NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 BMW X1 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 BMW X1 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 60 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 2018 BMW X1, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 BMW X1 owner complaints

Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X1, describing incidents dated December 26, 2017 to August 2, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Structure 22 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 15 complaints
  • Electrical System 8 complaints
  • Engine 8 complaints
  • Air Bags 6 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 4 complaints

Of the 60 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 60 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11772021 · Filed

    On XXX we finalized the sale through a online purchase. XXX The car was shipped & received to our residential address from [XXX] to [XXX] XXX. The front drivers side tire exploded on the highway in normal road conditions at about 50-55MPH… we had it towed to Mar Mac tire. Our insurance(Geico)…

  • ODI #11747527 · Filed

    On May 20, 2026 We were in Mt Dora, FL We were approaching a red light. Cars were stopped in front of us and cars were beside me and behind me. As I slowed down the car just stalled out. It completely turned off while I was in drive. I immediately tried to start it. Then I put my foot on the brake…

  • ODI #11744674 · Filed

    • What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I have a 2018 BMW X1 that has about 60,000 miles on it. So far, I have had to have the windshield replaced four times due to pebbles hitting and cracking the windshield when on the highway. This…

Read all 60 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 BMW X1 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.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Steering Gear Tie Rod may Break

NHTSA #19V601000 · Steering — Linkages — Tie Rod Assembly · NHTSA notice

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

Potentially affected: 32 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified October 11, 2019 · Vehicles built July 28, 2017 – November 25, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Occupant Injury in the Event of a Crash/FMVSS 201

NHTSA #19V349000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice

Reported May 9, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 106,182 vehicles

Repair completion: 92.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 27, 2019 · Vehicles built March 10, 2015 – May 2, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

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.

Taillights May Loosen and Detach

NHTSA #19V074000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported January 30, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 5,920 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 28, 2019 · Vehicles built October 5, 2018 – January 18, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Crankshaft Sensor Firmware may Cause Stall

NHTSA #18V465000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported July 11, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 5,309 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 6, 2018 · Vehicles built May 16, 2018 – June 6, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.

Safety consequence

A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 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.

Other BMW X1 model years

Check your 2018 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.

Check a BMW VIN