KnownCarProblems2016 BMW X1 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X1, most often about the other or unspecified (40% of complaints, typically around 34,000 miles). It is the most complained-about X1 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 BMW X1 problems
Other or unspecified
64 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
The sliding sun visor on the panoramic sunroof has become detached from its frame on the passenger side. The sliding visor material now droops into cabin with possible obstruction of visibility to outside areas.
While driving, I opened the panoramic sunroof shade. One side bunched up and did not retract. After closing, one side of the shade is hanging down partially blocking the view.
Transmission
33 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
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…
Visibility and wipers
20 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
The sun shade that covers the moonroof from the interior came apart on the passenger side, causing it to hang into the cabin. This occurred by itself without operating the vehicle or sun shade. The vehicle had been stationary for several days, parked outside in an uncovered private parking space. BMW is claiming this…
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the retractable sunroof head liner detached from the sliding track causing the head liner fabric to crumble and block the rear view mirror. The vehicle was taken to ferman BMW (31400 US highway 19 north, palm harbor, fl 34684, ([phone]) to be…
Body and structure
17 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
I bought the car from the car shack in hialeah,fl and it did not have the middle hood latch and I had a accident because of it. It happen while I was driving home with my family at 45 MPH that the hood of the car came up and it went against my front window and it damage my hood and part of my car roof. This happen…
While driving I opened my sunroof shade cover and heard a crackling noise turned around and it was all bundled up. The cover ripped off on one side. The untimely failure of the shade blind left it sagging/hanging and blocking my view as the driver while operating the vehicle.
Electrical
13 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel.
The hands-free mechanism/actuator for opening and closing the tailgate (making a kicking motion with the foot) activates unintentionally when loading and unloading items from the rear storage area. On four (4) occasions while loading or unloading from the rear storage area, the open tailgate door has closed (without…
Sun shade mechanism will not open, causing the sun shade to tear. Seems that sun shade is off the track, or hung and will not allow for closure on this BMW X1
Engine
8 complaints · 5%Just started driving on a long highway trip, 20 minutes into the drive with vehicle at temperature, ball bearing failed on a plastic idler pully on accessory drive, blowing apart the plastic pulls and damaging the belt, losing battery charging first, the overtemperature warning to immediately pull over on highway…
The engine mounts have failed on my car. I have only 14 thousand miles on the auto and do only city driving. Had this not been discovered during a routine oil change the results could have been catastrophic. There may be a problem with either the mounting hardware or the weight of the engine,
Brakes
8 complaints · 5%The front brakes have an issue that BMW knows about, as the dealership informed me it was a common issue with 2016-2020 x1s and x2s. The brake pads on the front wheels have an issue where one brake pad will wear extremely quickly within 5,000-20,000 miles. While the other brake pad will wear as it should. As the brake…
Steering
4 complaints · 3%The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel started to vibrate without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure occurred when the air conditioner was activated at full capacity. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working up to…
After driving about 2 miles from from home the steering locked up while the vehicle was in motion on a town road and turning. Was able to get to shoulder of road. After shutting off the ignition and restarting car the problem disappeared and continued to my destination. Later that day on my return trip, after driving…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 BMW X1 recalls
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Second notices will be sent as parts become available, starting on september 27, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 201, "occupant protection in interior impact."
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the emergency locking retractor (elr) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began july 3, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i, mini hardtop 4 door cooper, mini hardtop 4 door cooper s, mini cooper clubman, and cooper s clubman, 2017 rolls-royce ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt emergency locking retractor (elr) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Risk: A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will replace the steering gearbox, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on december 28, 2015. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling one model year 2016 mini cooper hardtop 2 door vehicle manufactured november 24, 2015, and one bmw x1 sports activity vehicle (sav) manufactured october, 19 2015. The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2016 BMW X1
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW X1?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (64 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles); transmission (33 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); visibility and wipers (20 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 BMW X1 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 9, 2019 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the BMW X1?
- It is the most complained-about X1 model year since 2000, with 159 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.