BMWX12016Overview/bmw/x1/2016/base/

2016 BMW X1

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 X1.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2016 BMW X1, equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission (S8), delivers EPA-rated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, positioning it competitively within its segment for efficiency-conscious buyers; official specifications for the engine and platform are not detailed in available records, though engine oil service follows standard BMW maintenance protocols. Among the model's complaint history spanning 2012 through 2026, the 2016 model year recorded the highest number of owner complaints at 159 total, accompanied by three recalls during this period—a figure substantially elevated compared to later model years, where 2022 experienced the lowest complaint count at just one. This pattern suggests that while the 2016 X1 faces documented reliability concerns relative to both its predecessors and successors, subsequent model years have demonstrated marked improvement in owner satisfaction and reduced issue frequency, indicating meaningful refinements in quality or addressed defects over time.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacityRefer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure.OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/31/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11425B3A1A5. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/50R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11425B3A1A5 alt 11428570590
Engine air filter13718513944
Spark plug12120040551
Battery61217555719 alt 61216924021
Front wiper blades61615A27D68
Cabin air filter64316835405 alt 64316835406

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height63.4 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3660 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 31 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X1 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2016 xDrive28i
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.90 sec228 hpAWD
2016xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec228 hpAWD
2016xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.90 sec228 hpAWD
2016xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.20 sec228 hpAWD
2020xDrive28i (xLine) 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.40 sec228 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Hypoid axle oil G1 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilHypoid axle oil G1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2-2.1
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0-3.2
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.2
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF-LT-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.0

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug TypeM14X1.25
Spark Plug Gapnon-adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance570 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-23 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 BMW X1 marks the debut of its second generation and sits at the peak of the model's federal complaint and technical service bulletin volume, recording 159 complaints and 219 TSBs — the highest figures across the entire 2012–2026 dataset. The following year, 2017, remains nearly as elevated with 154 complaints and 188 TSBs before a sharp decline to 59 complaints and 97 TSBs in 2018, after which volumes stay low through 2022 aside from a recall-driven uptick in 2023–2024. The leading complaint category for 2016 is "Unknown Or Other" at 54 reports, followed by Power Train at 29, Visibility/Wiper at 15, and Structure at 12; the data does not specify root causes for any of these areas. One crash complaint and one fire complaint were logged for the model year. With three recalls and one investigation also recorded, the 2016 X1 reflects a typical first-year launch profile of elevated manufacturer corrections and owner reports. Buyers should treat this as a higher-risk model year and prioritize vehicles with documented completion of all three recalls and any applicable TSB work.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
219
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
159
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 159 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other54
Power Train29
Visibility/Wiper15
Structure12
Service Brakes7
Electrical System6
Engine4
Structure,Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V747000Seat Belts:Front:RetractorReported 17/10/2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…

19V349000Structure:Body:Roof And PillarsReported 09/05/2019

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 219 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0109252025-07-31Power TrainThe limited warranty for the automatic transmissions Selector Lever Magnetic Shift…
B8403242024-10-11Electrical SystemThe “End of life” or “Emergency call system error” Check Control message appears in the…
B0104192024-09-16EngineFor this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in…
B6404162024-01-19StructureCustomer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific X1. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 X1 take?

Refer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure. of Use engine oil meeting BMW specification LL-01 or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 X1 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X1 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined mpg.