Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, fuel system, and engine. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 BMW X1: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/4
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/1
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 BMW X1. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 26–27 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 BMW X1, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden loss of engine power with a Drivetrain malfunction warning on the dash is the main pattern. One case traces it to a failed turbo wastegate actuator, confirmed by an independent shop. Another report describes smoke followed by a fire under the hood near the driver's side windshield, and the car was declared a total loss. Other complaints mention loud noise from under the car, repeat warning codes, and weeks of back-and-forth dealer visits that did not fix the problem. One owner says service staff left clamps off after a repair.
Fuel getting into the evaporative leak-check system turns on the check engine light. In one case the dealer replaced the NVLD unit, the charcoal canister, and the tank vent valve, then blamed the owner for overfilling the tank. The owner denies overfilling. A more serious report describes the plastic fuel tank being punctured by road debris on the freeway, which drained the fuel and caused a loss of power at speed. That owner says later models add underbody protection for the tank.
Road debris punctures the lower radiator and drains the coolant. Both complaints describe a rock thrown up on the highway, with coolant running out and the car needing a tow. Driving on without coolant could seize the engine at highway speed. The dealer said the car did not come with a protective guard from the factory, but the replacement part includes one. The dealer treated the repair as road damage, not a warranty item, so the cost went through insurance.
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 X1 years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the fifth model year of the X1's second generation (2016–2022).
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X1 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i and X2 sDrive28i, 2020 MINI Clubman Cooper S All4, 2021 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and Cooper S E) and MINI Hardtop 4 Door (Cooper and Cooper S) vehicles. Due to a problem with the rollover sensor within the air bag control unit, in the event of a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners and other safety systems, may not activate.
Risk: If the safety systems do not deploy as intended in a roll over crash, it may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Cars shoppers compare with the BMW X1, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
