Reliable Auto DB

2016 BMW X1 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X1 over 11 years — 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most X1 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Roof and pillars, Retractor, and Steering gearbox.

2012 BMW X1
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

159

Per year

3

Recalls

3

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (33 of 159), then Visibility and wipers (18) and Structure (17). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 X1 has 0 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2017 has 156 complaints, 4 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 BMW X1. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall structure, body, roof and pillars 2019-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 19V349000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall seat belts, front, retractor 2016-10-17 · NHTSA campaign 16V747000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall steering, steering gearbox 2015-12-30 · NHTSA campaign 15V887000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicle manufactured November 24, 2015, and one BMW X1 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) manufactured October, 19 2015. The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Remedy BMW will replace the steering gearbox, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (159 total)

Powertrain
33
Visibility and wipers
18
Structure
17
Electrical system
13
Engine
8
Service brakes
8
Air bags
4
Steering
4
Suspension
4
Speed control
3
Seat belts
2
Visibility
2
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Lane departure
1
Tires
1
Wheels
1
Show 10 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

420164201722018720191520202620213020223820232320249202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Known HVAC-produced moisture drainage issue that cause water to get trapped inside the system and cabin air filter housing, causing significant mold or mildew to grow on the filter itself and spread spores through cabin…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-01-05
  • "- Roof and pillars I have been having for almost a year when trying to open and slide on the track. It is harsh and noisy. - Engine oil filter housing and coolant leak. This issue is critical. Finally on April 10, 2025…"
    Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-06-17
  • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was…"
    Electrical system · filed 2025-06-09
  • "About 24 months back the sunroof curtain of my BMW X1 started having problems when I retract or operate it. It used to make stretching noises when I tried to open my sunroof and after a few times I heard a crackling…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2025-06-02
  • "My 2016 BMW X1 28i is leaking coolant. I am also getting a smell of something burning inside the car when driving. This is consistent with problems associated with the 2024 recall for water pump. I was told by my…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-06-02

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
X1 xDrive28i 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 22 31 25 MPG $3200

Specs and fitment

F48 generation, 2016–2022
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (B46/B48) , 5.6 qt capacity
Tire size 205/60R17, 225/55R17, 225/50R18 or 225/45ZR19 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V349000 covers certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and xDrive28i vehicles (~106,182 units) that may not absorb enough B-pillar impact energy in a crash to meet FMVSS 201; dealers replace the upper interior B-pillar trim pieces. This generation moved to the front-wheel-drive UKL2 platform and B48 four-cylinder engines, leaving behind the N20 timing-chain settlement class that applied to the prior E84.

Compare

Next year 2017 BMW X1 See every BMW X1 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 BMW X1 reliable?

Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X1 over 11 years — 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most X1 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Roof and pillars, Retractor, and Steering gearbox.

What are common problems with a 2016 BMW X1?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (33 of 159), then Visibility and wipers (18) and Structure (17). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 BMW X1 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 X1 has 0 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2017 has 156 complaints, 4 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017.

Has the 2016 BMW X1 been recalled?

The 2016 BMW X1 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 BMW X1?

Owners have filed 159 complaints about the 2016 BMW X1 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 BMW X1 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 BMW X1 is 25 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a BMW X1 use?

E84 models commonly use 0W-20 (28i N20) or 0W-30 (35i N55); F48/U11 gasoline models commonly use 0W-20 (~5.6 qt with filter on B46/B48).

What tire sizes does a BMW X1 use?

OEM sizes span about 205/60R17 through 225/45ZR19 (and staggered rear packages on some E84 options); confirm the door placard.

What timing-chain settlement covers certain early X1 models?

N20/N26-powered 2012-2015 X1 SAV models were included in the Gelis timing chain and oil-pump drive chain class-action settlement (BMW SI B11 02 21).