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BMW E84 X1 common problems
2013–2015 · sDrive28i / xDrive28i, xDrive35i (N20, N55). The known weak spots of the engines used in the E84, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.
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N20 engine
sDrive28i / xDrive28i (2013–2015) · N20 bulletins →
Timing chain guide wear
BMW extended N20/N26 timing chain and oil pump drive chain coverage to 7 years/70,000 miles (SI B11 03 17), and a class-action settlement added partial coverage beyond that. A whine from the front of the engine is the warning sign.
BMW bulletins on file for the E84:
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
N20 timing chain replacement: prices →
Sources: BMW SI B11 03 17 on NHTSA
Oil leaks and electric water pump
Valve cover, oil filter housing gasket leaks and electric water pump failures also come up on higher-mileage N20s.
BMW bulletins on file for the E84:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
N55 engine
xDrive35i (2013–2015) · N55 bulletins →
Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and oil pan leaks
The N55's most common repairs are oil leaks at the filter housing gasket, the plastic valve cover and the oil pan gasket.
BMW bulletins on file for the E84:
- SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
- SIB 11 03 15 Valve cover leak Valve cover leak on N20 engines (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices → N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices → N55 oil pan gasket: prices →
Electric water pump and thermostat
Like the N52 and N54, the N55 uses an electric coolant pump that eventually fails.
BMW bulletins on file for the E84:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 01 16 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on N20/N52/N55 engines (2012–2017); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2017
- SIB 01 06 17 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on BMW E84 models (2013–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2017
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →
Charge pipe cracks
The plastic charge pipe between turbo and intercooler can crack, causing a sudden loss of boost; it's a shared N55/S55 weak point.
Most frequent bulletin topics 108 bulletins
| Topic | Bulletins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | 6 | NHTSA 10162434, NHTSA 10147623 |
| Battery | 4 | SIB 61 03 14, SIB 61 10 25 |
| Check engine light | 3 | SIB 11 10 12, SIB 12 04 15 |
| Thermostat warranty extension | 2 | SIB 01 01 16, SIB 01 06 17 |
| Transmission | 2 | SIB 24 02 15, NHTSA 10059011 |
| Engine new-car delivery hold | 2 | SIB 51 16 15, SIB 11 20 14 |
| Fuel injectors | 2 | SIB 12 38 14, SIB 13 04 13 |
| Engine reduced power | 2 | SIB 12 16 11, NHTSA 10150096 |
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the E84, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.
NHTSA recalls by component 7
- water pump, plug connector · 1 recall24V608
- cables · 1 recall17V087
- hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · 1 recall14V627
- vacuum · 1 recall13V454
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.
BMW warranty extensions that list the E84
- SIB 01 20 16 Electrical system service information Electrical system service information on BMW E46/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · May 2026
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
- SIB 11 02 21 Electrical class-action settlement Electrical class-action settlement on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2018); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Sep 2021
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 16 18 Airbag class-action settlement Airbag class-action settlement on BMW E46/E53/E70/E71 and other models (2006–2015); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2019
- SIB 01 01 16 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on N20/N52/N55 engines (2012–2017); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2017
- SIB 01 06 17 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on BMW E84 models (2013–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2017
- NHTSA 10215024 Engine warranty extension Engine warranty extension on BMW E60/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2011–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2017
If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.
Repair prices for these engines
N20 timing chain replacement N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat N55 oil pan gasket VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N55 ignition coils (all six) N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement
Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.
Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.