VehicleVerdict

2019 BMW X1 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2019 BMW X1 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

17

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other X1 years?

X1 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted209 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 60 complaints2014: 89 complaints2015: 87 complaints2016: 186 complaints2017: 209 complaints2018: 79 complaints2019: 17 complaints2020: 18 complaints2021: 10 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 116 complaints2024: 49 complaints2025: 23 complaints2026: 1 complaints
X1 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all X1 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 BMW X1 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System529%
Engine318%
Body & Structure212%
Driver Assistance212%
Other212%
Suspension16%
Transmission16%
Visibility & Wipers16%

Does the 2019 BMW X1 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V601000SteeringAugust 14, 2019 · 32 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

19V349000Body & StructureMay 9, 2019 · 106,182 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

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.

19V074000LightingJanuary 30, 2019 · 5,920 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY 2019 X1 WITH 17000 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO A SAFE AREA. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 14, 2020

“MY 2019 X1 WITH 17000 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO A SAFE AREA. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 14, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW X1. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V349000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT CALLED ELMHURST BMW (500 W LAKE ST, ELMHURST, IL 60126) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE DATE FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE WAS UNKNOWN. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 1, 2019

“MY 2019 X1 WITH 17000 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE LANE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO A SAFE AREA. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 14, 2020

2019 BMW X1 — common questions

Is the 2019 BMW X1 reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2019 X1 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints), other (2 complaints).

Does the 2019 BMW X1 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 BMW X1. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW X1 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the X1 years to avoid are 2017, 2016, 2023, 2014, 2015, 2018. The cleanest record among X1 years belongs to 2012.

How safe is the 2019 BMW X1?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 BMW X1 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.