Home · 2015 BMW X1 Xdrive35i · Complaints

What 94 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X1 Xdrive35i

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (94)Crash / fire / injury (9)Electrical system (32)Airbags (30)Engine & cooling (22)Engine (21)Brakes (3)Fuel system (3)Steering (3)Transmission & drivetrain (3)Body & structure (2)Speed control (2)

Newest first · 94 complaints · page 3 of 4

Dec 13, 2020Electrical systemEngine

OIL PAN LEAKING OIL LEAKS IN 4 PLACES SMOKING FROM OIL LEAKS THAT COULD POSSIBLE RUIN THE ENGINE POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE TIMING BELT MODULE TICKING LOUD DEFECTIVE

NHTSA ODI 11383234

Aug 28, 2020

THIS IS REGARDING THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHADE/LINER. ALL OF A SUDDEN, HALF OF IT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT WORK. IT WILL NOT CLOSE OR OPEN. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THIS IS NOT COVERED SOMEHOW WITH BMW - AND THEY WANT $1000'S JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS AND NUMEROUS X1 OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE AND THAT OTHERS HAVE ISSUED A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. HERE'S TO HOPING SOMETHING IS DONE AND A RECALL ISSUED. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI 11351864

Oct 22, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1 SAV. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO UNITED BMW (1501 ALPHARETTA HWY, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (678) 430-3775), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.

NHTSA ODI 11270208

Aug 2, 2019AirbagsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED: (190801030). THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK AND CHEST INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER THAT WAS A CHILD SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE FOR THE OTHER DRIVERS THAT HAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED 4 MONTHS AGO UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 ( AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241303

Jul 9, 2019

DRIVING ON HWY AT 75 MPH EASTBOUND TOWARDS WICHITA FALLS TX - CALM EVENING, SUDDENLY THE FRONT PANEL OF THE SUNROOF ON THE BMW X1 EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. PULLED OVER TO LOOK AT THE REMNANTS, REMAINING GLASS LOOKED LIKE THE EXPLOSION WAS PUSHING THE GLASS OUT FROM THE INSIDE. VERY SCARY ON THE HWY.

NHTSA ODI 11230559

Jul 1, 2019WheelsBrakes

MY TIRES ARE WORN OUT PAST ACCEPTABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION AND YET THE DEALER INSPECTED MY CAR AND PASSED IT AND REGISTERED IT. CHASSIS CORRODED AND WHEELS ROTTING. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON THE 14TYH AND DEALER DIDN'T DELIVER IT UNTIL THE 21ST BECAUSE OF APPARENT MISSING TITLE. THE CAR NEEDED SERVICE AND AIR FILTER AND DURING THE SERVICE, THE OTHER (BMW) DEALER FOUND THE ISSUES ATTACHED. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION LISTING A 90 LIMITED WARRANTY AND WAS WONDERING IF THE PURCHASE DEALER OWES ME TO FIX SOME OF THOSE ITEMS, PARTICULARLY TIRES THAT ARE BEYOND SAFE. I ALMOST SKID AND HIT ANOTHER CAR TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE POOR STATE OF THE TIRES....

NHTSA ODI 11228690

Apr 5, 2019EngineFuel system

ON MARCH 29, 2019 I TOOK MY CAR IN DUE TO A COOLANT INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT. NALLEY BMW INDICATED IT WAS DUE TO A NEED FOR A RADIATOR. THIS IS THE FOURTH RADIATOR NALLEY BMW AND GLOBAL BMW HAVE REPLACED WITH THE LAST TWO YEARS. I HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOUR REPLACEMENTS OF A RADIATOR IN UNDER TWO YEARS. THEY WILL REPAIR THE RADIATOR AND ALLOW DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME. I WILL DRIVE ABOUT 500 MORE MILES BEFORE THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES BACK ON INDICATING TROUBLE. EACH TIME, THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON, THE RADIATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES. MARCH 29TH WOULD MAKE THE FOURTH TIME THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED IN UNDER TWO YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11194065

Mar 8, 2019BrakesCrash1 injury

VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP GOING DOWNHILL AND CRASHED INTO 2 PARKED CARS BEFORE OVERTURNING; FELT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE.

