2016 BMW X1: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 BMW X1: 3 recalls, 159 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #15V887000 · 2015 · 2 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering gearbox May have been manufactured with incorrect parts.
Why it matters: A gearbox malfunction May cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #16V747000 · 2016 · 15,455 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #19V349000 · 2019 · 106,182 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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,…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (64): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (33): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (17), warning light on (6).
- Visibility/Wiper (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Body & structure (17): the most common themes are door / lock issues (2).
The 2016 BMW X1 has 159 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 15 X1 model years for complaints (3.5× the average X1 year). Complaints peaked in 2023 (38 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 42,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (52 complaints, 2 recalls), 2017 (156 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 BMW X1.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 BMW X1 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2016 BMW X1. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 BMW X1 problems?
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (64), transmission & drivetrain (33), visibility/wiper (18).
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW X1 get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 BMW X1 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.