Reliable Auto DB

2018 BMW X1 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2018 BMW X1 has 59 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 11 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 4 recalls on file, including Tie rod, Roof and pillars, and Tail lights.

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

59

Per year

11

Recalls

4

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (22 of 59), then Electrical system (8) and Air bags (6). The most filings arrived in 2019 (25 of 59). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 X1 has 156 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 11 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

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 2018 BMW X1. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall steering, linkages, tie rod 2019-08-14 · NHTSA campaign 19V601000
Summary 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.
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.
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 exterior lighting, tail lights 2019-01-30 · NHTSA campaign 19V074000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Engine 2018-07-12 · NHTSA campaign 18V465000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (59 total)

Structure
22
Electrical system
8
Air bags
6
Engine
5
Visibility and wipers
4
Seat belts
3
Steering
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Powertrain
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Equipment
1
Exterior lighting
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Service brakes
1
Suspension
1
Wheels
1
Show 10 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

5

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

4201825201942020220217202222023720244202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "On May 20, 2026 We were in Mt Dora, FL We were approaching a red light. Cars were stopped in front of us and cars were beside me and behind me. As I slowed down the car just stalled out. It completely turned off while I…"
    Engine · filed 2026-06-30
  • "• What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I have a 2018 BMW X1 that has about 60,000 miles on it. So far, I have had to have the windshield replaced four times…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-06-17
  • "The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine and engine overheating warning lights became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to…"
    Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system · filed 2026-03-03
  • "While driving my vehicle at normal highway and city speeds, I noticed a serious steering issue where the steering wheel feels excessively loose and unresponsive. The vehicle does not track straight and constantly drifts…"
    Steering, Suspension, Wheels · filed 2026-01-17
  • "In November I noticed a noise when steering. I took my suv to the mechanic shop and they located the following recall from your website: recall 19V601000 the tie rod assembly. I contacted BMW of North America and they…"
    Steering · filed 2025-12-15

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 BMW X1 SUV AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2018 BMW X1 SUV FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

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 2017 BMW X1 Next year 2019 BMW X1 See every BMW X1 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 BMW X1 reliable?

The 2018 BMW X1 has 59 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 11 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 4 recalls on file, including Tie rod, Roof and pillars, and Tail lights.

What are common problems with a 2018 BMW X1?

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (22 of 59), then Electrical system (8) and Air bags (6). The most filings arrived in 2019 (25 of 59). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Is the 2018 BMW X1 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 X1 has 156 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 11 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 BMW X1 been recalled?

The 2018 BMW X1 has 4 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 2018 BMW X1?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2018 BMW X1 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 BMW X1 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 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).