Reliable Auto DB

2017 BMW X1 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 BMW X1 holds 156 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 4 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 2 recalls on file, including Roof and pillars and Retractor.

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

156

Per year

4

Recalls

2

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (57 of 156), then Service brakes (26) and Electrical system (24). Those filings include 3 that report a crash and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 X1 has 159 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2018 has 59 complaints, 11 per year. The 2017 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

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 2017 BMW X1. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

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.

Complaints by component (156 total)

Powertrain
57
Service brakes
26
Electrical system
24
Structure
20
Engine
12
Back-over prevention
4
Air bags
3
Engine and engine cooling
3
Forward collision avoidance
3
Seat belts
3
Suspension
3
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Lane departure
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Wheels
1
Show 7 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120181020194202014202144202230202330202419202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I am reporting a recurring safety warning on my 2017 BMW X1 xDrive28i. The vehicle repeatedly displays the message “Secure vehicle against rolling” on the dashboard even though the gear selector indicates that the…"
    Unknown or other, Service brakes · filed 2026-09-09
  • "The BMX1 overheated while parked and on with no warning of any levels being low or any obvious issues for it to overheat. I just saw the starter and overheated recall which led me to check my suv."
    Engine · filed 2026-07-24
  • "What You’re Noticing (and Why It Matters) 1. Engine Mounts Wearing Out Engine mounts can wear over time, but premature failure (early loosening, vibration, clunking) can point to: Defective parts Poor design for that…"
    Suspension, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2026-03-20
  • "Secure vehicle against rolling error"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-01-24
  • "I am writing to formally file a report regarding the severe mechanical damage to the vehicle I purchased on June 14th, 2024, identified as A 2017 BMW- X1 sDrive28i, with VIN NUMBER [XXX] . It has come to my attention…"
    Wheels, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2025-11-26

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 BMW X1 SUV AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2017 BMW X1 SUV RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
X1 sDrive28i 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 32 26 MPG $3050
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

Previous year 2016 BMW X1 Next year 2018 BMW X1 See every BMW X1 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 BMW X1 reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 BMW X1 holds 156 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 4 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 2 recalls on file, including Roof and pillars and Retractor.

What are common problems with a 2017 BMW X1?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (57 of 156), then Service brakes (26) and Electrical system (24). Those filings include 3 that report a crash and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 BMW X1 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 X1 has 159 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2018 has 59 complaints, 11 per year. The 2017 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 BMW X1 been recalled?

The 2017 BMW X1 has 2 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 2017 BMW X1?

Owners have filed 156 complaints about the 2017 BMW X1 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 BMW X1 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 BMW X1 is 25.5 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).