14 of the
79 complaints about the 2018 BMW X1 are about the
other systems — 18% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
14,500 miles.
On the evening of July 10, 2025, while driving a 2018 BMW X1, I experienced a sudden cascade of dashboard alerts, including warnings for the airbag, chassis system, and right signal headlight. The system advised moderate driving and service. Moments later, all dashboard lights activated simultaneously. I pulled over and placed the vehicle in park. Within seconds, smoke began rising from the front-right corner of the engine compartment, followed by visible flames. My daughter was in the car with me. We had to evacuate immediately, and contacted emergency services from the roadside. The fire was extinguished by first responders, and the vehicle was later towed. This event put both of us in immediate danger. It occurred just five days after service on the right front headlight was performed by an authorized dealership. While the issue has not yet been confirmed by the manufacturer or service center, the timing and location raise serious concerns. The vehicle was inspected by the fire department, and an insurance claim is currently under investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11672642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle River, AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Was driving down the highway at 70 MPH when my sunroof suddenly exploded. There was no damage to the sunroof prior to the explosion and there was no outside object that fell onto the sunroof that could have caused it to explode. Thankfully I had the liner closed on the inside of the vehicle and I did not have the glass shatter on to me physically. However, if the liner had not been closed there could have been physical damage to myself and possibly caused me to have a motor vehicle accident. I took my vehicle to the dealership and the technician informed that he has at least 4 BMW vehicles per month with sunroof explosion. I also contacted BMW USA and notified them of the incident, and they stated there was no open recall on my vehicle. As stated before I feel this is a HUGE safety issue that warrants further investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11583632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I came outside this afternoon to my Panaromic sunroof shattered. I researched if this has happened to any other BMW users and it did. As a matter of fact, BMW was hit with severe lawsuits. How do I make them accountable for the repairs?
NHTSA complaint #11477940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bainbridge Island, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving (car moving and in Drive) the rear hatch opened on the vehicle to about a mid-way position completely obscuring vision from rear view mirror. Fortunately I was able to pull to the side of the road and nothing fell out of the cargo area. Key fob was in my pocket - no buttons were pushed (on purpose or accidentally).
NHTSA complaint #11421285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesEaston, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE HEATER BLOWER CEASED WORKING. THE BACK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A 3RD TIME, AND THE FACTORY NEVER SEALED THE AIR FILTER FOR THE ENGINE PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #11397695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,500 milesHomer Glen, ILFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR HAD 14,500 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURED. MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO CHICAGO AND BACK , UPON RETURNING SHE PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE REMOVED SOME GROCERIES THE CAME BACK TO GET THE REST AND THE CAR WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE THEN CALLED ME AS I WAS NOT HOME AND ASKED WHAT TO DO, I TOLD HER TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND BECAUSE OF THE INTENSE SMOKE SAID SHE WAS AFRAID SO I TOLD HER TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT. WHICH SHE DID. 30 MINUTES LATTER THE CAR AND GARAGE AND ALL CONTENTS WERE DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #11338903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coram, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE FAIL TO CONFIRM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NUMBER 201 "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT"
NHTSA complaint #11303028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aliso Viejo, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SAFETY RECALL IN APRIL WITH STILL NO FIX OR EVEN ESTIMATED TIME FRAME ON FIX AS OF NOVEMBER.
NHTSA complaint #11281405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesForest Hills, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS A ROTTEN FOUL ODOR COMING OUT OF THE CAR VENTS WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT TURNED ON. THE SMELL SLOWLY DISAPPEARS WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER.
NHTSA complaint #11245911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesPomona, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UPON START UP, VEHICLE AC SYSTEM RELEASES FOUL MUSKY SMELL FOR AN UNDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME THAT'S MORE PREVALENT DURING THE SUMMER/WARM WEATHER. CLEANING THE AC EVAPORATOR CORE PER BMW SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS ONLY BRIEFLY ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE SMELL COMES BACK FULL FORCE AGAIN. THIS IS A HEALTH CONCERN AS THERE IS DEFINITELY MOLD, MILDEW OR BACTERIA GROWING WITHIN THE AC SYSTEM. THESE GERMS ARE THEN GETTING PUMPED INTO A CONFINED SPACE, WHICH WILL LIKELY CAUSE OR EXACERBATE HEALTH CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OR BREATHING. THIS MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, TOXIC INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT OR WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #11243574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesFlushing, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VERTICAL TRIM PIECE IT IS NOT COMPLYING WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS TOOK IT IN TO SHO AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT SO I AM DRIVING IN AN UNSAFE SUV BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO FIX IT FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #11240625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inman, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS A NON COMPLIANT RECALL REMEDY UNAVAILABLE FOR A TRIM PIECE INSIDE THE CAR BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR DOORS AND IN AN EVENT OF A CRASH CAN POSE SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY TO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS. I HAVE MY GRANDSON IN MY CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY AND MY SON. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WANT TO GIVE THIS CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY WITH NO HASSLE OR REPERCUSSIONS. I AM LOOKING FOR A OTHER CAR EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! I NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT COME BACK TO HAUNT US! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENS RIGHT AWAY? BECAUSE I AM AFRAID NOW TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND IT'S NOT MY FAULT. WHEN I TALKED TO BMW THEY SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A REMEDY AND THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TRADE FOR OR SELL THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11235324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED ISSUES YET BUT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE CAR THAT AFFECTS MY BACKSEAT PASSENGERS AND BMW HAS NOT MADE ANY STEPS TO FIX IT AND WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #11233896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR HAS BEEN IN RECALL MODE SINCE APRIL WITH NO REMEDY! THIS IS CRAZY.
NHTSA complaint #11233132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.