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BMW · Compact SUV · 2015–2022

BMW X1 F48

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

3.0 / 5.0 · Based on 3 engine variants
Most Fun Engine

136–306 PS

2.0L Turbo Benzin

Underpowered

Not Really

Generations


Engine Overview

The BMW X1 F48 is available with 10 engine variants — from 102 to 306 hp.

18d · Diesel· 136–143 PS
2015 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
sDrive18d · Diesel· 143–150 PS
2015 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
xDrive20d · Diesel· 184–197 PS
2015 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
xDrive25d · Diesel· 231 PS
2015 2019
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
sDrive18i · Benziner· 136 PS
2015 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
sDrive20i · Benziner· 192 PS
2015 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
xDrive20i · Benziner· 192 PS
2015 2022
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
xDrive25i · Benziner· 231 PS
2015 2019
Be Careful 6 weaknesses
20i · Benziner Mild-Hybrid· 150–156 PS
2019 2022
Be Careful 7 weaknesses
xDrive25e · Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid· 220 PS
2020 2022
Be Careful 7 weaknesses

The BMW 18d (Diesel, 136–143 PS) has the B47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW sDrive18d (Diesel, 143–150 PS) has the B47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW xDrive20d (Diesel, 184–197 PS) has the B47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW xDrive25d (Diesel, 231 PS) has the B47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW sDrive18i (Benziner, 136 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW sDrive20i (Benziner, 192 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW xDrive20i (Benziner, 192 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW xDrive25i (Benziner, 231 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.

The BMW 20i (Benziner Mild-Hybrid, 150–156 PS) has the B38B15 (1.5L 3-Zyl Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.

The BMW xDrive25e (Benziner Plug-in-Hybrid, 220 PS) has the B38B15 (1.5L 3-Zyl Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
Recall: EGR Cooler Fire Risk (Diesel)

On diesel engines, glycol can escape from the EGR cooler. Contact with soot deposits at high temperatures creates an increased fire risk. Vehicles built up to January 2017 are affected (first wave); the recall was expanded multiple times.

Symptoms: Smoke from the engine bay, burnt smell on pull-away, in rare cases open flame
Low
Recall: PHEV High-Voltage Battery Short-Circuit Risk

On the xDrive25e (plug-in hybrid), foreign objects from battery production can cause short circuits in the high-voltage pack. Vehicles with a production date of January to September 2020 are affected.

Symptoms: No driver-visible warning before short circuit; in rare cases fire risk with a fully charged battery
Low
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Below Average
399 complaints · 2015–2022
Other
132 ⚠ 1
Powertrain
95
Body Structure
61 ⚠ 1
Electrical
54
Brakes
37

Top Reported Issues

Other (132 complaints)
Powertrain (95 complaints)
Body Structure (61 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 27 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW X1 F48 (2015–2022) — 19 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Other, Gearbox, Suspension, HVAC.

X1 (B47D20, 2015–2022) — 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.

X1 (B47D20, 2015–2022) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 184–197 PS.

X1 (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: 231 PS.

X1 (B47D20, 2015–2022) — 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.

X1 (B48B20, 2015–2022) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 136 PS.

X1 (B48B20, 2015–2022) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 192 PS.

X1 (B48B20, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 231 PS.

X1 (B38B15, 2019–2022) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation, Crankshaft bearing half-shell undersized (early production), Turbocharger shaft seal leaking — oil consumption. Power: 150–156 PS.

X1 (B38B15, 2020–2022) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation, Crankshaft bearing half-shell undersized (early production), Turbocharger shaft seal leaking — oil consumption. Power: 136–140 PS.

What to watch out for with the BMW X1? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the BMW X1 F48 have? +
The BMW X1 F48 has 19 known engine weaknesses and 8 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used BMW X1 F48? +
faq.watch_a_none
Which engine is recommended? +
Be careful: B38B15 (1.5L 3-Zyl Turbo), B48B20 (2.0L Turbo), B47D20 (2.0L Diesel). No engine is rated 'Good Choice'. The most fun to drive is the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo).
Which BMW X1 F48 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the BMW X1 F48 — rated: "Not Really". {description} Too little engine for too much car. Uphill it becomes a test of patience.
Is the BMW X1 F48 worth buying used? +
The BMW X1 F48 requires careful consideration — choosing the right engine variant is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the BMW X1 F48? +
The BMW X1 F48 is available with engine variants from 102 to 306 hp. Petrol: B38B15 (1.5L 3-Zyl Turbo), B48B20 (2.0L Turbo). Diesel: B47D20 (2.0L Diesel).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee