Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 72/100 (GOOD)

2019 BMW X1 Reliability Report

The 2019 BMW X1 has a good reliability standing, but its emergency call system can fail and leave an error warning on the dash.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

5.6per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$915

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,650–$2,750

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact75/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity77/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

A middle-ranked X1 year with a good standing, held back mainly by emergency call system faults and three recalls covering steering, structure and exterior lighting.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
STRUCTURE (2)
SUSPENSION (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2019 is year 4 of the Second generation (F48).

Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
2nd generation X1 (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2016: Second generation (F48) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2019: This Model Year

2019 is year 4 of the Second generation (F48).

Should You Buy the 2019 BMW X1?

Good is the standing for this model year, and it is above average among 2019 SUVs. Within the X1 lineup it sits in the middle of nine scored years. Federal crash testing gave 5 of 5 stars. Yearly upkeep runs a bit above the class figure, $915 against $859. The 2018 rates worse and drew 56 complaints, while the 2020 rates about the same.

The emergency call (SOS) system is the main problem. Owners report an error warning on the instrument panel that comes and goes for weeks or months. The car may not be able to call for help after a crash. One dealer blamed water leaking from the shark fin antenna onto the telematics unit under the headliner, which makes repair difficult and costly. One owner reported a highway shutdown at 17000 miles with no restart. Federal records list 3 recalls, covering steering, structure and exterior lighting. Two owners waited on recall parts that dealers did not have.

Ask the seller for proof that every recall repair was finished. Check that the SOS warning stays off on a test drive.

Compared to the 2020 BMW X1, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2018 BMW X1 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Low major repair risk (8%)
+Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (4 complaints)
−STRUCTURE: No failures are reported here (2 complaints)

Compare 2019 BMW X1 With

2019 Cadillac XT4

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reliability: 70/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

3 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
STRUCTURE (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2019 BMW X1. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.6

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 21.2

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2019 BMW X1 Recall Details

3 recalls have been issued for the 2019 BMW X1. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

19V6010002019-08-14

STEERING

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.

19V3490002019-05-09

STRUCTURE

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.

19V0740002019-01-30

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2019 BMW X1? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 BMW X1, and 3 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2019 BMW X1 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 15.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

BMW X1Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$915

vs $859 avg for luxury compact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.7

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

$915

Category Avg

$859

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

25–26 MPG

Running cost: $3,550–$3,650/yr

Fuel + repair

22–23 city / 31–32 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
X1 sDrive28i 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	23	32	26	$2,650
X1 xDrive28i 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	22	31	25	$2,750

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 BMW X1.

Start the car and watch the instrument panel for an Emergency Call or SOS error message.
Ask for service records showing any telematics control unit, antenna, or battery work on the emergency call system.
Check around the shark fin antenna and the headliner below it for signs of water leaks.
Take an extended highway drive and watch for flickering dashboard lights or sudden stalling.
Run the VIN through a recall lookup and get dealer proof that every open recall has been repaired.

2019 BMW X1 Common Problems by Component

10 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)STRUCTURE (2)SUSPENSION (1)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

The emergency call (SOS) system fails and posts an error warning on the instrument panel, sometimes on and off for weeks or months. When it fails, the car may not be able to call for help after a crash. In one case, dealer service blamed water leaking from the shark fin antenna onto the telematics control unit. That unit sits under the headliner, so diagnosis and replacement are difficult and costly. Another report describes a sudden shutdown on the highway at 17000 miles, with dashboard lights blinking and no restart. That is a serious loss-of-power risk in traffic.

4 complaints total

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

No failures are reported here. Both complaints are about waiting for a recall repair. Owners received notice for campaign 19V349000, but dealers said the parts were not available and could not give an arrival date. The manufacturer could not give a date either. Owners say the wait for the remedy went on far too long. This category is about parts shortages and slow dealer service, not breakdowns on the road.

2 complaints total

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

2025-09-05

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 “immediate attention.” In addition, BMW engine mounts in the same model year vehicle have failed in less than 6 years of operation which could present a significant operational hazard. This issue was identified at the same time as the thermostat issue referenced previously. A similar dealer recommendation of “immediate attention,” suggests the severity of the issue. This vehicle has been properly serviced at BMW Honolulu since it was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle from BMW Honolulu on October 22, 2022.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

2024-11-04

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 determined that the water pump had failed. The dealer confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The water pump was replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 39,673.

VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

2023-03-04

The moonroof spontaneously exploded while traveling on interstate highway at 65 mph. I was in the open and no vehicles were near me. I was showered in glass but uninjured because I was wearing a brimmed hat. I could have but did not lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning or other indicator of the problem. The dealership inspected and replaced at no cost to us. No police or insurance involvement.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaintSafety-related

2021-05-28Crash reported3 injuries

The car is equipped with Driving Assistant. BMW Active Driving Assistant is a collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies. Active Driving Assistant includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. BMW Active Driving Assistant systems help a driver to avoid a collision. The package includes advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that are increasingly common as standard equipment for mainstream and luxury brands alike. Forward-collision warning monitors for obstacles ahead, and with Active Driving Assistant the technology can also identify pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. If the driver fails to brake, the automatic emergency braking system engages to stop or slow the BMW before impact. Be sure to understand that with Active Driving Assistant, the automatic braking works only at lower city speeds. On faster-flowing highways and freeways, the driver must respond to potential collision situations. ( https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-is-bmw-active-driving-assistant ). The car was involved in a rear end collision striking the vehicle in front of it on May 28, 2021 at approx. 11:36 AM (picture attached). The car was on York Road near [XXX] being driven in heavy lunch-hour traffic when the accident occurred. My wife, [XXX], was driving the vehicle. She is named on my auto insurance policy. She was taken to the hospital via ambulance to Belvedere/Sanai Hospital at 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. She sustained a broken sternum, major bruising and lacerations on her arms and legs. The vehicle was towed to a holding yard (Linhard's Towing, 11013 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030) by the police due to the air bags deploying. The steering wheel, drivers lower leg and passenger side curtain air bags deployed. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Best & Worst BMW X1 Years

Best BMW X1 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

BMW X1 Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

BMW X1 reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	69/100	Good
2019	72/100	Good
2020	74/100	Good
2021	75/100	Good
2022	72/100	Good
2023	64/100	Good
2024	68/100	Good
2025	73/100	Good
2026	74/100	Good

BMW X1 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	74/100	+1	Good	2	0
2025	73/100	+5	Good	3	9
2024	68/100	+4	Good	2	26
2023	64/100	-8	Good	5	68
2022	72/100	-3	Good	2	1
2021	75/100	+1	Good	1	6
2020	74/100	+2	Good	1	12
2019(selected)	72/100	+3	Good	3	10
2018	69/100	—	Good	4	56

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 BMW X1 reliable?

Yes, it has a good reliability standing and ranks above average among 2019 SUVs. Owners filed 10 complaints, and it earned 5 of 5 federal crash-test stars. Within the X1 lineup it sits in the middle of nine scored years, so it is solid but not the top pick.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW X1?

Electrical complaints lead, mostly the emergency call (SOS) system failing and showing an error warning on the instrument panel. Structure is the second category, but those two complaints are about waiting for recall parts, not about breakdowns. Owners did not report failures in that group.

Does the 2019 BMW X1 have emergency call system problems?

Yes, several owners report it. The SOS system fails and posts an error warning, sometimes on and off for weeks or months. The car may not be able to call for help after a crash. One dealer traced it to water from the shark fin antenna reaching the telematics unit.

What recalls does the 2019 BMW X1 have?

Federal recall records list 3 recalls for this year, in steering, structure and exterior lighting. Two owners complained about waiting for a recall repair because dealers lacked parts and gave no arrival date. Ask the seller for proof that all recall work was completed.

Is the 2019 BMW X1 better than the 2018 or 2020?

It beats the 2018, which rates worse and drew 56 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2020 rates about the same, with 12 complaints and 1 recall. Since the 2020 has fewer recalls, it is worth comparing against the 2019 when shopping.

Don’t buy a 2019 BMW X1 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2019 BMW X1

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 BMW X1 does best on how many systems draw complaints (77/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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