What 94 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X1 Xdrive35i

I had to replace the Oil Fliter housing with oil cooler because it was made out of plastic and caused an oil and antifreeze. The repair man told me that engine part were made out of plastic and tend to fail over time.

NHTSA ODI 11716609

The contact owned a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, she noticed there was smoke emerging from underneath the hood, and it caught fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The service warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployments, or crashes. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The local dealer was contacted, but there was no assistance provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,800.

NHTSA ODI 11706087

The timing chain jumped, shredding the plastic teeth which ended up in oil pump causing complete engine shut down. The certified mechanic says this is a known design flaw in the N20 engines.

NHTSA ODI 11690429

Current owner of a 2015 BMW X1 bought in Feb 2025. Was informed by the car dealer at that time there is currently an unresolved important safety recall campaign for NHTSA Recall Number 24V608000 - "Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit" opened back in August 2024. I reached out to the local BMW dealer for a status update if the remedy was available and they indicated a remedy is still not available. They had me contact BMW Customer Relations for a better status update. BMW Customer Relations indicated the remedy is still not available for this recall and no ETA. They only told me to keep checking back with my BMW dealer -- which I have done numerous times over several weeks. This recall has been out since August 2024 and it is well beyond a reasonable amount of time for a remedy to this recall. This is an urgent enough issue that needs to be resolved now to avoid any fire risks.

NHTSA ODI 11682527

On Sunday, [XXX] while driving the 2015 BMW X1 on [XXX] , the car overheated. The vehicle was brought to the side of the road, stopped turned off and towed to BMW of Warwick, Rhode Island. On Monday, August 4, 2025, at my home residence I received a recall notice from BWM indicating that there was a recall for the water pump control module and/or water pump. Water could get to the area and cause a short or fault into a fire. It was determined that the vehicle's water pump failed by the dealership and that the module was not the cause. This is way too coincidental. The dealership and/or BMW refused to replace the pump under warranty and only installed a shield over the unit. It is my contention that the module was exposed to moisture for over 10 years such that the electrical pump suffered premature wear and tear. The parts match the recall description. I am seeking reimbursement of $955.44 for the cost of replacement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11679029

What happened: Before the engine began smoking, I experienced several electrical and functional issues. The cigarette lighter socket and USB ports stopped working completely. At one point, the windshield washer fluid system also stopped working and later started functioning again without repair. Additionally, on multiple occasions while at a complete stop with my foot on the brake, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into park on its own. This happened about 2–3 times and made it unsafe to accelerate when traffic resumed. Eventually, the engine began emitting smoke during normal use. There were no warning lights or error messages beforehand. This issue appears connected to the current coolant pump recall, but the manufacturer has stated that no remedy is available. Out of concern for my safety and potential risk to others, I have stopped driving the vehicle. Because the issue remains unresolved, the car has become undrivable and is now affecting my ability to work and manage basic transportation needs.

NHTSA ODI 11666596

This is a complaint surrounding the recall on the vehicle. I have called the dealerships closest to me 4 times over the last month and a half to remedy with no such luck. My car 12/15, was smoking from the water pump location in the engine. It has done this when driving for more than 20 minutes or driving for the first time if taking the weekend off from doing so. There is a burning smell that comes in from the vents. I have had the oil changed and inspected, there was no leak found either time. there is "no remedy available" according to the dealership but this has been ongoing for 4 months. There is a fire hazard, I have relayed that I have seen smoke but have to drive the car as it is a daily driver for my family. no solution, even temporary has been discussed from the dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11630899

Water pump recall has not been provided since the month of August . Engine light warning light just appeared on my vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11629943

While driving, an engine malfunction message appeared on the X1's panel display. The warning message was to proceed, under "reduced power", to a dealer as soon as possible to initiate repairs before engine damage could occur. Under these emergency conditions all panel functions, such as GPS, were blocked. I believe this failure, occurring under normal operating conditions, puts passengers at risk. At the dealer engine error codes identified the N55 engine's internal failure to be of the Valvetronic system. The 2015 X1 was out of warranty even though its mileage was 46,600 which, if still under the 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty, would have qualified for a warranty repair.

NHTSA ODI 11612087

Multiple issues with coolant/pump. Recall states there is potential for fire but aren’t able to fix the problems.

NHTSA ODI 11610278

experience issues starting up due to a failure of the starter motor. Repeated attempts at stating the vehicle can cause the motor to overheat due to an electrical overload, potentially catching combustible materials in the engine compartment and increasing the risk of fire.

