2014 BMW X1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · 55 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other X1 years
More complaints than other years 5th of 15 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 BMW X1. That ranks 5th out of 15 X1 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (24 complaints, 44%), typically at around 114,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 fires. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.

BMW X1
BMW U11 X1 M35i in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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

Compare with another car

Most common 2014 BMW X1 problems

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

Electrical System24 · ~114,000 mi
Engine17 · ~86,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling16 · ~115,500 mi
Unknown or Other8
Fuel/propulsion System6 · ~31,330 mi
Service Brakes5
Air Bags4 · ~146,000 mi
Power Train4 · ~89,500 mi
Steering2
Exterior Lighting1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System2444%114,000——
Engine1731%86,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling1629%115,500——
Unknown or Other815%———
Fuel/propulsion System611%31,330——
Service Brakes59%———
Air Bags47%146,000——
Power Train47%89,500——
Steering24%———
Exterior Lighting12%———
Fuel System, Gasoline12%125,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12%88,000——
Structure12%———
Suspension12%88,000——
Visibility12%122,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 19 complaints
2020: 6202062021: 7202172022: 5202252023: 3202332024: 112024112025: 192025192026: 420264

n = 55 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2014 BMW X1 recalls (2)

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

Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpAug 13, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJan 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high 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 air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. 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.

Recent owner reports

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

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the front passenger's side control arm fractured, causing the tire to dislocate 90 degrees from the vehicle and the vehicle became unmovable. The vehicle was towed to Christian Brothers Automotive, where it…

Suspension · received Sep 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767980

I own a 2014 BMW X1 equipped with the N20 engine. The vehicle has been producing smoke from the exhaust/tailpipe after it has been sitting, and the vehicle appears to be burning engine oil very quickly. I am concerned that the malfunction involves the turbocharger engine-oil supply/feed system. BMW…

Engine · received Sep 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767175

I was driving on the highway and all of my dashboard lights began to flicker, my windshield wipers came on and my doors began to lock and unlock then the car shut off while I was driving.

Electrical System · received Mar 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11727003

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P), there was white smoke coming from…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Feb 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11719114

Vehicle: 2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i Incident Date: 11/21/2025 Location: Interstate highway in Wisconsin Description of the Issue: My husband was driving our 2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i when he was involved in a front-end collision at approximately 40 mph. He struck the rear of another vehicle with the front…

Air Bags · received Nov 21, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11700856

Other BMW X1 years

← 2013 X1 · 2015 X1 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026 X112
2025 X1173
2024 X1303
2023 X1706
2022 X112
2021 X191
2020 X1131
2019 X1133
2018 X1594
2017 X11562
2016 X11593
2015 X1522
2014552
2013 X1382
2012 X101

See all BMW X1 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 2014 BMW X1?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 24 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2014 BMW X1?

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

Was the 2014 BMW X1 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X1 model years, the 2014 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.