The Lemon Index
2018
2020Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,815 in the U.S. in 2019 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Acura RDX 2742019 BMW X3 852019 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC 29
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V601000 (steering), 19V349000 (body structure) and 19V074000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
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 4 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? Look up any code →
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 35.3M views · 2016–2022 BMW X1
Prices people quote
- Price when new$35,00011 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical542K views
BMW X1 F48 2016 - 2022 Key Fob Battery Replacement | DIYTBF simple · 181K views · 4 videos - Oil changes & service417K views
2017 BMW X1 service resetKris Tran · 124K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS360K views
BMW X1 f48 F49 ''secure vehicle with parking brake'' Problem FIXM.Ovidiu · 195K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring243K views
Oil service light reset * HOW TO * 2016-2018 BMW X1 (F48) #BMW #bmwDIYThe Driver Mod · 243K views
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter165K views
BMW X1 F48 2016 AISIN 8 speed gearbox Transmission ServiceKen KanFix · 165K views - Timing chain & engine81K views
BMW X1 Engine Air Filter Replacement Complete guide! 2015-2022 F48Friendly Mechanic · 81K views - Oil leaks & gaskets40K views
How to fix leaking oil cooler housing BMW X1 2016-2022 B48 Engine #coolantleak #oilcoolerhousingAll About Cars - Basics · 40K views
Before you buy, watch
2019 BMW X1: Is the German SUV WORTH IT? Price, PROBLEMS, fuel economy, FULL REVIEW! TipsOpinião Sincera · 159K views
2018 BMW X1 Reliability And Is It Worth It?ExoticCar PlayPlace · 119K views
2018 BMW X1 Problems and Reliability - Should you buy?car PROblems · 47K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 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 3
- Steering · recall issued 2019
The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break.
- Body structure · recall issued 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.
- Lights · recall issued 2019
Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
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 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW X1 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,050–$3,200 (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.
Every BMW X1 year. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/bmw-x1/?y=2019" 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-x1/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 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 2019 BMW X1 reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,815 were sold in the U.S. in 2019 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2019 BMW X1 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (50%), automatic emergency braking (50%) and electrical (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 BMW X1 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 BMW X1 get?
25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 BMW X1 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2019 BMW X1 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 BMW X1 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,050 to $3,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 BMW X1 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What BMW X1 year is better than the 2019?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2013 drew the fewest.
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