NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 BMW X1 Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 BMW X1 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 52 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. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 BMW X1 owner complaints

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X1, describing incidents dated February 20, 2019 to February 6, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 38 complaints
Electrical System 31 complaints
Unknown or Other 7 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint

Of the 52 complaints on file, 4 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11727256 · Filed March 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while starting. Additionally, while stopped in traffic, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…
ODI #11716609 · Filed February 8, 2026
I had to replace the Oil Fliter housing with oil cooler because it was made out of plastic and caused an oil and antifreeze. The repair man told me that engine part were made out of plastic and tend to fail over time.
ODI #11716607 · Filed February 8, 2026
Complete electrical failure while driving on the Highway. I barely was able to get over without causing an accident. The car without notice went dead and no power. I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Lots of warning lights started flashing then completely dead.

Read all 52 complaints

Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit

NHTSA #24V608000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 720,796 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 28, 2025

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.nhtsa.gov.

Driver Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #20V017000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 59,965 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 11, 2020 · 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 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.

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 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.

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. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11727256

Incident: December 1, 2025 · Filed: March 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while starting. Additionally, while stopped in traffic, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the camshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Engine

ODI #11716609

Incident: September 2, 2025 · Filed: February 8, 2026

I had to replace the Oil Fliter housing with oil cooler because it was made out of plastic and caused an oil and antifreeze. The repair man told me that engine part were made out of plastic and tend to fail over time.

Electrical System

ODI #11716607

Incident: February 6, 2026 · Filed: February 8, 2026

Complete electrical failure while driving on the Highway. I barely was able to get over without causing an accident. The car without notice went dead and no power. I couldn't turn the steering wheel. Lots of warning lights started flashing then completely dead.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Visibility; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11713377

Incident: May 26, 2025 · Filed: January 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for maintenance, the contact was informed that the water pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the visit, the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not found. The failure persisted. On a separate occasion, while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger's side door failed to open as intended from the outside, and the front passenger's side door only opened from the inside of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the front passenger’s side rear window failed to function as intended. There was an abnormal sound while rolling up the window, and the window failed to roll up. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that prior to the other failures, the sliding cover on the sunroof failed to function as intended. The sliding cover was stuck, and the contact was unable to move the sliding cover. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). However, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired for the failure. Most recently, when the vehicle was restarted, the message "Passenger Restraint System Malfunction" was displayed. The contact used a personal scanner to clear the message. The vehicle was not repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Engine

ODI #11706087

Fire

Incident: December 14, 2025 · Filed: December 19, 2025

The contact owned a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, she noticed there was smoke emerging from underneath the hood, and it caught fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The service warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployments, or crashes. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The local dealer was contacted, but there was no assistance provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,800.

Engine

ODI #11690429

Incident: September 29, 2025 · Filed: September 29, 2025

The timing chain jumped, shredding the plastic teeth which ended up in oil pump causing complete engine shut down. The certified mechanic says this is a known design flaw in the N20 engines.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11686617

Incident: September 15, 2024 · Filed: September 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed and left at the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11682527

Incident: August 22, 2025 · Filed: August 22, 2025

Current owner of a 2015 BMW X1 bought in Feb 2025. Was informed by the car dealer at that time there is currently an unresolved important safety recall campaign for NHTSA Recall Number 24V608000 - "Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit" opened back in August 2024. I reached out to the local BMW dealer for a status update if the remedy was available and they indicated a remedy is still not available. They had me contact BMW Customer Relations for a better status update. BMW Customer Relations indicated the remedy is still not available for this recall and no ETA. They only told me to keep checking back with my BMW dealer -- which I have done numerous times over several weeks. This recall has been out since August 2024 and it is well beyond a reasonable amount of time for a remedy to this recall. This is an urgent enough issue that needs to be resolved now to avoid any fire risks.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11682458

Incident: October 1, 2024 · Filed: August 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X1. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that there was a whistling sound coming from the vehicle while driving. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The “Service Soon” message was displayed. The service and oil messages were displayed on the information screen. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11681438

Incident: August 18, 2025 · Filed: August 18, 2025

There is an outstanding recall concerning coolant pump fire hazard. It has been more than a year since I got a recall notice. When I contacted a local BMW dealer, they said there is no remedy available YET. This is an urgent issue the manufacture must fix it soon. The wait has been too long!

Other BMW X1 model years

Check your 2015 BMW X1 VIN

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

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