2019 BMW X1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X1 years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 10th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 BMW X1. That ranks 10th out of 15 X1 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints, 38%), typically at around 39,673 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 3 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

- 13owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2019 BMW X1 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 38% | 39,673 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 23% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 15% | 17,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 15% | 17,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 8% | 39,673 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2019 BMW X1 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles. The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break.
Risk: A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. In the event of a crash where the occupants head contacts the B-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vertical trim pieces on the upper portion of the interior B-Pillars, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 1, 2019. Second notices will be sent as parts become available, starting on September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior lighting:tail lights
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. 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.
While releasing the manual telescope lever on my 2019 BMW X1 (under 75k miles) to adjust the steering wheel, the steering column completely bypassed its factory structural travel stop and jammed rock-solid in the farthest extended position and will not budge. The steering wheel is now physically…
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2019 BMW X1 northbound on the [XXX] in Manhattan at a steady highway speed when the powered rear liftgate unexpectedly opened approximately halfway without any intentional activation. The key fob was stationary in the center cupholder. I did not…
My car began shaking at low speeds when turning. Brought it to a mechanic to investigate and they performed a recommended manufacturer alteration on the car related to rear differential vent. That did not fix the issue and mechanic said a full rear differential replacement was required and it was a…
A recall was issued for similar vehicles (X1) but ended with the 2018 model year (Recall 24V-608). This issue continues to be present in the 2019 model year. The thermostats in subsequent year models continue to leak, presenting a hazard. An engine warning lamp triggered an inspection at BMW…
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X1. The contact stated that the emergency call error light illuminated the instrument panel. In December of 2024, the contact received notification regarding an extended warranty coverage for the battery to be replaced. The contact was unable to immediately take the…
Other BMW X1 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 X1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2025 X1 | 17 | 3 |
| 2024 X1 | 30 | 3 |
| 2023 X1 | 70 | 6 |
| 2022 X1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2021 X1 | 9 | 1 |
| 2020 X1 | 13 | 1 |
| 2019 | 13 | 3 |
| 2018 X1 | 59 | 4 |
| 2017 X1 | 156 | 2 |
| 2016 X1 | 159 | 3 |
| 2015 X1 | 52 | 2 |
| 2014 X1 | 55 | 2 |
| 2013 X1 | 38 | 2 |
| 2012 X1 | 0 | 1 |
See all BMW X1 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW X1?
Owners most often report electrical system, structure, engine problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2019 BMW X1?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2019 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 2019 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.