2019 BMW X1 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 X1.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V601000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles. 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.
Consequence: A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
What could happen: If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 X1.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V074000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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."
What could happen: 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, 2019. Owners may co…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 X1.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V349000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. 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."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (5), Body / structure (3), Engine (3), Unknown Or Other (2), Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/12/2026 · Steering
While releasing the manual telescope lever on my 2019 BMW X1 (under 75k miles) to adjust the steering wheel, the steering column completely bypassed its factory structural travel stop and jammed rock-solid in the farthest extended position and will not budge. The steering wheel is now physically wedged against my torso, making it impossible to maintain the…
10/07/2026 · Body / structure
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2019 BMW X1 northbound on the [XXX] in Manhattan at a steady highway speed when the powered rear liftgate unexpectedly opened approximately halfway without any intentional activation. The key fob was stationary in the center cupholder. I did not activate any liftgate controls. I became aware of the opening…
06/06/2026 · Transmission / drivetrain
My car began shaking at low speeds when turning. Brought it to a mechanic to investigate and they performed a recommended manufacturer alteration on the car related to rear differential vent. That did not fix the issue and mechanic said a full rear differential replacement was required and it was a safety issue. If the rear differential failed while driving…
09/09/2025 · Suspension
A recall was issued for similar vehicles (X1) but ended with the 2018 model year (Recall 24V-608). This issue continues to be present in the 2019 model year. The thermostats in subsequent year models continue to leak, presenting a hazard. An engine warning lamp triggered an inspection at BMW Honolulu which identified the thermostat leak issue requiring “imm…
03/12/2025 · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X1. The contact stated that the emergency call error light illuminated the instrument panel. In December of 2024, the contact received notification regarding an extended warranty coverage for the battery to be replaced. The contact was unable to immediately take the vehicle to the dealer due to other reasons. Once the contact was…
01/22/2025 · Electrical system
SOS Malfunction For the past two years, I have received a notice on my dashboard that there is a problem with the Emergency Call System. However, the message appears intermittently for weeks or months at a time.211/400
11/08/2024 · Engine
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X1. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change and was informed that the vehicle was leaking coolant. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the contact became aware that there was coolant on the ground underneath the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer d…
01/14/2024 · Electrical system
Emergency call (SOS) system is malfunctioning. This prevents the vehicle from communicating if an accident happens. BMW service stated the problem could be caused by water leaking on to the telematics control unit from the shark fin antenna, which would require replacing the unit. The TCU is located under the head liner beneath the shark fin. The head liner…