KnownCarProblems2018 BMW X1 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X1, most often about the body and structure (37% of complaints). It is 4th of 14 X1 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2018 BMW X1 problems
Body and structure
22 complaints · 37%Parts named most often: body.
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.
Filing complaint in regards to recall campaign no.19v-349. BMW has not responded to, nor reached out to fix my affected car. While this is a voluntary recall, they have not responded in a timely manner. Last official communication with them was in july 2019
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles.
The car had 14,500 miles on it when the problem occured. My wife drove the car to chicago and back , upon returning she parked the car in the garage removed some groceries the came back to get the rest and the car was smoking from under the hood. She then called me as I was not home and asked what to do, I told her to…
There is a rotten foul odor coming out of the car vents when the car is first started and the air conditioner is not turned on. The smell slowly disappears when turning on the air conditioner.
Electrical
8 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
The heater blower ceased working. The back brakes needed to be replaced for a 3rd time, and the factory never sealed the air filter for the engine properly.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear liftgate door would erroneously open. During the failure, the lift gate door would open approximately halfway. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the key fob needed to be reprogrammed to press…
Engine
7 complaints · 12%The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered significantly upon depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the…
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while approaching an intersection at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and came to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. However, shortly…
Air bags
6 complaints · 10%Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 7%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.
Seat belts
3 complaints · 5%Steering
3 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose while turning to the left or the right. The contact stated that the failure was a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 BMW X1 recalls
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began october 11, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or mini customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018-2019 bmw x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i, 2019 x2 xdrive28i, mini cooper s convertible, countryman, and john cooper works countryman vehicles. The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break.
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."
Lights: tail lights
Risk: If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began march 28, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018-2019 bmw x1 sdrive28i and x1 xdrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
Engine
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began september 6, 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018 bmw 540d xdrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On september 12, 2018, bmw expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 bmw 540d xdrive, 230i m240i, m240i xdrive, x2 sdrive28i, x2 xdrive28i, x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i, 330i, 330i xdrive, 340i, 340i xdrive, 330i xdrive gran turismo, 530i, 530i xdrive, 540i, 540i xdrive, 530e, 530e xdrive, 640i xdrive gran turismo, 330e, 2019 430i gran coupe, 430i xdrive gran coupe, 440i gran coupe, 440i xdrive gran coupe, 430i, 430i xdrive, 440i, 440i xdrive, 740i, 740i xdrive, mini cooper, cooper s, jcw, mini countryman (cooper, cooper all4, cooper s, cooper s all4, jcw all4), and mini clubman (cooper
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 2018 BMW X1
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW X1?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (22 complaints); other or unspecified (14 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles); electrical (8 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2018 BMW X1 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 14, 2019 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the BMW X1?
- It is 4th of 14 X1 model years by number of complaints, with 59 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.