Problem Lookup › BMW › 1 Series
BMW 1 Series Problems, Recalls and Owner Complaints by Model Year
Across 2 model years, NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 101 owner complaints for the BMW 1 Series. Newest model year first. Data as of October 25, 2026.
BMW 1 Series by model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 BMW 1 Series | 3 | 51 | |
| 2012 BMW 1 Series | 7 | 50 |
Model years with no recall and fewer than three complaints are not listed. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. All BMW models.
BMW 1 Series: questions owners ask
Which BMW 1 Series year has the most problems?
By owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the BMW 1 Series model years with the most are the 2013 (51) and 2012 (50). Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are naturally lower; compare years of a similar age.
How many recalls does the BMW 1 Series have?
NHTSA lists recalls for 2 BMW 1 Series model years, 10 in total when counted per model year (one recall often covers several years). The years with the most are the 2012 (7) and 2013 (3). Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Which BMW 1 Series years have the most stalling complaints?
14 owner complaints across 2 BMW 1 Series model years describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. The most were filed for the 2012 (11) and 2013 (3) model years. Each model-year report has the owner quotes and any related recall.
How often does the BMW 1 Series fail its MOT?
In 2023 UK MOT tests, the BMW 1 Series's first-time failure rate ranged from 5.8% for cars first registered in 2021 to 33.3% for 2010, across 12 registration years with at least 100 tests. Older cars fail more often. The most common failure areas were lights and electrics, tyres, brakes. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.