The Lemon Index2017 BMW X1.
The 2017 BMW X1 is better than average by owner complaints: 23 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 71, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 25 to 26 mpg combined. The best BMW X1 year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 164 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW X1 year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 58K miles on the car (20 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 2
- body structure 2019
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.
- seat belts 2016
The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 189 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Creaking noises when driving on rough road
- "thermostat faults (b-engines)
- ?audio volume not restored after msa stop, entry head unit
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X1 SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| BMW X1 SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Trim piece recall since 4/19/2019. No remedy at this time.
2017 BMW X1 owner · NHTSA complaint 11255763
More owner reports
The rear trunk of the car starts closing by itself. I injured my hand due to such sudden closure. This problem is all over the internet with thousands of customers hitting it and BMW is not acknowledging or fixing the issue.
NHTSA complaint 11355481
The car was on and in drive, but fully stopped at a stoplight on a city street. The rear door opened without any driver input. The doors were locked.
NHTSA complaint 11109769
Quick answers
Is the 2017 BMW X1 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 71; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW X1 year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2017 BMW X1 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (78%), seat belts (13%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 BMW X1 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 BMW X1 get?
25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2017 BMW X1 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,900 and 58,800 miles. The middle report was at 12,700 miles, from 20 complaints.
Does the 2017 BMW X1 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 BMW X1 cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 BMW X1 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What BMW X1 year is better than the 2017?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2017 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works