Representative model. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 BMW X1 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 163
Latest campaign: May 9, 2019

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Structure	1	May 9, 2019	19V349000
Air bags	1	Jan 26, 2017	17V062000
Seat belts	1	Oct 17, 2016	16V747000
Steering	1	Dec 30, 2015	15V887000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

May 9, 2019Latest campaign


May 9, 201919V349000	Structure: body roof and pillars In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V349000 What's wrong 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. Filed under X1 Campaign NHTSA 19V349000 · May 9, 2019
Jan 26, 201717V062000	Air bags: frontal passenger side In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V062000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 X1 xDrive28i and X1 sDrive28i vehicles. The affected vehicles have an instrument panel that may not allow the front passenger air bag to deploy properly in the event of a crash. Risk In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X1 Sav Campaign NHTSA 17V062000 · Jan 26, 2017
Oct 17, 201616V747000	Seat belts: front retractor 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 16V747000 What's wrong 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. Filed under X1 Campaign NHTSA 16V747000 · Oct 17, 2016
Dec 30, 201515V887000	Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion) A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V887000 What's wrong 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. Filed under X1 Campaign NHTSA 15V887000 · Dec 30, 2015

Merged from NHTSA model names: X1, X1 Sav. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2016 BMW X1? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component163

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

163Complaints filed

2Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

5Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Unknown or other	64	39	0	0	4
Power train	34	21	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	18	11	0	0	0
Structure	17	10	0	0	0
Electrical system	14	9	0	2	0
Engine	9	6	0	0	0
Service brakes	8	5	0	0	0
Air bags	5	3	2	0	1
Suspension	4	2	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	4	2	0	0	0
Steering	4	2	1	0	0
Seat belts	3	2	2	0	1
Fuel/propulsion system	2	1	0	0	0
Visibility	2	1	0	0	0
Tires	1	1	0	0	0

5 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names X1, X1 Sav.

Latest reports

Unknown or other
“Known HVAC-produced moisture drainage issue that cause water to get trapped inside the system and cabin air filter housing, causing significant mold or mildew to grow on the filter itself and spread spores through cabin…”
Filed 01/05/2026 · ODI 11708977
Engine
“- Roof and pillars I have been having for almost a year when trying to open and slide on the track. It is harsh and noisy. - Engine oil filter housing and coolant leak. This issue is critical.”
Filed 06/17/2025 · ODI 11667511
Electrical system
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale.”
Filed 06/09/2025 · ODI 11665898

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2016 BMW X1 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 BMW X1 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW X1. The most recent, 19V349000 (reported May 9, 2019), concerns structure. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 BMW X1?

Unknown or other is the most-reported component, named in 64 complaints out of 163 filed with NHTSA (39%). Across all complaints, owners reported 2 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 BMW X1?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

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