NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 BMW X1 SAV Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 BMW X1 SAV has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 BMW X1 SAV. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 BMW X1 SAV owner complaints

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X1 SAV, describing incidents dated July 16, 2014 to October 18, 2019.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 29 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 3 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints

Of the 42 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 42 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11270208 · Filed October 22, 2019
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…
ODI #11241303 · Filed August 2, 2019
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…
ODI #11230559 · Filed July 9, 2019
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…

Read all 42 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 BMW X1 SAV in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #19V016000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 14, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 12,880 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 14, 2019 · Vehicles built October 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V071000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 840,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 1, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2015 BMW X1 SAV. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

42 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 BMW X1 SAV.

Power Train

ODI #11270208

Incident: October 18, 2019 · Filed: October 22, 2019

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, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (678) 430-3775), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.

Air Bags

ODI #11241303

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: August 1, 2019 · Filed: August 2, 2019

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 PASSENGER THAT WAS A CHILD SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE FOR THE OTHER DRIVERS THAT HAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED 4 MONTHS AGO UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 ( AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11230559

Incident: July 8, 2019 · Filed: July 9, 2019

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 THE HWY.

Wheels; Service Brakes

ODI #11228690

Incident: June 28, 2019 · Filed: July 1, 2019

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 AND AIR FILTER AND DURING THE SERVICE, THE OTHER (BMW) DEALER FOUND THE ISSUES ATTACHED. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION LISTING A 90 LIMITED WARRANTY AND WAS WONDERING IF THE PURCHASE DEALER OWES ME TO FIX SOME OF THOSE ITEMS, PARTICULARLY TIRES THAT ARE BEYOND SAFE. I ALMOST SKID AND HIT ANOTHER CAR TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE POOR STATE OF THE TIRES....

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11194065

Incident: March 29, 2019 · Filed: April 5, 2019

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 REPLACEMENTS OF A RADIATOR IN UNDER TWO YEARS. THEY WILL REPAIR THE RADIATOR AND ALLOW DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME. I WILL DRIVE ABOUT 500 MORE MILES BEFORE THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES BACK ON INDICATING TROUBLE. EACH TIME, THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON, THE RADIATOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES. MARCH 29TH WOULD MAKE THE FOURTH TIME THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED IN UNDER TWO YEARS.

Service Brakes

ODI #11185460

Crash 1 injury

Incident: March 8, 2019 · Filed: March 8, 2019

VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP GOING DOWNHILL AND CRASHED INTO 2 PARKED CARS BEFORE OVERTURNING; FELT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE.

Engine

ODI #11180384

Fire

Incident: October 8, 2018 · Filed: February 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 52 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED DARK SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS IMMEDIATELY ALERTED BY SOMEONE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE RAIN. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRAMAN BMW JUPITER (561-609-0144, LOCATED AT 1555 W INDIANTOWN RD, JUPITER, FL 33458) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ASSIGNED A TECHNICIAN TO OVERSEE AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT DID NOT STATE IF THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,800.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11061709

Incident: November 2, 2017 · Filed: February 14, 2018

2015 BMW X1. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. *LD *JS

Air Bags

ODI #11055755

Incident: September 1, 2017 · Filed: December 20, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE BMW DEALERSHIP STATING THE RECALL OF THE DRIVER'S AIR-BAG, THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. WHEN I CALLED TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. I CALLED ON10/16/17, WAS INFORMED AS SOON AS THE PART WAS IN THEY WOULD CALL ME. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY, 12/20/17 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS STILL ABOUT 13 WEEKS OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY SENDING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 20 AIRBAGS AT A TIME AND THAT THE IS THE REASON THAT IT IS TAKING SO LONG. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT WILL TAKE OVER 23 WEEKS FOR ME TO RECEIVE THE PART/AIRBAG THAT I NEED TO HAVE REPLACED. MY RECALL LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BMW CENTER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME THAT I SHOULD NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE LETTER FOR THE RECALL IS DATED SEPTEMBER 2017.

Steering

ODI #11053319

Incident: November 30, 2017 · Filed: December 7, 2017

ON HIGHWAY, WHEN SPEED REACHES BETWEEN 60 TO 80 MPH, THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE. IT IS LIKE THE TWO FRONT TIRES ARE RUNNING OUT OF AIR AND I HAVE TO FIGHT TO STEER THE CAR TO KEEP IT GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I TOOK IT INTO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY TESTED THE ALIGNMENT AND INFLATED THE TIRES TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD DO AND NOTHING ELSE.

Other BMW X1 SAV model years

Check your 2015 BMW X1 SAV VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW X1 SAV at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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