The Lemon Index
2014
2016Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,420 in the U.S. in 2015 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 35 complaints in its first 3 years.
35 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Acura RDX 832015 BMW X3 902015 Porsche Macan 20
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V733000 (engine), 24V608000 (engine) and 20V017000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and BMW's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 35 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every BMW X1 year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the BMW X1 (2013–2017) name most: P2402 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit High. Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 28K miles (3K to 45K km) on the car (11 of all 35 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Bmw refuses to let me out of my lease but do not want to fix the defect because the parts are out of stock for several months. I have a small child and am afraid for our safety.
2015 BMW X1 owner · NHTSA complaint 10876030
More owner reports
Takata recall have been waiting since feb 2016 for this issue to be resolved. Bmw has no idea when it will be resolved.
NHTSA complaint 10937033
Takata recall - have asked about the replacement of the driver airbag as a recall item for almost one year with no resolution. Dealership states they get 20 replacement bags per month and I am on a waiting list. Very dangerous!
NHTSA complaint 11044966
Fixes owners look up most.
From 195 YouTube videos · 10.9M views · 2013–2015 BMW X1
Prices people quote
- Price when new$31,5456 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service1.1M views
BMW X1 E84 service reminder resetmr-fix · 651K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring463K views
HOW TO: Reset "SERVICE" and "OIL" lights on 2014 BMW X1HYENA art magazine · 299K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets103K views
How to Replace Valve Cover Gasket on a BMW N20 4 Cylinder (BMW X1 2011-2015 DIY E84)Igor Kadulenkov · 71K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors65K views
BMW X1 E84 EGR valve replacementTunes Mac · 19K views · 5 videos
Show 3 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical43K views
ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT BMW X1 E84Electrical Car Repair LIVE · 21K views · 4 videos - Timing chain & engine38K views
How to Install a Stealth EcoHitch® Trailer Hitch on a 2013 - 2015 BMW X1: Step-by-Step GuideTorklift Central · 29K views · 2 videos - Starter, alternator & belts30K views
BMW X1 SERPENTINE BELT REPLACEMENT DIAGRAM, BMW E84Electrical Car Repair LIVE · 30K views
Before you buy, watch
BMW X1 (E84) Problems | Weaknesses of the Used E84MasterCarsPro · 107K views
2013 BMW X1 Review - Should You Buy One?Masry Motors · 93K views
Used BMW X1 E84 Reliability | Most Common Problems Faults and IssuesAutoProblems · 33K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2015 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 5
- Engine · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Engine · recall issued 2024
An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the driver frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring af…
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X1 Sdrive28I SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| BMW X1 Xdrive28I SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,050–$3,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every BMW X1 year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 BMW X1 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/bmw-x1/?y=2015" title="BMW X1 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/bmw-x1/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 BMW X1 reliability)</p>
Scores are per model year, so a year with several engines shows the same score next to each one. An empty complaints bar means too few complaints to score that year; a gray dot means not enough YouTube videos. Sources: Wikipedia: BMW B48 · Wikipedia: BMW N20 · Wikipedia: BMW N55 · EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Quick answers
Is the 2015 BMW X1 reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,420 were sold in the U.S. in 2015 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2015 BMW X1 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (80%), engine (9%) and speed control (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW X1 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 BMW X1 get?
21 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2015 BMW X1 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2015 BMW X1 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,050 to $3,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 BMW X1 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW X1 year is better than the 2015?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works