Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2017 BMW X1 SAV with NHTSA between 2017 and 2019.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the BMW X1 SAV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 BMW X1 SAV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
654.5%
Median failure at 6,900 miles
Other & Unspecified
218.2%
Median failure at 7,007 miles
Wheels
19.1%
Median failure at 13,326 miles
Brakes
19.1%
Median failure at 13,326 miles
Electrical System
19.1%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
111.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
555.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
333.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2017peak 2Jul 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2017 BMW X1 SAV
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Ocala, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS HELPING MY COLLIE INTO THE BACK OF THE SUV TO TAKE HER TO THE VETS AND THE LIFT GATE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN COMING DOWN WHEN SHE WAS HALF IN. I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO STOP IT AND MY DOG STARTED FALLING OUT, WHEN I TUNED RO CATCH HER THE LIFT GATE HIT MY HEAD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT I FELL ON MY KNEES AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION THAT I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH. THAT LIFT GATE HAS AUTOMATICALLY COME DOWN AT LEAST A COUPLE DOZEN TIMES AS WE PUT THINGS IN THAT BACK SUCH AS GROCERIES OR BOXES. WE USUALLY MANAGE TO GET OUT IF THE WAY. WE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER BUT IT WORKED FINE WHEN THE TECH CHECKED IT AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW OF OCALA, FLORIDA AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THEIR MAIN OFFICE IN NJ. I AM REPORTING IT BECAUSE THIS COULD POSSIBLY KILL A PERSON OR PET.. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR MAY HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE I WAS PUTTING THINGS IN THE CAR FOR MY DOG, BUT I'M NOT SURE.
NHTSA complaint #11084211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS HELPING MY COLLIE INTO THE BACK OF THE SUV TO TAKE HER TO THE VETS AND THE LIFT GATE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN COMING DOWN WHEN SHE WAS HALF IN. I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO STOP IT AND MY DOG STARTED FALLING OUT, WHEN I TUNED RO CATCH HER THE LIFT GATE HIT MY HEAD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT I FELL ON MY KNEES AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION THAT I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH. THAT LIFT GATE HAS AUTOMATICALLY COME DOWN AT LEAST A COUPLE DOZEN TIMES AS WE PUT THINGS IN THAT BACK SUCH AS GROCERIES OR BOXES. WE USUALLY MANAGE TO GET OUT IF THE WAY. WE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER BUT IT WORKED FINE WHEN THE TECH CHECKED IT AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW OF OCALA, FLORIDA AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THEIR MAIN OFFICE IN NJ. I AM REPORTING IT BECAUSE THIS COULD POSSIBLY KILL A PERSON OR PET.. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR MAY HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE I WAS PUTTING THINGS IN THE CAR FOR MY DOG, BUT I'M NOT SURE.
NHTSA complaint #11084211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100 milesMaryville, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY
AUTOMATIC TAILGATE MALFUNCTIONS. TOE KICK FUNCTIONS RESPOND ERRATICALLY 50% OF THE TIME. THE TAILGATE HAS CLOSED ON MY HEAD WHILE LOADING/UNLOADING. IT HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS OPENED ONLY HALFWAY AND STALLED WHILE STATIONARY, AND MORE IMPORTANT IT HAS STALLED HALFWAY WHILE CLOSING. I RECENTLY PRESSED THE CLOSE BUTTON AND DROVE OFF WITH THE TAILGATE HALF CLOSED, AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL SOMEONE BEHIND ME BLEW THE HORN. ITEMS IN THE CARGO AREA COULD TUMBLE TO THE HIGHWAY AND CREATE A POSSIBLE HAZARD. IT HAS BEEN IN THE BMW SERVICE DEPART 6 TO 8 TIMES AND INSPECTED AT LEAST TWICE BY SOMEONE FROM BMW OF N. AMERICA. INASMUCH AS IT IS ERRATIC THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I CONTEND IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE WHICH SHOULD BE CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS EVIDENCE TO BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. I HAVE HAD A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA AND THE TAILGATE CLOSING ON MY HEAD IS NO SMALL CONCERN. BMW REFUSES TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAS SHOWN INDIFFERENCE. THE ISSUE CONTINUES TO PERSIST.
