RoadVitals

2018 BMW X1 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Oct 19, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 60 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 BMW X1 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineSuspension
Filed Oct 19, 2026

On XXX we finalized the sale through a online purchase. XXX The car was shipped & received to our residential address from [XXX] to [XXX] XXX. The front drivers side tire exploded on the highway in normal road conditions at about 50-55MPH… we had it towed to Mar Mac tire.  Our insurance(Geico) covered the damage(comprehensive) but would not cover the tires b/c they were pre existing conditions. Mar Mac tire confirmed all 4 tires were dry rotted and bald. This was the cause of the “catastrophic tire failure” XXX, we got the vehicle back from a custom body shop.  XXX, my wife took the vehicle to Midas for trembling while driving. They informed her that the rotors, pads, struts & sway bars were destroyed bad and needed replaced. We paid for it all and left the same day. But they told us to bring it back XXX when other parts will arrive but then told us they wouldn’t be there till the XXX. XXX, we bring the vehicle back to finish the work, but was informed a transfer case was also needed ASAP. But we should contact and go through our warranty(NPV). XXX. The car overheated and we had it towed to Midas since they were supposed to be giving a estimate to our warranty company for the transfer case.  We have not gotten the vehicle back since XXX and its still at Midas currently b/c our warranty is taken their sweet time. And now, there is also a thermostat issue, and possible engine & radiator issue. We have had this vehicle 81 days and counting(starting XXX) and only physically possessed it for 22 days as of now. It is still currently at the shop(Midas) waiting to see if the warranty will cover the pre existing mechanical issues.  I have requested from the dealership, Motor Mania 46(American Sales LLC) and our bank(Global lending services) on multiple occasions, either pay it off in full, buy it back or void the sale and they said no. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11772021
Incident
Aug 2, 2026
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2026

On May 20, 2026 We were in Mt Dora, FL We were approaching a red light. Cars were stopped in front of us and cars were beside me and behind me. As I slowed down the car just stalled out. It completely turned off while I was in drive. I immediately tried to start it. Then I put my foot on the brake and put it in park and turned on my hazard lights. I waited about 3 minutes and started it up. It was so scary because we could have been hit from behind.

NHTSA ID
11747527
Incident
May 20, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine and engine overheating warning lights became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact had an older BMW that had experienced the same failure, and the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The local dealer was contact and the contact was informed that the current vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11721707
Incident
Feb 14, 2026
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated that while approaching an intersection at 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and came to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to continue driving. However, shortly afterward, the vehicle stalled again. The contact allowed the vehicle to sit idle for a while before attempting to restart the vehicle for a third time and was successful in driving the vehicle safely to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and 18V465000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); as the possible cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

NHTSA ID
11646359
Incident
Mar 3, 2025
Mileage
54,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2024

There is an issue with the X1 series of BMWs where the system shuts down after a cold start. This car displays alerts on the dashboard, and BMW service has confirmed that there are two firmware updates available to fix the issues. However, instead of providing the updates at no charge, they are asking for almost $1,000 for the firmware update. Forum discussions indicate that this issue causes the engine to stop after a cold start, which is extremely challenging, especially when leaving a garage into oncoming traffic, as the car just shuts off. There should be a recall and free firmware updates for these vehicles. FC 151001 IGNITION TIMING DURING COLD START

NHTSA ID
11604840
Incident
Jun 15, 2024
Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2024

Car does not idle when first starts. Shifting into reverse causes car to nearly stall. To avoid this, I have to touch the accelerator with extra pressure which causes the car to jerk uncontrollably backwards. This is a known fault on X1 BMW’s. BMW requires $300-500 to complete a software update with no guarantee this will correct the problem. The software update was completed once before in 2019 and the problem persists. They are asking for another payment for another update with no guarantee.

NHTSA ID
11575026
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2024

Car began to make a loud humming noise from the engine compartment and the car went stiff. The check engine light came on and when taken to have the light looked at, it showed a faulty thermostat.

NHTSA ID
11572818
Incident
Feb 19, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered significantly upon depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the evaporative emission control circuit had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

NHTSA ID
11540519
Incident
Jun 12, 2023
Mileage
63,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .