Vehicle structure, brake and steering issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2019 BMW X1 is considered to be a premium Sports Activity Vehicle. Even the automaker claims that the newest lineup is “renowned on every road,” but owners claim the only reason it is known is because of the defects. This model faces a poorly-built structure, defective steering system, noisy seats and a dangerous braking system.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2019
The 2019 BMW X1 comes at a high price, which makes customers believe that the parts are of the utmost quality, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
One NHTSA complaint states, “The contact owns a 2019 BMW X1. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V349000 (Structure). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. [Dealer] was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
So what is this recall that BMW is procrastinating about? More than 100,000 vehicles might have a B-pillar that doesn’t absorb impact the way it should. If an occupant were to face an impact during an accident, there is an increased chance of injury. BMW is supposed to replace the vertical trim pieces of the B-pillar, but that doesn’t seem to be occurring. Instead, customers are left at risk in their high-priced SAV. This isn’t the only structure-related issue worth looking at, however. In fact, there’s another recall that shows the quality of this BMW. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V074000 states that some of the taillights have contaminated hardware that causes the brackets to crack and leave the exterior lighting vulnerable to detachment. So, BMW has created the perfect storm. First, it caused the taillights to literally fall out of the housing. Then, when an accident is caused as a result, there’s a higher chance of injury when an occupant comes in contact with the B-pillar. It might be “renowned on every road,” but not for good reasons.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Structure | |
| Engine | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Visibility/wiper |
When the time comes to stop, it’s critical that the braking system works as it should. After looking at the integrity of the BMW X1 parts, it should come as no surprise that this system is a failure as well.
Here is one Cars.com review illustrating the concerns. “I have had Lexus and Audi and have never had a vehicle this bad. Leased new and had numerous rotor, brake and wheel bearing issues that BMW cannot fix. Also Bluetooth on their entertainment system is garbage and doesn’t work. The customer service is also horrible and unprofessional from corporate.”
BMW hasn’t issued any statements about the service brakes. Instead, it has taken a vow of silence like the monks do. It’s impossible to get any help or direction about the defective brakes, but it’s quickly becoming one of the problems that BMW is “renowned” for on the Internet.
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One would think that the BMW X1 provides a comfortable, relaxing ride. However, recent complaints prove that the seating isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Here is what one Edmunds review states after discussing several other problems. “I am also getting cracking noises from the back seats, since the seats are multi position the mechanism is rattling and service is useless. They will be nice and have a look at it for a day or so but never ever fixed an issue with noise so far. My GF has a Chevy Cruse and that thing is much smoother in terms of noises.”
Even though BMW doesn’t have a whole lot to say, the company did address the noise issues with the seats. Service Bulletin #B522219 acknowledges the noise during forward and back seat adjustment as well as while traveling. BMW describes it as a “loud screeching noise,” and says that lubrication of the flexible drive shafts of the seat adjustment motor is needed to fix the problem. In the meantime, customers are driving around with what sounds like a cat in heat. Is this what BMW hopes to become known for?
Finally, a look at the steering system shows just as many problems. Without a properly running steering system, it becomes very difficult to drive safely.
One Edmunds review says, “First BMW that I’ve owned and will be the last. Bought it new in November of 2018 and 500 miles in it had a major steering issue that took the dealership weeks to figure/fix and no loaners available around holidays so I was stuck driving a Nissan Versa that felt like it would fall apart at 55 mph.”
It turns out that BMW issued yet another recall for this system. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V601000 acknowledges that the steering gear tie rod might not have been put together correctly. Because of this defect, this component can cause excessive wear to the tie end. Then, after stress occurs, the tie rod end could break, which leads to a complete loss of vehicle control and leaves owners at risk for an accident. Let’s just hope no one hits the B-pillar in the process of crashing or there will be even more problems. After this evaluation, one thing is clear – the BMW X1 is “renowned” for being an overpriced lemon.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes BMW pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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