we noticed our the sunroof was exploded. We stopped and examined the evidence, no sign of rocks or object hit at the car
The panoramic sunroof shade blind has become detached due to failing adhesive. The consequence of this failure renders the vehicle difficult to drive and impacts safety of occupants and non occupants. To illustrate this issue, it is easier to quote the incident. On driving the vehicle the sunroof shade became unattached from its rail (right side). A natural thing to do is attempt to open the shade and close again in the hope that it re-attaches itself. This only made the situation worse. The loose shade impedes the drivers view out the right side of the vehicle. Driving the vehicle, it is crucial that this view should be clear and unobstructed (especially when lane changing on a freeway!). A corollary to the above issue is that the sagging loose blind is a distraction to the driver of the vehicle. …
The sunroof shade is a common failure point on these cars that's not being addressed. A quick internet search provides hundreds of reports of the same with the 2016+ vehicles. While it may seem harmless, my 3 year old constantly had the sun beating on the top of his head, especially in the hot summer sun. I had to pay somebody to install 5% tint on the glass because the sun was enough to give his skin a light sunburn. BMW wants $2500 to fix what's obviously a defect.
I believe manufacturers are suppossed to provide replacement parts for 10 years. It appears BMW is circumventing this law by makinig it harder and more expensive to get replacement parts before ten years has passed by making owners purchase unnecessary parts as an assembly. First case with my BWM X1- The inside door handle has a snap-in plastic cover coated with a rubber/plastic compound that deteriorates over time into a gooey substance that comes off onto your hand when entering or exiting the car. The dealer requires owner to purchase the whole door panel costing well over $1,000 not including the labor. The part itself can be purchased on eBay from China for approximately $16. Snaps on. Second case is for my BMW 2011 335i convertible. The dealer ran the car through their car wash and one piece of the convertible hardtop trim (plastic) broke. …
Related recalls (2)
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.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. In the event of a crash where the occupants head contacts the B-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vertical trim pieces on the upper portion of the interior B-Pillars, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 1, 2019.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW X1 years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (25), 2018 (22), 2016 (17) and 2014 (7) model years. Body complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for BMW X1 body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-829 (roof and pillars, Nov 4, 2024); 19V-349 (roof and pillars, May 9, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW X1 body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles; 78% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (69 mentions), followed by the body › door (3).
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.