NHTSA ODI 11607785

The engine caught on fire - While driving the car, the engine suddenly started running poorly. Check engine lights went on and the car went into limp mode. Smoke came out of the engine compartment. We were able to pull over to the side of the road. The engine died and would not start. The car was towed to an independant repair shop and then to the BMW dealer. BMW of NA sent a field investigation team to inspect the car. BMW said there was "thermal activity in the engine compartment where the intake ducting was partially melted". BMW would not release a copy of the report. The insurance company is inspecting the car now. Photos are available. This might be related to NHTSA recall number 22V-119.

NHTSA ODI 11538594

The engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship. The vehicle currently has 60,128 miles. The vehicle's "service engine soon", warning light began appearing intermittently and now it is constantly on. The car has a stored code (P0597) Thermostat Heater Control Circuit/Open.This vehicle has a current technical service bulletin for a defective thermostat for this model year; however, the VIN number is not included. This should be investigated further as this Technical service bulletin(SI B01 01 16) suggests that PRODUCTION date is NOT the sole determinate, but rather, the entire model year is just as imperative!! The local BMW dealership is refusing to repair the vehicle despite having premature failure with the thermostat heater control circuit/open for this model year vehicle and with a currently illuminated warning light and code (P0597). Although the technical service bulletin states that the model year & model numbers are both covered, the bulletin further states: 1) ."Note: The MY 2015 vehicles produced up to and including January 31, 2015 (as applicable) have been added to this bulletin December 2017"; and, 2) "Please do not use a vehicle’s production date as the sole determinate for this coverage, the vehicle’s “model year” is also an important determinate."

NHTSA ODI 11488160

22,000 ACTUAL MILES OILFITER HOUSING LEAK ON ENGINE AND CYLINDER COVER IS PLASTIC LIKE ON OTHER X1 SDRIVE . LEAKING ON ELECTRICAL PARTS AND SMOKE TERRIBLE WHEN COME TOO STOP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS ABAD PLASTIC PART AND GASKET LEAK WITH HOLLY ANY MILES. 22,000 SOMETHING MILES WHEN PURCHASE ONLINE . DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TOO SAY IT'S A FIRE HAZARD IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE I JUST HOPE OTHERS TOO DON'T NOTICE IT AND CAR CATCHES ON FIRE AS REPORTED FOR OTHER X1 2015 SDRIVE 28I MY CAR NEED A RECALL ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11413314

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE HOOD THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE AND UNDER HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER VISTA BMW COCONUT CREEK (4401 W SAMPLE RD, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073: (954) 905-4461) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION CORD AND OIL PAN WAS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 11389848

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

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

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

AT AROUND 8000 MILES THE CAR WOULD HESITATE UPON HARD ACCELERATION, (MERGING INTO TRAFFIC) THE CAR BECAME UNPREDICTABLE, SOMETIMES IT WOULD PREFORM AS DESIGNED OTHER TIMES IT WOULD PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINT FROM OTHER OWNERS AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A FIX. I CALLED BMWNA AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. AFTER A FEW OF TRYING TO GET AN APPOINTMENT UNSUCCESSFUL THE CAR ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT, I TOOK IT BACK IN AND AFTER A WEEK THEY HAD DECIDED TO REPROGRAM IT, UPON DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED IT WAS MUCH MORE RESPONSIVE AND DROVE LIKE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CAR. HOWEVER IT DISPLAYED THE PROBLEM ON 2 MORE OCCASIONS JUST NOT AS SEVERE. I CALLED BMWNA AND UPDATED THEM, THEY SENT A FIELD ENGINEER OUT WHO LOOKED OVER THE CAR AND TOLD ME "JUST DRIVE IT IN SPORT MODE", I DONT FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD DRIVE IN SPORT MODE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I CALLED BMWNA AND TOLD THEM OF THE RESULTS AND ASKED THEM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, THEY REFUSED. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10937328

THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON CITY STREET AND WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 10822121

FOR THE FOURTH TIME SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF THE NEW CAR, DRIVING ON CITY STREET IN MODERATELY HEAVY TRAFFIC, BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE TO REV ABOVE THE 3,000 RPM LEVEL. (AT THE LAST EVENT I WATCHED THE TACHOMETER GAUGE AS I WAS BRAKING.) EACH TIME I HAD TO PANIC-DEPRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. EACH TIME I COULD FEEL THE PULSATION OF THE ABS BRAKE ON THE PEDAL. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE CHRONIC MALFUNCTION. I WAITED FOR A RESPONSE UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN I RECEIVED AN EMAIL ANNOUNCING THAT MY CAR WAS READY FOR PICK-UP, WITHOUT ANY MENTION OF DISPOSITION OR REPAIR. WHEN I CALLED AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10725668