NHTSA ODI 11185460

Feb 15, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED DARK SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS IMMEDIATELY ALERTED BY SOMEONE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE RAIN. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRAMAN BMW JUPITER (561-609-0144, LOCATED AT 1555 W INDIANTOWN RD, JUPITER, FL 33458) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ASSIGNED A TECHNICIAN TO OVERSEE AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT DID NOT STATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,800.

NHTSA ODI 11180384

Feb 14, 2018

2015 BMW X1. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11061709

Dec 20, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE BMW DEALERSHIP STATING THE RECALL OF THE DRIVER'S AIR-BAG, THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. WHEN I CALLED TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. I CALLED ON10/16/17, WAS INFORMED AS SOON AS THE PART WAS IN THEY WOULD CALL ME. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY, 12/20/17 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS STILL ABOUT 13 WEEKS OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY SENDING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 20 AIRBAGS AT A TIME AND THAT THE IS THE REASON THAT IT IS TAKING SO LONG. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT WILL TAKE OVER 23 WEEKS FOR ME TO RECEIVE THE PART/AIRBAG THAT I NEED TO HAVE REPLACED. MY RECALL LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BMW CENTER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME THAT I SHOULD NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE LETTER FOR THE RECALL IS DATED SEPTEMBER 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11055755

Dec 7, 2017Steering

ON HIGHWAY, WHEN SPEED REACHES BETWEEN 60 TO 80 MPH, THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE. IT IS LIKE THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE RUNNING OUT OF AIR AND I HAVE TO FIGHT TO STEER THE CAR TO KEEP IT GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I TOOK IT INTO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TESTED THE ALIGNMENT AND INFLATED THE TIRES TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO AND NOTHING ELSE.

NHTSA ODI 11053319

Nov 9, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE ASKED ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG AS A RECALL ITEM FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR WITH NO RESOLUTION. DEALERSHIP STATES THEY GET 20 REPLACEMENT BAGS PER MONTH AND I AM ON A WAITING LIST. VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ODI 11044966

Nov 7, 2017Airbags

AIRBAG RECALL FROM EARLY 2016 AND STILL DON'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT. WE ARE ON THE WAITING LIST PER THE DEALERSHIP BUT OUR REPLACEMENT IS STILL MONTHS OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11044274

Nov 2, 2017Airbags

AFTER RECEIVING THE FIRST AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW OF NO. AMERICA, I"VE BEEN CONTACTING BMW OF HONOLULU FOR ALMOST 2 YRS TO TRY TO GET THEM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS OR THE LAST TIME I CALLED THEY TOLD BE THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK AND I'VE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THEM (SEVERAL MOS AGO). I TALKED W/ THE SALES PERSON I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD CALL ME BACK W/ STATUS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM HER. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO KEEP RECEIVING THESE AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW AND WHEN I CALL TO SEE WHEN THEY CAN REPAIR MY CAR, I NEVER HEAR BACK FROM THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11042807

Oct 24, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL - CALLED UPON RECEIPT OF THE LETTER FROM BMW/NTSB STATING THE REPAIR IS NOW AVAILABLE, MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 3 WEEKS OUT AS THE PARTS TAKE THAT LONG TO GET IN. NOW I'VE RECEIVED A CALL AFTER 2 WEEKS WITH AN APPOINTMENT THAT RALPH SCHOMP BMW WAS TOLD BY BMW USA THAT THEY ARE LIMITED TO THE NUMBER OF AIRBAGS THEY ARE ALLOWED TO REPLACE EACH WEEK SO THEY NEED TO CANCEL MY APPOINTMENT INDEFINITELY. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE NOW ON BACK ORDER, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO GET THE AIRBAG REPAIRED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I SPOKE WITH BMW USA & THEY ADVISED THAT YES, THEY ARE LIMITING HOW MANY RECALLS CAN BE REPAIRED EACH WEEK, BUT THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT ON BACK ORDER. SHE ADVISED I TRY A LARGER DEALER IN MY AREA OR COMPLAIN TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AS THEY CAN MAGICALLY GET THINGS REPAIRED. I AM WORKING WITH THE LARGEST DEALER IN THE REGION - SO, SINCE NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING REPAIRS MADE I'M CONTACTING YOU TO HELP ME. I WANT TO GET RID OF THE CAR AS THE SERVICE IS HORRIBLE AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK!!!

