2016 BMW X1 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 BMW X1, 8% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The hands-free mechanism/actuator for opening and closing the tailgate (making a kicking motion with the foot) activates unintentionally when loading and unloading items from the rear storage area. On four (4) occasions while loading or unloading from the rear storage area, the open tailgate door has closed (without being intentionally activated by me) and come down onto my head. While there is a brief warning sound, the tailgate comes down very quickly on my head and does not stop when it makes contact with my head. …”
NHTSA complaint #10986123, filed 2017-05, 9,000 miles“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 BMW X1. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 81,295, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 135,400.”
NHTSA complaint #11665898, filed 2025-06, 135,400 miles“Sun shade mechanism will not open, causing the sun shade to tear. Seems that sun shade is off the track, or hung and will not allow for closure on this Bmw X1”
NHTSA complaint #11390750, filed 2021-01, 60,000 miles“The sunroof shade is a common failure point on these cars that’s not being addressed. A quick internet search provides hundreds of reports of the same with the 2016+ vehicles. While it may seem harmless, my 3 year old constantly had the sun beating on the top of his head, especially in the hot summer sun. I had to pay somebody to install 5% tint on the glass because the sun was enough to give his skin a light sunburn. BMW wants $2500 to fix what’s obviously a defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11505662, filed 2023-02“I saw there was a recall for the sunroof for my type of vehicle, sunroof components do not open when I press to open it. Cloth of sunroof got stuck and is now broken.”
NHTSA complaint #11478627, filed 2022-08Related service bulletins
- 11009005Oct 12, 2024The “End of life” or “Emergency call system error” Check Control message appears in the vehicle. The following fault memory entry is stored: B7F341 – Emergency battery: Hardware…
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10247578Dec 8, 2023When using the Key Reader to retrieve CBS information from the customer key, no current vehicle data is available, or the data does not match the maintenance schedule.
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10245368Nov 17, 2023Vehicle exhibits a slight acceleration delay when taking off from a MSA (automatic engine start-stopfunction) stop.
- 10245377Nov 13, 2023When using the Key Reader to retrieve CBS information from the customer key, no current vehicle data is available, or the data does not match the maintenance schedule.
- 10238090May 1, 2023After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10235205Mar 1, 2023The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE…
- 10235192Mar 1, 2023The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
- 10235183Mar 1, 2023While driving on rough roads, a knocking sound can be heard coming from top of the instrument panel (aka dashboard) in the bulkhead area.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 53% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 | 4 | 6% |
| 2021 | 3 | 30% |
| 2020 | 2 | 15% |
| 2019 | 5 | 38% |
| 2018 | 8 | 13% |
| 2017 | 24 | 15% |
| 2016 | 13 | 8% |
| 2015 | 31 | 60% |
| 2014 | 24 | 44% |
| 2013 | 18 | 47% |
Other parts of the 2016 BMW X1
64 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 BMW X1
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology