2020 Bmw X1

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2020 Bmw X1 has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: on sept 8, 2021, on i-5, north of marysville, wa, a truck threw a rock through the lower radiator of our x1. we were very lucky that we stopped and found the coolant running out. otherwise the engine might have seized at highway speed , causing an accident. we lost all coolant and car was hauled . ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 2 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

3 complaints

17%

• On Sept 8, 2021, on I-5, North of Marysville, WA, a truck threw a rock through the lower radiator of our X1. We were very lucky that we stopped and found the coolant running out. Otherwise the engine might have seized at highway speed , causing an accident. We lost all coolant and car was hauled
• On Sept 8, 2021, on I-5, North of Marysville, WA, a truck threw a rock through the lower radiator of our X1. We lost all coolant and car was hauled to BMW, Seattle on 9/9/21. On 9/10 service rep Josh Logan advised: "We confirmed that it does not come with a guard, but when you order a new part, th
• Wastegate actuator turbo failure. Causes sudden loss of power to engine. Turbo function impacted. Drivetrain malfunction warning on dashboard. No prior warning sent. Problem with wastegate has been confirmed by Independent Service Center. Found similar issue with BMW E-Series Model 530e xdri

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“On Sept 8, 2021, on I-5, North of Marysville, WA, a truck threw a rock through the lower radiator of our X1. We were very lucky that we stopped and found the coolant running out. Otherwise the engine might have seized at highway speed , causing an accident. We lost all coolant and car was hauled ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

17%

• it all started with the Battery and Powertrain and lound Loud niose from under my vehicle and my rear tail light code default. service forgetting to put the clamps back on i took the vehicle back from service and drove over 200 miles when the code for the above mention malfuntion appeared again they
• I had a series of concerning incidents with my car. The trunk door was getting stuck halfway, but I was able to close it after turning on the engine. I also encountered a malfunction error on the backup camera, a Drive Train warning sign, and the car alarm going off by itself. The most alarming issu
• Wastegate actuator turbo failure. Causes sudden loss of power to engine. Turbo function impacted. Drivetrain malfunction warning on dashboard. No prior warning sent. Problem with wastegate has been confirmed by Independent Service Center. Found similar issue with BMW E-Series Model 530e xdri

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“it all started with the Battery and Powertrain and lound Loud niose from under my vehicle and my rear tail light code default. service forgetting to put the clamps back on i took the vehicle back from service and drove over 200 miles when the code for the above mention malfuntion appeared again they”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

2 complaints

11%

• THE TRUNK COVER HAS PIECES OF EITHER PLEXI OR FIBER GLASS THAT GETS INTO YOUR SKIN. I HAVE GOTTEN TINY SHARDS OF THE GLASS IN MY SKIN AND IT BECOME UNIMAGINABLY PAINFUL AND IT IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE SKIN.
• The vehicle’s sunroof exploded spontaneously. This occured on an elevated expressway with no access above the vehicle. There was no physical impact to the vehicle. There were no visible warning signs. The sunroof shattered into small shards.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE TRUNK COVER HAS PIECES OF EITHER PLEXI OR FIBER GLASS THAT GETS INTO YOUR SKIN. I HAVE GOTTEN TINY SHARDS OF THE GLASS IN MY SKIN AND IT BECOME UNIMAGINABLY PAINFUL AND IT IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE SKIN.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

2 complaints

11%

• I was in a front end crash at approximately 30 to 35 miles per hour and airbags did not deploy nor did the seatbelt lock. My chest hit the steering wheel and I was transported by EMS to hospital. Nothing was broken. I had a bruise upper right chest but my pain is in my sternum which is not visibly b
• I got my BMW X1 in December of 2020 and currently has 21,000 miles. I've notice unusual wear and tear on the driver side seatbelt so I brought it into the dealer but all they said was that it needs to be replaced. I don't think this is a normal wear and tear because as I've said, I only drove this v

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I was in a front end crash at approximately 30 to 35 miles per hour and airbags did not deploy nor did the seatbelt lock. My chest hit the steering wheel and I was transported by EMS to hospital. Nothing was broken. I had a bruise upper right chest but my pain is in my sternum which is not visibly b”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints

11%

• On 7/1/22, my Vehicle Alert came on advising that the front brake pads need replacement and to schedule an appointment within 1,000 miles. I called the same day to schedule an appointment with my local dealer. However, the next available date was on 7/13/22. I specifically requested an earlier date,
• it all started with the Battery and Powertrain and lound Loud niose from under my vehicle and my rear tail light code default. service forgetting to put the clamps back on i took the vehicle back from service and drove over 200 miles when the code for the above mention malfuntion appeared again they

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“On 7/1/22, my Vehicle Alert came on advising that the front brake pads need replacement and to schedule an appointment within 1,000 miles. I called the same day to schedule an appointment with my local dealer. However, the next available date was on 7/13/22. I specifically requested an earlier date,”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: On Sept 8, 2021, on I-5, North of Marysville, WA, a truck threw a rock through the lower radiator of our X1. We were very lucky that we stopped and found the coolant running out. Otherwise the engine might have seized at highway speed , causing an accident. We lost all coolant and car was hauled
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: it all started with the Battery and Powertrain and lound Loud niose from under my vehicle and my rear tail light code default. service forgetting to put the clamps back on i took the vehicle back from service and drove over 200 miles when the code for the above mention malfuntion appeared again they
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE TRUNK COVER HAS PIECES OF EITHER PLEXI OR FIBER GLASS THAT GETS INTO YOUR SKIN. I HAVE GOTTEN TINY SHARDS OF THE GLASS IN MY SKIN AND IT BECOME UNIMAGINABLY PAINFUL AND IT IS VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE SKIN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: I was in a front end crash at approximately 30 to 35 miles per hour and airbags did not deploy nor did the seatbelt lock. My chest hit the steering wheel and I was transported by EMS to hospital. Nothing was broken. I had a bruise upper right chest but my pain is in my sternum which is not visibly b
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)