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2016 BMW X1

Gas
Large Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA159
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 BMW X1 is sold in the U.S. as a gas large car. The most efficient version, the X1 xDrive28i, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 159 complaints, most often about the power train.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
X1 xDrive28iGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$3,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36936.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 BMW X1 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Structure

106,182 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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."RiskIn the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V349000reported May 9, 2019BMW of North America, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

15,455 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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."RiskIn the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V747000reported Oct 17, 2016BMW of North America, LLC
▲high

Steering

2 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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.RiskA gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V887000reported Dec 30, 2015BMW of North America, LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
159complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 15 · 2021: 26 · 2022: 30 · 2023: 38 · 2024: 23 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Unspecified64
Power Train33
Visibility/Wiper18
Structure17
Electrical System13
Engine8

What owners describe

“Panoramic roof shade blind has detached (failed) from its frame and fallen sagging in my sight and blocking the view of the driver while operating the vehicle. Many reports of the same problem of owner community on the internet.”May 9, 2022 · Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the airbag was faulty and the airbag module might be damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notifie…”Apr 26, 2022 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“The sunroof shadescreen failed to close: it is a safety issue because it is impossible to close the shade anymore and the sun is hitting your head and eyes all the time: when I first noticed it I was driving and a sound came from the sun roof and if I looked it would have been a crash. Taking to the dealership iwould c…”Apr 24, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other X1 model years

B

2026 BMW X1

2 recalls · 1 complaints

C

2025 BMW X1

3 recalls · 14 complaints

C

2024 BMW X1

3 recalls · 30 complaints

F

2023 BMW X1

6 recalls · 70 complaints

C

2022 BMW X1

2 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2021 BMW X1

1 recalls · 7 complaints

A

2020 BMW X1

1 recalls · 13 complaints

C

2019 BMW X1

3 recalls · 11 complaints

D

2018 BMW X1

4 recalls · 59 complaints

B

2017 BMW X1

2 recalls · 155 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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