2016 BMW X1 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2016 BMW X1, and owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2016 BMW X1
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Roof and pillars (structure)
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…
Remedy: 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.…
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Retractor (seat belts)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicle manufactured November 24, 2015, and one BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) manufactured October, 19 2015. The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Remedy: BMW will replace the steering gearbox, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW…
159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 BMW X1 have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 4 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 41,646 miles. Complaints peaked in 2023 with 38 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Known HVAC-produced moisture drainage issue that cause water to get trapped inside the system and cabin air filter housing, causing significant mold or mildew to grow on the filter itself and spread s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 5, 2026 · Unknown or other
“- Roof and pillars I have been having for almost a year when trying to open and slide on the track. It is harsh and noisy. - Engine oil filter housing and coolant leak. This issue is critical. Finally”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 17, 2025 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 BMW X1 (X1 xDrive28i). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 22 / 31 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
Compare BMW X1 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X1 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW X1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 BMW X1 | 2 | 38 |
| 2014 BMW X1 | 2 | 55 |
| 2015 BMW X1 | 2 | 52 |
| 2016 BMW X1 | 3 | 159 |
| 2017 BMW X1 | 2 | 156 |
| 2018 BMW X1 | 4 | 59 |
| 2019 BMW X1 | 3 | 11 |
| 2020 BMW X1 | 1 | 13 |
| 2021 BMW X1 | 1 | 9 |
| 2022 BMW X1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 BMW X1 | 6 | 70 |
| 2024 BMW X1 | 3 | 30 |
| 2025 BMW X1 | 3 | 17 |
| 2026 BMW X1 | 2 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2016 BMW X1
How do I know if my 2016 BMW X1 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2016 BMW X1; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 15V887000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.