NHTSA ODI 11039149

Oct 23, 2017Airbags

2015 BMW X1. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS AIRBAG MODULE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/23/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11034988

Oct 16, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL RECALL CAMPAIGN 16V-071. RECEIVED LETTER STATING "WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT FREE REPAIR PERFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE." DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE NOW OR IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW AND SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE LETTER IS FOR THE CORRECT MODEL. THE LETTER SENT SEEMS PATENTLY FALSE.

NHTSA ODI 11033921

Oct 14, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL; I'VE BEEN TRYING FOR ABOUT 2 YRS TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IN MY CAR REPLACED BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO SO. WHEN I FIRST CALLED THEM ABOUT THE AIRBAG THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDIN'T HAVE THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG AND THAT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE IT. IN SEPT OF THIS YEAR, I GOT A NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, TELLING ME THEY HAD THE REPLACEMENT PARTS IN STOCK AND TO CALL MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I CALLED BMW OF HONOLULU ON 9/21 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THE LADY I TALKED TO TOLD ME SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE AIRBAG RECALL. I ASKED FOR AN APPOINT ASAP AND SHE TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS DOWN AND THAT SHE WOULD CALL ME BACK THE SAME DAY. TODAY IS SAT, 10/14 AND NO ONE HAS CALLED ME BACK TO TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON OR WHEN OR IF THEY CAN DO THE REPAIR. ALL BMW DOES IS SEND THESE DIRE LETTERS TO MAKE ME WORRY BUT, THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING OR LET ME KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI 11033384

Sep 11, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (SCHOMP BMW, DENVER CO, 303-730-1300) 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11022741

Aug 11, 2017Airbags

I HAVE ASKED NUMEROUS TIMES AND NEVER HAVE THE REPLACEMENT. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND FAMILIES

NHTSA ODI 11014553

Aug 9, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BERT SMITH BMW DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JULY OF 2017; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD SINCE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOW UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11013985

Aug 7, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF ANNAPOLIS, 31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409, 410-349-9312) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ UPDATED 10/30/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI 11013464

Aug 7, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL -- I WAS TOLD BY MY BMW DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2017 THAT MY VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING WITH MY DEALERSHIP FOR THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS AND THEY HAVE STILL NOT FIXED MY PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED BY AGE AND SINCE YOURS IS A 2015 MODEL YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN WE RECEIVE THE AIR BAG. CHECK TODAY 8/7/17 AND THEY STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHEN MY CAR WILL BE RECALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CALLED BMW MANUFACTURING TODAY AND THE TOLD ME MY VEHICLE IS IN GROUP #6 AND ZONE B AND THAT I WOULD BE RECEIVING A NOTICE SOMETIME BETWEEN SEPT 30 2017 AND DEC 31 2017 FOR SCHEDULING A APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE MY AIR BAG.

NHTSA ODI 11013507

Jun 24, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE MY CAR WAS RECALLED. I HARDLY DRIVE IT SINCE I AM AFRAID OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. I HEAR IT MAY NEVER BE FIXED AND I HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR THIS CAR SINCE OCT 2014. I HAVE LIKE 10,000 MILES ON MY CAR. JUST WANTED TO STATE HOW UPSET I AM TO NOT HAVE IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11001166

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Working with the data? Download all 94 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 BMW X1 Xdrive35i verdict →