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2014 Bmw X1: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

53 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

90,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 53 complaints (45.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues2037.7%
Braking behavior815.1%
Fuel system concerns35.7%
Transmission and shifting23.8%
Engine operation11.9%
Steering behavior11.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
24
Engine
16
Engine And Engine Cooling
15
Unknown Or Other
8
Fuel/Propulsion System
5
Service Brakes
5
Air Bags
4
Power Train
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System24
Engine16
Engine And Engine Cooling15
Unknown Or Other8
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Service Brakes5
Air Bags4
Power Train4

Electrical System: 24; Engine: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling: 15; Unknown Or Other: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Air Bags: 4; Power Train: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
6
100,000 to 149,999
11
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9996
100,000 to 149,99911
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2020
6
2021
7
2022
5
2023
3
2024
11
2025
19
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20206
20217
20225
20233
202411
202519
20262

2020: 6; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 11; 2025: 19; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11324260 · 2020-05-12 (May 12, 2020)

I HAVE BEEN ALERTED BY THE DEALER (BMW) THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON THE VEHICLE IS COMING LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES, IS SIX (6) YEARS OLD AND AVERAGES >14,000 MILES PER YEAR. IT HAS HAD NO OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES EXCEPT A THERMOSTAT, WHICH WAS REPLACED TWICE AT COST TO THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS INFORMED THAT BMW PROVIDED A WARRANTY OF 7-YEARS/70,000 MILES ON THE TIMING CHAIN, HOWEVER THE CAR IN QUESTION HAS SURPASSED THE MILEAGE CONSTRAINTS. I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH AND HAVE NOTICED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER BMW OWNERS T…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11352867 · 2020-09-02 (September 2, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE FAILURES WITH THE ELECTRONIC PANELS AND GAUGES. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE WINDOW AND DOOR BUTTONS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V087000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 20V017000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO CONTACT BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO LOCAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352867 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11361379 · 2020-09-27 (September 27, 2020)

MY CAR SMELLS LIKE MOLD AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE THE ISSUE TO REMOVE THE SMELL. I AM CONCERNED IT POSES A SERIOUS HEALTH RISK IF MOLD IS GROWING. THERE IS NOT WATER IN THE VEHICLE AS I HAVE CHECKED THE FLOOR BOARDS AND CUSHIONS. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE A/C FILTER AND CHECKED THE WATER DRAINS FOR THE SUN ROOF. ALL SEEM TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11361379 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11372437 · 2020-10-30 (October 30, 2020)

2014 BMW X1 TRANSMISSION MOVES FROM DRIVE TO PARK WHILE IN MOTION. NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AFTER OR BEFORE THE OCCURANCE. WHEN ENGAGING REVERSE OR DRIVE GEARS ON THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK BRING THE CAR TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED IN ANY DIRECTION TO MOVE IT OUT OF HARMS WAY. ONCE THE CAR GOES TO PARK POSITION, I CAN MOVE THE HANDLE TO RE ENGAGE A GEAR. THE CAR MOVES SLIGHTLY THEN TRANSMISSION FREEZES FORCING IT BACK INTO PARK. I WILL TURN THE CAR OFF AND TRY TO ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION REPEATEDLY AND SOMEHOW THING…

Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11372437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11375464 · 2020-11-19 (November 19, 2020)

TOXIC MOLD IN VENTILATION PLUMBING. MAKES ALL OF US SICK IF WE TURN ON AC, HEAT, OR DEFROST. AS A RESULT CAN'T SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD WHEN IT GETS FOGGED UNLESS WE ALL WANT TO GET SICK. MECHANIC IS STATING THERE IS NO SOLUTION FOR THIS. HE HAS CONSULTED BMW DEALERSHIP MECHANICS AND THEY ARE STATING THE SAME INFORMATION. THE ONLY SOLUTION GIVEN WAS TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASH, ALL VENTILATION PLUMBING AND HAND CLEAN IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WILL COME BACK.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11375464 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11382965 · 2020-12-10 (December 10, 2020)

COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE AT 82,000 MILES, MY 2014 BMW X1 WOULD NOT START. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROB AND MY ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE, AS IT WAS MADE WITH A PLASTIC TIMING BELT COVER, WHICH DEGRADES OVER TIME & DESTROYS YOUR ENGINE BETWEEN 70-85K MILES. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH ENDED 2 YEARS AGO, WHICH REQUIRED AN EXTENDED 7YR/70K WARRANTY. THERE IS ALSO NO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR THE TIMING CHAIN AND THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY $3-13,000 EACH. THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE WAS OUT IN SUPERCHARGER BMW ENGINES BETWEEN 2014-2017. I PE…

Owner-reported narrative. 82,399 miles reported. Look up ODI 11382965 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11387872 · 2021-01-13 (January 13, 2021)

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - CODES SET FOR FUEL LEVEL SENSORS AND ENGINE THERMOSTAT AND SENSOR. I WAS DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NEVER RAN VEHICLE OUT OF GAS AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALER. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FUEL LEVEL SENSORS, FUEL PUMP KIT AND THERMOSTAT

Owner-reported narrative. 31,330 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387872 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11388440 · 2021-01-16 (January 16, 2021)

BMW HAS REPORTED AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR A TIMING CHAIN AND OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE THAT SAY THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY THIS HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MANUFACTURERS RECALL CARS, RECENTLY ONE EVEN SAID THAT IT MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL FAILURE. WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MILES ON THE CAR AND IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY OUR DEALER BUT AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT FAILURE ON A HIGHWAY. I AM SORRY, I HAD TO PUT A DATE BELOW IN ORDER TO GO TO NEX…

Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11388440 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V608000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump

Reported: 2024-08-13 (August 13, 2024)

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