What 70 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 BMW X1

am writing to report a potential safety and fire hazard issue involving my BMW X1, along with ongoing electrical concerns I have experienced with this vehicle since purchase. Approximately two weeks ago, for the first time in three years, I needed to bring the vehicle in for an oil change. Due to my work commute of more than two hours each way, neither the BMW dealership near my home nor the one near my workplace was able to accommodate me within a reasonable timeframe. Because I could not continue driving without service, I brought the vehicle to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. During the visit, I agreed to replace the cabin/carbon air filter as recommended. Approximately three weeks later, while driving, I turned on the air conditioning and immediately noticed a strong burning smell coming from the vents. Concerned about a possible electrical or overheating issue, I turned the air off immediately. I contacted BMW service and the earliest available appointment was scheduled for May 20, 2026. During the scheduling call, the BMW service representative informed me that my vehicle also had an active recall that would be addressed during my appointment. When I asked for details, I was told it involved a “software update issue.” On May 18, 2026, I attempted to use the air conditioning again. This time, the burning smell became significantly worse and was combined with a musty odor. Shortly afterward, the ventilation system stopped blowing air entirely. When I arrived at BMW service, I explained the symptoms to my advisor. He responded that the issue “sounded familiar” and stepped away to speak with someone else. When he returned, he explained that another customer had recently reported a similar issue involving a recall on a BMW M5, but stated that the BMW X1 did not currently have the same recall. Given the burning odor, ventilation failure, and the similarity to another BMW recall-related complaint, I believe this issue should be investigated further as a potential hazar

NHTSA ODI 11739163

Right around mid-December 2025, I parked my car, and went to bed, just to wake up on a notification that my battery was depleted and I should go to a service center. I went to the nearest BMW dealership, and had them check out the issue. They said it was caused by 2 incidents where I the car's engine was off with key on for 9 minutes and 10 minutes respectively. and therefore it is my fault and the battery is damaged. So, they had to replace it, and they charged me $1,100 for it. I still don't see how that's my fault, because when I put the car in parking and not exit, the engine turns itself off anyways, but entertainment stays on.

NHTSA ODI 11718900

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.

NHTSA ODI 11601283

Email sent to BMW describing a hesitancy or delay on acceleration from a dead stop: I have attached a link below to a blog from January, 2023, describing this problem on 2023 BMW X1; it includes a description of the issue on a video review of this car by Consumers Report.   Apparently, this has not been corrected.  My new 2023 X1 has this significant and dangerous problem.  I was at the dealer service department for 2 1/2 hours this morning and they claimed not to be aware of the problem, although the technician did recognize the hesitancy.  They also had no repair or correction from BMW.   That is inexcusable.  A second delay on accelerating from a stop making a turn onto or merging onto a highway, could result in a collision.  I assume that BMW is waiting for enough reports of that happening before doing something about it.   I am not interested in explanations or excuses.  I assume the it is due to the engine stop/start mechanism.    I want it corrected.  I am leaving on a road trip in 2 weeks and am afraid to take this car on the trip.  I realize that if I turn off the stop/start mechanism on each startup or drive in Sport mode, and the hesitancy does not occur.  That is not an acceptable alternative for a $58,000, BMW X1, especially for a recognized defect in the car’s manufacture or software that has been known for at least 10 months.   I need to have it fixed. [XXX]     cc: California Department of Consumer Affairs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11548211