NHTSA complaint #11231069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,326 milesRiverside, CA
WHEELS
MY BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, HAVE BEEN REPAIRED & REPLACED BY BMW THREE TIMES. THE CALIPERS EASILY AGE AND RUST, AND DO NOT HOLD THE PADS AGAINST THR ROTORS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #11152131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,326 milesRiverside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, HAVE BEEN REPAIRED & REPLACED BY BMW THREE TIMES. THE CALIPERS EASILY AGE AND RUST, AND DO NOT HOLD THE PADS AGAINST THR ROTORS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #11152131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,800 milesLOS Angeles, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CAR WAS ON AND IN DRIVE, BUT FULLY STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE REAR DOOR OPENED WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INPUT. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #11109769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesSanta Monica, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BACK HATCH CLOSES SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT MOTION. THE CAR IS PARKED, THEN I MAY SIT ON THE TRUNK OF THE CAR PUTTING ON MY GOLF SHOES AND THE HATCH CLOSES ON ME UNTIL I PUSH IT BACK. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AT THE REGULAR ONE-YEAR SERVICE AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #11098797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesSanta Monica, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE BACK HATCH CLOSES SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT MOTION. THE CAR IS PARKED, THEN I MAY SIT ON THE TRUNK OF THE CAR PUTTING ON MY GOLF SHOES AND THE HATCH CLOSES ON ME UNTIL I PUSH IT BACK. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AT THE REGULAR ONE-YEAR SERVICE AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #11098797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS HELPING MY COLLIE INTO THE BACK OF THE SUV TO TAKE HER TO THE VETS AND THE LIFT GATE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN COMING DOWN WHEN SHE WAS HALF IN. I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO STOP IT AND MY DOG STARTED FALLING OUT, WHEN I TUNED RO CATCH HER THE LIFT GATE HIT MY HEAD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT I FELL ON MY KNEES AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION THAT I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH. THAT LIFT GATE HAS AUTOMATICALLY COME DOWN AT LEAST A COUPLE DOZEN TIMES AS WE PUT THINGS IN THAT BACK SUCH AS GROCERIES OR BOXES. WE USUALLY MANAGE TO GET OUT IF THE WAY. WE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER BUT IT WORKED FINE WHEN THE TECH CHECKED IT AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW OF OCALA, FLORIDA AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THEIR MAIN OFFICE IN NJ. I AM REPORTING IT BECAUSE THIS COULD POSSIBLY KILL A PERSON OR PET.. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR MAY HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE I WAS PUTTING THINGS IN THE CAR FOR MY DOG, BUT I'M NOT SURE.
NHTSA complaint #11084211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH, I WAS HELPING MY COLLIE INTO THE BACK OF THE SUV TO TAKE HER TO THE VETS AND THE LIFT GATE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN COMING DOWN WHEN SHE WAS HALF IN. I PUSHED THE BUTTON TO STOP IT AND MY DOG STARTED FALLING OUT, WHEN I TUNED RO CATCH HER THE LIFT GATE HIT MY HEAD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT I FELL ON MY KNEES AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION THAT I AM STILL STRUGGLING WITH. THAT LIFT GATE HAS AUTOMATICALLY COME DOWN AT LEAST A COUPLE DOZEN TIMES AS WE PUT THINGS IN THAT BACK SUCH AS GROCERIES OR BOXES. WE USUALLY MANAGE TO GET OUT IF THE WAY. WE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER BUT IT WORKED FINE WHEN THE TECH CHECKED IT AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW OF OCALA, FLORIDA AND HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THEIR MAIN OFFICE IN NJ. I AM REPORTING IT BECAUSE THIS COULD POSSIBLY KILL A PERSON OR PET.. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR MAY HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE I WAS PUTTING THINGS IN THE CAR FOR MY DOG, BUT I'M NOT SURE.
NHTSA complaint #11084211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesSlidell, LA
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR HATCH UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSES AND WILL HIT YOU IF YOU CAN'T MOVE QUICKLY ENOUGH. I SUSPECT IT HAPPENS IF YOUR FEET MOVE UNDER THE BUMPER WHEN LOADING OR UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, TRIGGERING THE AUTOMATIC OPEN/CLOSE SENSORS. CAR PARKED. AN WARNING BEEP OCCURS BUT THIS ONLY HAPPENS AFTER THE HATCH HAS STARTED TO CLOSE. IT WILL HIT YOU. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 2 WEEKS AND IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. ONLINE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #11048254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesPflugerville, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
X1 WITH COMFORT ACCESS PACKAGE. POWER TAILGATE OFTEN CLOSES UNPROMPTED WHEN PUTTING GROCERIES ECT IN THE BACK OF THE PARKED CAR. CLOSED TWICE WHILE I WAS CHANGING A TODDLER'S DIAPER IN THE BACK ALMOST HITTING ME AND HER. BOTH FEET WERE FIRMLY ON THE GROUND WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NOBODY WAS TOUCHING THE KEY. LUCKILY IT BEEPS BEFORE CLOSING BUT IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF CAUGHT IN THE CLOSING DOOR. THE TAILGATE ALSO OPENS AT RANDOM TIMES JUST WHEN WALKING PAST THE REAR OF THE PARKED CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO BLAME BOTH ISSUES ON ME INADVERTENTLY PRESSING THE KEY, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES SINCE I ORIGINALLY REPORTED IT TO MY SALESMAN ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T REPLICATE IT AND IT IS MY FAULT. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THE X1 FOR THOSE WITH COMFORT ACCESS.
NHTSA complaint #11030631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,015 milesPalm Springs, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
"TAKATA RECALL" PULLING CAR OUT OF GARAGE IN REVERSE AND SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD SPEWING GLASS EVERYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #10995260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.