CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2014 BMW X1 SAV

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

59

Complaints

5

Crashes

3

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 BMW X1 SAV have filed 59 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2013 and February 2021. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 37 of them (63%). The typical failure was reported at 35,000 miles, the median across the 26 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (4)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

17V087000 · February 9, 2017

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i vehicles. The affected vehicles may have battery positive (B+) cables that develop high resistance in the connections to the fuse box.
The risk
The high resistance may result in loss of the cable's electrical connection, possibly causing an engine stall and preventing the vehicle from restarting, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the B+ cable connector with one that is silver coated and better secure it to the fuse box, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 1,160 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V071000 · February 5, 2016

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 840,000 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

14V627000 · October 7, 2014

The defect
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
The risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 8,988 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

13V454000 · September 26, 2013

The defect
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
The risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 76,191 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Loss of power assist braking

PE13030

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened September 6, 2013 · closed October 25, 2013 · led to recall 13V454000

the hydraulic brakes

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 59.

AIR BAGS 37 63%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 14%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 12%
STRUCTURE 6 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 5%
ENGINE 2 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 3%
SEAT BELTS 2 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 2%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 2%
STEERING 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 26.

2013 2017 2021
2013 to 2021

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 12,000 miles

TAKATA RECALL. I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2014 BMW X1 IN THE WINTER OF 2015, JUST A YEAR AFTER LEASING THIS VEHICLE. A CAR HIT ME SO HARD FROM BEHIND, THAT I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, TOTALING MY CAR COMPLETELY. I WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS HAS CAUSED ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN MEDICAL BILL THAT MY HEALTH INSURANCE DID NOT COVER. IF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF, I MAY NOT HAVE HIT MY HEAD AND WOULD HAVE SAVED ME FROM GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. THIS RECALL COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHERS WITH A MORE SEVERE ACCIDENT POSSIBLE DEATH. THEREFORE BMW SHOULD NOT ONLY REPLACE THE DEFECTED AIRBAGS BUT ALSO COMPENSATE EVERYONE WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES DRIVING THIS MACHINE THAT

NHTSA complaint 11019098, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 injured · crash · 14,500 miles

DRIVING FROM A PARKING SLOT AT CARL'S JR., MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH A LOUD ENGINE ROAR, TO APPROXIMATELY 80-90 MPH, JUMPED OVER A CURB OVER AN ISLAND, RUN THROUGH THREE PARKING SLOTS, HIT ANOTHER CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE-WHICH FINALLY STOPPED MY CAR- AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 50-60 FEET FROM MY PARKED POSITION. I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKES FOR THE WHOLE 5-6 SECONDS UNTIL MY CAR HIT THE PALM TREE. THE BRAKE JUST DID NOT WORK. MISTAKENLY STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR, IS OUT OF THE QUESTION--WITH ALL THE JARRING AND SWAYING--ANY IDIOT WILL STEP ON THE BRAKE, WHICH I DID. MY WIFE IS HOSPITALIZED WITH A FRACTURED SPINE AND I SUFFER RECURRENT HEADACHES. BMW AND ALLSTATE PROMISED TO

NHTSA complaint 10659615, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash

2014 BMW X-1. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER ASSIST BRAKE FAILURE ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE STOP/START SYSTEM ON HER VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, THE CONSUMER REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD A SHORT DISTANCE. HOWEVER, ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE CONSUMER STOPPED. THE CONSUMER RELIED ON THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT PROMPTLY RESTART WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES. CONSEQUENTLY, SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND ULTIMATELY REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA complaint 10694531. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

fire · 38,000 miles

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON PAPER MILL ROAD IN NEWARK, DELAWARE AND HEARD A "KERTHUNK" FROM THE ENGINE. HE PULLED OVER TO THE HARD SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, SAW HE HAD NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING, AND THEN SAW OIL GUSHING ONTO THE ROAD FROM THE MOTOR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, AS HE WAS SITTING IN THE STATIONARY CAR, HE SAW THE HOOD OF THE CAR STARTING TO BUBBLE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE -- THAT PROCESS TOOK AROUND 15 MINUTES. THE DELAWARE STATE PATROL (OFFICER FERGUSON) ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE BMW DEALER FOR A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT 9 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. BMW

NHTSA complaint 11030409, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

fire · 98,000 miles

MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 12/05/2020. THERE WERE NO KNOWN RECALLS. TOTAL LOSS.... STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SOUTHBOUND I-95 IN BREVARD COUNTY, FL. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INDICATED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY!!

NHTSA complaint 11396790. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 67,075 miles

VEHICLE IGNITION TURNED OVER AND BEFORE 30 SECONDS I NOTICED SMOKE IN MY PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE. THE VALET LIGHTING WAS NOT INVOLVED BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS THE TOUCH SENSOR USED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT AND I WAS ABLE TO SMOTHER THE FIRE WITH A WET TOWEL AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE IGNITION ETC. MELTED PLASTIC AND RUBBER WAS NOTED.

NHTSA complaint 11282120. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
WINDOW REGULATOR WENT BAD AND STARTED HEARING SOUND JUST LIKE WINDOW CRACK.

NHTSA complaint 11231053. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

114,580 miles

BMW X1 2014 HAVING A SAFETY ISSUE WITH PASSENGER REAR DOOR LATCH/LOCK, DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH, TRUNK WILL NOT LATCH AND NOW PASSENGER DOOR LATCH, DOOR WONT CLOSE. DRIVER NEEDED TO HOLD DOORS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *AS *TR

NHTSA complaint 11222928. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

130,000 miles

MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint 11208514. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

95,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS FLASHED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE CODES THAT NEEDED TO BE CLEARED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THREE ALTERNATORS AND FOUR BATTERIES INSTALLED IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED AN INDEPENDENT EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS NOT THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA complaint 11172163. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW X1 SAV

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2017 8 2
2015 42 2
2013 64 3

Other 2014 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst