Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 BMW 1X. The contact stated while at an ATM, the vehicle was shifted into drive(D), but the vehicle unintendedly shifted into park(P) and failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred in an enclosed area. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle. The contact continued to restart the vehicle. The Police was contacted for assistance. The vehicle was released approximately 10 minutes later. While exiting the vehicle, the alarm engaged. The local dealer was contacted, and an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer tested a BMW X2 where the failure was duplicated. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 4,300. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a BMW X1. Wow attempting to park the vehicle inside a residential garage, the contact engaged to transmission into part by the electronic console shelf by wire controls. The ending remained Allen, and the vehicle failed to mechanical grinding noises or dashboard error messages displayed to alert the driver. Upon releasing the brake paddle, the vehicle unexpectedly creep towards under engine, power and collided with the Garage Door causing $500 in property damage and cosmetic scratches to the vehicle vehicles front bumper. The dealer has been notified of failure. The manufacturer has yet has not yet been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 18224 mileage.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X1. The contact stated that when the vehicle is on any slight incline, when parked, when the vehicle was placed in reverse (R) or in drive (D) the vehicle will roll backward or forward for about one or two feet before the vehicle responds to the accelerator pedal and the transmission gear selected. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he would depress the brake pedal due to vehicle rolling in the opposite direction from which he intended and the vehicle would stop. The contact also stated that if the vehicle rolls back at any sort of speed, approximately 3 to 4 MPH, the vehicle automatic braking system would engage and stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was occurring at every time the vehicle was parked on an incline. …
The vehicle is equipped with a dual clutch transmission and has the EPA mandated auto-start feature. When you stop the vehicle and the engine shuts off and then remove your foot from the brake to go forward, the engine hesitates to restart and then starts, revs, dumps the clutch and propels you forward at a dangerous rate. My wife was trying to pull into the garage and stopped a little short. When she tried to move forward about a foot, the car started and lurched forward hitting the house. There is no way to disable the auto start feature and there are no buttons in the car. This is going to get someone killed when they are trying to make a left turn across traffic and first the car doesn't restart and then it starts and flies into traffic. I complained to BMW and they say this is the way the government mandates the car to be.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to 10 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. During the failure, the messages, "Chassis Stabilization: Drive Moderately," "Collision Warning System Malfunction," "Pedestrian Warning Reduced," and "Drivetrain: Continued Driving Possible" were displayed. The vehicle was pulled over into a remote emergency lane and driven 10 miles to an exit. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a short circuit to ground at the throttle body. The contact was informed that the throttle ground wire and controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
I had a series of concerning incidents with my car. The trunk door was getting stuck halfway, but I was able to close it after turning on the engine. I also encountered a malfunction error on the backup camera, a Drive Train warning sign, and the car alarm going off by itself. The most alarming issue was when the car started smoking and then caught fire underneath the hood near the driver's side windshield. Thankfully, my father and I were able to put out the flames with a water hose before calling 911 to report the incident to the fire department. The car is considered a total per Geico Insurance.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X1. The contact received a notification letter of BMW Campaign Number: SIB 01 02 24(Evap System Purge(Vent) Valve Extended Limited Warranty). The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle hesitated and vibrated while the engine revved. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon shifting to drive(D), the vehicle responded as intended. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X1. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the warning message "Secure Vehicle with Parking Brake" illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle; however, he would engage the parking brake whenever he was parking the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the solenoid and spring had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW X1 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (57), 2016 (34), 2013 (6), 2023 (6) and 2025 (6) model years. Transmission complaints make up 35% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for BMW X1 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any BMW X1 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do BMW X1 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (6 mentions), followed by the manual transmission › floor shift assembly (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.