BMW 1er F20
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
286–387 PS
3.0L Turbo Benzin
Last RWD 1 Series — 340 hp closed-deck in a compact
Fun to Drive!170–252 PS
2.0L Turbo Benzin
7 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The BMW 1er F20 is available with 12 engine variants — from 90 to 387 hp. 8 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The BMW 114d (Diesel, 95 PS) has the N47D16 (1.6L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The BMW 116d (Diesel, 116–136 PS) comes with 4 different engines: N47D20 (2011–2015, Stay Away!) und B47D20 (2012–2015, Be Careful) und B37D15 (2015–2019, Be Careful) und B47D20 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 116d!
The BMW 118d (Diesel, 136–150 PS) comes with 4 different engines: N47D20 (2011–2015, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2011–2015, Stay Away!) und B47D20 (2015–2019, Be Careful) und B47D20 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 118d!
The BMW 120d (Diesel, 177–190 PS) comes with 4 different engines: N47D20 (2011–2015, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2011–2015, Stay Away!) und B47D20 (2015–2019, Be Careful) und B47D20 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 120d!
The BMW 125d (Diesel, 211–224 PS) comes with 2 different engines: N47D20 (2012–2015, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2012–2015, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 125d!
The BMW 114i (Benziner, 102 PS) has the N13B16 (1.6L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The BMW 116i (Benziner, 109–136 PS) comes with 2 different engines: N13B16 (2011–2015, Be Careful) und B38B15 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 116i!
The BMW 118i (Benziner, 136–170 PS) comes with 3 different engines: N13B16 (2011–2015, Be Careful) und B38B15 (2015–2019, Be Careful) und B38B15 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 118i!
The BMW 120i (Benziner, 177–184 PS) comes with 2 different engines: N13B16 (2014–2019, Be Careful) und B48B20 (2015–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 120i!
The BMW 125i (Benziner, 218–238 PS) comes with 3 different engines: N20B20 (2012–2016, Stay Away!) und B48B20 (2016–2019, Be Careful) und B48B20 (2016–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 125i!
The BMW M135i (Benziner, 326 PS) has the N55B30 (3.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 10 known weaknesses.
The BMW M140i (Benziner, 340 PS) has the B58B30 (3.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 12 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Electric steering fails or binds EPS issues are widespread on the F20: the rack binds, aluminium bolts corrode on vehicles built July 2011–May 2015, and the electric motor can detach from the rack. Full replacement usually necessary. Symptoms: Loud noise when turning, very heavy steering, 'Steering' warning light illuminates. from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 81 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW 1er F20 (2011–2019) — 74 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: N20B20 (2.0L Turbo), N47D20 (2.0L Diesel). Typical issues affect Steering, Suspension, Gearbox, Body.
1er (N47D20, 2011–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 116–121 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2011–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 136–150 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2011–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 177–190 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2012–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 211–224 PS.
1er (B47D20, 2012–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 116 PS.
1er (N47D16, 2012–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain wear, Timing chain guide rails break (N47 issue), EGR cooler fire risk (recall KBA 008124). Power: 95 PS.
1er (B37D15, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretches — rattling on cold start, DPF clogging on short trips, Injector failure from short-trip use. Power: 116 PS.
1er (B47D20, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 143–150 PS.
1er (B47D20, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 184–190 PS.
1er (B47D20, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 136–143 PS.
1er (N13B16, 2011–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch, Turbo oil supply line — O-rings defective, Piston rings and valve stem seals worn. Power: 136 PS.
1er (N13B16, 2011–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch, Turbo oil supply line — O-rings defective, Piston rings and valve stem seals worn. Power: 170–177 PS.
1er (N13B16, 2012–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch, Turbo oil supply line — O-rings defective, Piston rings and valve stem seals worn. Power: 102 PS.
1er (N20B20, 2012–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing chain and oil pump chain, Electric water pump failure, Oil pump chain / oil pump sprocket defective. Power: 238 PS.
1er (N55B30, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Bearing wear from neglected maintenance, Electric water pump failure, High oil consumption. Power: 326 PS.
1er (B38B15, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation, Crankshaft bearing half-shell undersized (early production), Turbocharger shaft seal leaking — oil consumption. Power: 109 PS.
1er (B38B15, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation, Crankshaft bearing half-shell undersized (early production), Turbocharger shaft seal leaking — oil consumption. Power: 136–140 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 184 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 218–224 PS.
1er (B58B30, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: Oil filter disintegrates — engine damage risk, Plastic oil filter housing cracks — coolant/oil mixing, PCV valve / valve cover membrane failed. Power: 340 PS.
What to watch out for with the BMW 1er? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee