2016 BMW X1 · recalls

2016 BMW X1 recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls that include the 2016 BMW X1. The newest, 19V-349, was filed May 9, 2019 for the structure.

3recalls
3systems
159owner complaints

Newest recall or investigation Sep 17, 2021 · checked Sep 22, 2026

Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Every recall, newest first

19V-349May 9, 2019NHTSA 19V349000

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars

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: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.

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.

17 of the 159 owner complaints on this car cite the structure, 15 of them the same part of it (Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars).

What owners wrote about roof and pillars

“Steering Geer Box Structure body Roof and Pillars Seat belt retractors Air bags frontal”
Filed Apr 17, 2024

“Today the moonroof lining just fell off. It is hanging from both sides but one of the sides has a thin metal strip bunched up. I am unable to close the moonroof lining and because it hangs it blocks my vision to the back rear from the view mirror. Please keep in mind my BMW has low miles so how is this possible? I am trying to upload a picture but unable on the form.”
Filed Aug 7, 2023

A complaint on the same system is not proof of the recalled defect.

16V-747Oct 17, 2016NHTSA 16V747000

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

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: In 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.

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.

2 of the 159 owner complaints on this car cite the seat belts.

15V-887Dec 30, 2015NHTSA 15V887000

Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

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: A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

4 of the 159 owner complaints on this car cite the steering system.

Complaints with no recall behind them

The systems owners of the 2016 BMW X1 complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.

Transmission and drivetrain: 33 complaints, no recall
Windshield and wipers: 18 complaints, no recall
Electrical: 13 complaints, no recall
Engine: 8 complaints, no recall
Brakes: 8 complaints, no recall

NHTSA investigations

EA21-002opened Sep 17, 2021

Airbags · model years 2016 to 2018

Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.

NHTSA summary

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 substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been n