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2015 BMW X1

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 BMW X1 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

experience issues starting up due to a failure of the starter motor. Repeated attempts at stating the vehicle can cause the motor to overheat due to an electrical overload, potentially catching combustible materials in the engine compartment and increasing the risk of fire.

NHTSA ODI #11607785

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2023
EngineFire

The engine caught on fire - While driving the car, the engine suddenly started running poorly. Check engine lights went on and the car went into limp mode. Smoke came out of the engine compartment. We were able to pull over to the side of the road. The engine died and would not start. The car was towed to an independant repair s…

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The engine caught on fire - While driving the car, the engine suddenly started running poorly. Check engine lights went on and the car went into limp mode. Smoke came out of the engine compartment. We were able to pull over to the side of the road. The engine died and would not start. The car was towed to an independant repair shop and then to the BMW dealer. BMW of NA sent a field investigation team to inspect the car. BMW said there was "thermal activity in the engine compartment where the intake ducting was partially melted". BMW would not release a copy of the report. The insurance company is inspecting the car now. Photos are available. This might be related to NHTSA recall number 22V-119.

NHTSA ODI #11538594

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

The engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship. The vehicle currently has 60,128 miles. The vehicle's "service engine soon", warning light began appearing intermittently and now it is constantly on. The car has a stored code (P0597) Thermostat Heater Control Circuit/Open.This vehicle has…

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The engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship. The vehicle currently has 60,128 miles. The vehicle's "service engine soon", warning light began appearing intermittently and now it is constantly on. The car has a stored code (P0597) Thermostat Heater Control Circuit/Open.This vehicle has a current technical service bulletin for a defective thermostat for this model year; however, the VIN number is not included. This should be investigated further as this Technical service bulletin(SI B01 01 16) suggests that PRODUCTION date is NOT the sole determinate, but rather, the entire model year is just as imperative!! The local BMW dealership is refusing to repair the vehicle despite having premature failure with the thermostat heater control circuit/open for this model year vehicle and with a currently illuminated warning light and code (P0597). Although the technical service bulletin states that the model year & model numbers are both covered, the bulletin further states: 1) ."Note: The MY 2015 vehicles produced up to and including January 31, 2015 (as applicable) have been added to this bulletin December 2017"; and, 2) "Please do not use a vehicle’s production date as the sole determinate for this coverage, the vehicle’s “model year” is also an important determinate."

NHTSA ODI #11488160

22,000 miles · Apr 22, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

22,000 ACTUAL MILES OILFITER HOUSING LEAK ON ENGINE AND CYLINDER COVER IS PLASTIC LIKE ON OTHER X1 SDRIVE . LEAKING ON ELECTRICAL PARTS AND SMOKE TERRIBLE WHEN COME TOO STOP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS ABAD PLASTIC PART AND GASKET LEAK WITH HOLLY ANY MILES. 22,000 SOMETHING MILES WHEN PURCHASE ONLINE . DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TOO S…

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22,000 ACTUAL MILES OILFITER HOUSING LEAK ON ENGINE AND CYLINDER COVER IS PLASTIC LIKE ON OTHER X1 SDRIVE . LEAKING ON ELECTRICAL PARTS AND SMOKE TERRIBLE WHEN COME TOO STOP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS ABAD PLASTIC PART AND GASKET LEAK WITH HOLLY ANY MILES. 22,000 SOMETHING MILES WHEN PURCHASE ONLINE . DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TOO SAY IT'S A FIRE HAZARD IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE I JUST HOPE OTHERS TOO DON'T NOTICE IT AND CAR CATCHES ON FIRE AS REPORTED FOR OTHER X1 2015 SDRIVE 28I MY CAR NEED A RECALL ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #11413314

48,000 miles · Jan 25, 2021
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE HOOD THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE AND UNDER HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER VISTA BMW COCO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE HOOD THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE AND UNDER HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER VISTA BMW COCONUT CREEK (4401 W SAMPLE RD, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073: (954) 905-4461) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION CORD AND OIL PAN WAS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11389848

48,000 miles · Dec 13, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

OIL PAN LEAKING OIL LEAKS IN 4 PLACES SMOKING FROM OIL LEAKS THAT COULD POSSIBLE RUIN THE ENGINE POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE TIMING BELT MODULE TICKING LOUD DEFECTIVE

NHTSA ODI #11383234

Official recalls

2

24V608000 · Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump

Aug 13, 2024

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.