The small SUV segment is picking up pace since the small families in the States prefer a compact package that can do everything. These cars can easily do the daily errands and be good highway mile munchers as well. One such example based on the small SUV formula is the BMW X1. The Bavarian carmaker has entered the X1 as the smallest offering in its SUV range and has already sold 26,500 units of the same. The X1 rivals the Buick Encore, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, and the MINI Countryman while also sharing some sales pie with the Ford Escape. The 2015 X1 has seen good sales to date but is subject to three recalls and 48 complaints as well, along with 48 complaints registered on the NHTSA’s website. One read of the page reveals the airbag issue in the X1 that everyone criticizes on unofficial forums. Let’s see what all other issues the owners have faced during their ownership of the X1.
2015 BMW X1 Problems
Electrical issues:
- Fogging headlamp issue: Many people have reported the X1’s headlamps fogging up and causing condensation inside. The dealership-level investigations of the same reveal an improper sealing and suggest replacing the whole unit which, needless to say, is an expensive repair. The fogging up is not specific to one weather but is observed all year round.
- Door lock issues: Once the X1s hit a good mileage on the odometer, the door locks start acting up. People report the X1 door locks to jam and not open from the inside, even after pressing the keyfob. In some cases, the doors don’t lock at all which makes it unsafe to drive with kids inside. The issue is communicated to BMW but no action has been taken.
- Wiring harness issues: As with many other cars in the segment, the wiring harness of the X1 is a favorite for all the rodents nearby that get attracted to the car. These rodents chew up the outer layer of the harness and cause the car to display a myriad of electrical issues on the instrument cluster. Though not much has been said about the issue, the wiring damage can turn ugly at any time.
Mechanical issues:
- Engine mount issues: Some people have reported the engine mounts in their cars to fail and cause a lot of vibration while driving. The engine mounts go off at very low mileage on the odometer, sometimes as low as 12,000 miles.
- Timing chain issues: Many people have reported the timing chain in their X1s coming loose and causing serious engine troubles. BMW has acknowledged the issue and is providing a 7-year/70,000 miles warranty on the same and will change the timing chai at their own expense.
- Braking problems: The pressure on the X1 brake pedal is reported to reduce to nil and cause collisions with the objects/vehicles nearby. Although the brake pressure resumes after a couple of pumps to the pedal, the issue is grave and might cause serious injuries at any time.
Safety issues:
- Airbag deployment issues: The 2015 X1 airbag issues have put the car, and the carmaker, under a lot of criticism. May people reported accidents and collisions and, in the majority of these, the airbags didn’t deploy and caused injuries to the occupants.
2015 BMW X1 Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
February 5, 2016 |
16V071000 |
Airbags |
Excessive internal pressure on the driver's frontal airbag inflator might rupture it and cause metal fragments to strike the occupants, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
BMW will notify the owners and initiate a recall on March 9, 2018. The dealerships will replace the driver's frontal airbag module without any charge. |
|
2. |
January 14, 2019 |
19V016000 |
Airbags |
Propellant degradation in the driver's frontal airbag inflator might rupture it and cause metal fragments to strike the occupants, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
BMW will notify the owners and initiate a recall on March 14, 2019. The dealerships will replace the driver's frontal airbag module without any charge. |
|
3. |
January 15, 2020 |
20V017000 |
Airbags |
Propellant degradation in the driver's frontal airbag inflator might rupture it and cause metal fragments to strike the occupants, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
BMW will notify the owners and initiate a recall on March 11, 2020. The dealerships will replace the driver's frontal airbag module without any charge. |
Should you buy the 2015 BMW X1?
The 2015 BMW X1 does a pretty good job of justifying its price. Although there are some issues that one needs to take care of, the X1 makes for a pretty reliable bet overall. The Bavarian carmaker provides more than enough for the customer to come and resolve his/her query at the dealerships. There are three recalls made for the same component showing BMW’s approach to ensuring customer safety. We’d recommend the X1 to everyone looking for a luxurious small SUV that is a perfect mix of all the parameters one would expect in the segment.
