vinkodex.

BMW X1 X1 xDrive20d common faults.

2015–2019, SUV, diesel, 190 HP.

The fault list covers: B47C20O0, B47C20O1 engine, GA8F22AW transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 5 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

Diesel high pressure pump: power loss and engine shutdown while driving

critical

The high pressure pump of these common rail diesels (Bosch CP4) can fail while driving. The characteristic course is not gradual: a "Drivetrain fault" message appears on the dash, and within a few seconds the power is gone, on the motorway too. Afterwards the engine often cranks but will not start.

Show the rest

What makes the repair expensive: once the inside of the pump wears, metal debris travels through the rail and contaminates the entire fuel system. At that point replacing the pump is not enough: the injectors, the rails, the tank and the lines go with it. That is the difference between a "pump replacement" and a "full system replacement" quote, that is what you should ask about.

The maker started a recall for this in the United States (NHTSA 21V586000, 2014 to 2018 328d / X5 xDrive35d / 535d / 740Ld / X3 xDrive28d). The same campaign did not run in Europe, even though the same pump works in the 320d/520d/X3 20d versions that are common right across Europe. The recall does not cover these cars.

between 79,000 and 248,000 km

What to check

  • Ask whether there has ever been a "Drivetrain fault" message or a loss of power while driving
  • Ask for the service history: if the high pressure pump was replaced, check whether the injectors and the lines were replaced with it. If not, the debris may still be in the system
  • After a cold start listen to the engine at idle: irregular running or smoke is suspect
3 more steps in the write-up

B47 diesel: the timing chain stretches on the early model years

critical

On the early model years the timing chain of the B47 stretches faster than intended. The chain tensioner compensates for the stretch for a while and then no longer can: the chain jumps, the valve timing goes off, and in a severe case engine damage follows. The first sign is a rattling, clacking noise on a cold start that goes quiet after one to three seconds. On the B47 the chain sits at the front of the engine, not at the rear as on its predecessor, the N47. The replacement is therefore considerably less, between 1,200 and 1,800 euro, against 2,000 to 2,500 euro on the N47; if the chain has already jumped, the repair can run up to 4,500 euro. The risk is highest on units built before the end of 2015, with a reported rate of 3 to 5 per cent. 2016 was better but cases remained, and between July and December 2016 an improved chain tensioner was phased in. After mid-2016 the problem is rare, below one per cent. The engine has been in almost every four-cylinder diesel BMW since 2014, from the 1 Series to the 5 Series and from the X1 to the X4. The build date therefore says more here than the model.

above 120,000 km1,200–4,500 EUR

What to check

  • Start the engine cold and listen for the rattling noise in the first seconds
  • Ask for the build date, because units built before the end of 2015 are the risky ones
  • Ask whether the chain or the tensioner has been replaced, and ask for the invoice
2 more steps in the write-up

B47 / B57 diesel: particulate filter and turbo on short trips

critical

The B47 replaced the N47, and the maker fixed the timing chain problem. The two remaining risks on this modern diesel depend on how the car was used.

Show the rest

The first is the particulate filter. On short urban trips the regeneration cannot finish, and the filter clogs. The second is the turbo. With extended oil change intervals its bearings wear.

On this engine the service history and the type of use tell you more than the odometer. On a 200,000 km car driven on motorways and serviced often, the filter and the turbo can be in better shape than on a 90,000 km city-only car.

Where turbo wear leads in the worst case: a runaway engine. If the turbo shaft seal fails, engine oil enters the intake on the compressor side. A diesel burns that too, and this is different from a petrol engine: a diesel controls torque with the quantity of fuel injected, and it has no throttle. Once the engine runs on its own oil, cutting the injection and switching off the ignition will not stop it. The revs climb on their own until the engine destroys itself for lack of lubrication.

If this happens while driving, turning the key does not help. The only thing that works is cutting off the air: cover or plug the intake, or discharge a dry powder extinguisher into the intake tract. On a manual car you can also stall it: hold the parking brake and the brake pedal, select a high gear, and release the clutch quickly so the drivetrain chokes the engine.

This is not common, and it can happen on any turbo diesel, not only on this engine. On this engine the turbo bearing and seal wear. The warning signs are blue smoke under acceleration, an unexplained drop in oil level, and an oily charge air pipe.

What to check

  • Ask how the car was used: short daily trips or longer runs?
  • Read the fault codes for particulate filter regeneration and differential pressure
  • On a longer test drive watch the power delivery and the smoke under load
5 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW X1 X1 xDrive20d

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall5 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 9 May 2019

19V349000STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSSTRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS9 May 2019 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. In the event of a crash where the occupants head contacts the B-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vertical trim pieces on the upper portion of the interior B-Pillars, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 1, 2019. Second notices will be sent as parts become available, starting on September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

19V074000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTSEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS30 January 2019 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle.

Risk: If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

A12/01377/22Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Defects in the winding of cell-internal foils in the high-voltage batteries can lead to the occurrence of increased self-discharge. This can cause high voltage cell modules to overheat, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/0367/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The nuts of the rear light brackets may be contaminated with oil. Oil can cause cracks in the light brackets and the rear lights may separate from the vehicle leading to an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1491/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A spherical-collar disk is missing on the tie rod end of the steering gear. Consequently, the steering gear might break due to excessive wear, leading to a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

2 engines · 1 transmissions

B47C20O0

140 kW (190 HP) · diesel

GA8F22AW · 8-speed automatic, transverse (Aisin TG-81SC / BMW GA8F22AW)

automatic · 8 speed

Torque limit580 Nm
MakerAisin

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it. More than one engine code is possible. The fault list shows the faults of each.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
X1 xDrive20d
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1995 cc
Power
140 kW (190 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2015–2019

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All F48 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms