2015 BMW X1 SAV Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 17, 2021 · 42 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other X1 SAV years
More complaints than other years 3rd of 5 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X1 SAV. That ranks 3rd out of 5 X1 SAV model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (29 complaints, 69%), typically at around 26,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2015 BMW X1 SAV problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags29 · ~26,000 mi
Engine5 · ~8,500 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~42,600 mi
Unknown or Other3 · ~1,675 mi
Power Train2 · ~37,000 mi
Steering2 · ~21,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control2 · ~1,085 mi
Electrical System1 · ~8,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1 · ~145,000 mi
Wheels1 · ~42,600 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags2969%26,000——
Engine512%8,500——
Service Brakes37%42,600——
Unknown or Other37%1,675——
Power Train25%37,000——
Steering25%21,000——
Vehicle Speed Control25%1,085——
Electrical System12%8,600——
Fuel/propulsion System12%145,000——
Wheels12%42,600——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 20 complaints
2015: 3201532016: 112016112017: 202017202018: 1201812019: 720197

n = 42 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2015 BMW X1 SAV recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJan 14, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V016000 · 12,880 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, and X1 xDrive35i vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the driver frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleFeb 5, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Power Train · received Oct 22, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11270208

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…

Air Bags · received Aug 2, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11241303

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…

Unknown or Other · received Jul 9, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11230559

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 Brakes · received Jul 1, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11228690

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…

Engine · received Apr 5, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11194065

Other BMW X1 SAV years

← 2014 X1 SAV · 2016 X1 SAV →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2017 X1 SAV82
2016 X1 SAV41
2015422
2014 X1 SAV594
2013 X1 SAV643

See all BMW X1 SAV problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X1 SAV?

Owners most often report air bags, engine, service brakes problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 29 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2015 BMW X1 SAV?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2015 BMW X1 SAV a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X1 SAV model years, the 2015 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.