Second generation
2016 BMW X1
The most reported problem on the 2016 BMW X1 is infotainment, with 13 complaints.
- 159owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 1involved a crash
- 40,000median miles at failure
Newest report Jan 5, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2016 BMW X1 has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2016 BMW X1 reliable?
The 2016 BMW X1 has 159 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 10 X1 model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 14 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs close to the 2017 (16). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, infotainment, covers 13 of the 159 complaints (8%), and brake wear is next with 8 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Too few of the infotainment reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 5 of the 159 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 1 report mentions a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 4 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 3 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2023 at 38 and have dropped every year since, to 9 in 2025. So far in 2026, 1 more has come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: infotainment, screen or backup camera fails, 13 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
159 complaints is 1.6 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 1.6 times fewer than the median 2016 SUV. Among the 2 X1 model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 BMW X1
BMW filed 219 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 BMW X1. 19 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 18 bulletins · 13 complaints
Customer states the Central Information Display is flickering and the picture is shifting.
CCM DISPLAYED "INCREASED BATTERY DRAIN" CAUSED BY CONTROLLER: A yellow CCM (Check Control Message) ID 415 is displayed- "Increased battery drain! // Battery. Electrostatic discharge at standstill / start engine.
16 more on this problem
CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES FOR BRAKE SUSPENSION AND AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: Multiple check control messages (CCM) can display for brake suspension and air bag system malfunction. The customer may also complain about any of the following: Engine can no longer be switched off Drive position (D) cannot be engaged on the gear selector ...
MIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. After engine start the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and Check Control message (ID 29) "Engine fault! Power loss" are displayed in the instrument cluster.
DIAGNOSTIC HINT: CATALYTIC CONVERTER INSPECTION AFTER LOSS OF CRANKSHAFT SIGNAL. In certain situations when the crankshaft position signal is lost while driving the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and an engine malfunction check control message (CCM #29) may be displayed. The engine may run roughly or with reduced power.
BLACK SPOT IN THE CENTRAL INFORMATION. This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B62 11 18 dated January 2019. Whats New: â?¢ Warranty section - Programming information added.
NAVIGATION PRO (NBT EVO) MAP UPDATE NOT POSSIBLE, NAVIGATION DOES NOT START: Navigation system will not start at all or the: ÒNavigation system startsÓ message is permanently displayed; or
Bluetooth Connection Failures: There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones: Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge.
ERRONEOUS SERVICE INCLUSIVE CBS DISPLAY. After pre-delivery check or after instrument cluster exchange, BMW Service Inclusive is displayed although the vehicle does not feature the optional Service Inclusive coverage. Instrument Cluster display error
?Instrument Cluster Failure at Low Ambient Temperature. Sporadically, at low temperatures, the instrument cluster (KOMBI) is not operating (display remains black). KOMBI software.
?SeriesOptionDescription F22, F23, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F36, F25, F26, F48, 05AR Traffic Jam AssistantX. Sporadically, at low temperatures, the instrument cluster (KOMBI) is not operating (display remains black). KOMBI software.
POWER-ASSISTED STEERING INTERMITTENTLY NOT AVAILABLE AT ENGINE START-UP This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014. The power assisted steering is unavailable at start up/drive readiness. No communication with the Electric Power Steering (EPS).
Plus 6 older ones not listed here.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 8 complaints
DSC ""WHEEL SPEED SENSOR"" FAULT CODES AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP- DIAGNOSTIC. 1. DSC's fault codes stored from two different wheel speed sensors (both front or both rear): 4809B0 - wheel speed sensor - front left - drive off recognition faulty and 4809CD ...
Complaints filed by year
38 complaints came in 2023. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 BMW X1
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
BMW 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: BMW 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.
All 3 recalls on the 2016 BMW X1, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 BMW X1?
Infotainment, with 13 of the 159 complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 BMW X1 problems start?
Of the 47 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 23,000 miles and half by about 40,000.
Is the 2016 BMW X1 better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has about as many complaints as the 2017: 14 a year against 16.
How many 2016 BMW X1 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
5 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for infotainment on the 2016 BMW X1?
No recall on file for the 2016 BMW X1 is on the same system as infotainment. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.