Common Problems with the BMW 1 Series
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 2 days ago
5 min read
- BMW
- Common problems
FixMyCar discusses common problems and average repair costs for the BMW 1 Series.
Launched in 2004, the 1 Series is a collection of subcompact executive cars from the popular German automaker BMW. It offers excellent value for money, particularly if you buy a used model.
However, there are a few known issues with the 1 Series that owners and potential buyers will want to be aware of. These include:
Contents
What's wrong with the BMW 1 Series?
What’s wrong with the BMW 1 Series?
Drivers commonly search online for information about the following faults.
BMW 1 Series convertible problems
Convertible roofs are susceptible to various issues, including leaks and failure of the hydraulic closing and opening system. The average price of a 1 Series convertible roof repair on FixMyCar is £65.
BMW 1 Series door lock problem
Some 1 Series cars can suffer from locking problems. This can be due to a faulty lock actuator or a module fault. The average price of a central locking system repair for a 1 Series on FixMyCar is £140.
BMW 1 Series EGR valve problems
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve (image below) controls the flow of exhaust gas, regulating emissions. Sometimes, it can get stuck open or closed due to soot building up, causing symptoms including rough idling and stalling.
Replacing an EGR valve can be expensive - £329.64 on average for a 1 Series - so it’s best to prevent it from getting stuck in the first place by following this advice.
BMW 1 Series mass air flow sensor problems
The mass airflow (MAF) sensor (pictured below) measures the air entering the engine. Based on this information, the engine control unit (ECU) maintains the correct air-to-fuel ratio.
Unfortunately, some 1 Series drivers have reported issues with the MAF sensor, leading to symptoms such as reduced engine power, stalling, decreased fuel efficiency and the engine running rich or lean. The average price of a sensor repair for a 1 Series on FixMyCar is £148.79.
BMW 1 Series drivetrain fault
Another problem experienced by some 1 Series owners is a drivetrain warning message on the dashboard. The message is vague but typically indicates an issue with the engine or gearbox.
However, in some cases, it can also be triggered by a faulty auxiliary water pump or turbine valve affecting the sensors. The best thing to do in this situation is book a diagnostic test, which costs £55.63 on average for a 1 Series.
BMW 1 Series recent recalls
| Recall number | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| R/2022/255 | 22.08.22 | Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold. |
| R/2021/442 | 29.12.21 | The material quality of seat and seatbelt screws may not be according to specification. |
| R/2021/037 | 09.02.21 | Leaking glycol coolant could create in combination with soot and oil sediments in the EGR module ignitable deposits. |
| R/2020/191 | 27.07.20 | It is possible that the camshaft bearing cap screws could come loose on the affected vehicles. |
| R/2020/110 | 27.04.20 | This airbag fabric could be damaged by the airbag cover during deployment. |
| R/2018/260 | 15.10.18 | The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. |
| R/2018/211 | 20.08.18 | The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. |
| R/2018/027 | 05.02.18 | The latching element of the Easy Entry Kit on the driver's seat does not lock correctly into the lower swinging arm. As a result the backrest could fold under heavy load such as in a collision or unsecured load in the rear and harsh braking. |
BMW 1 Series 2004-2011 faults
Drivers have encountered the following problems with the first-generation 1 Series.
1. Ignition coil pack failure (petrol models)
The ignition coil pack acts as a transformer, boosting voltage from the battery to reach the spark plugs. If your ignition coils fail, you will likely experience trouble starting, misfires, rough idling, an illuminated check engine light and lack of power.
What repair is needed for ignition coil pack failure, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
Faulty ignition coils need replacing. On average, this costs £150.59 for a 1 Series on FixMyCar.
2. Faulty steering rack
Some 1 Series cars suffer from mechanical failures with the steering rack, resulting in excessive noise when turning the wheel and sometimes a knocking noise from the rack teeth when travelling over uneven ground or turning.
What repair is needed for a faulty steering rack, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
Depending on the severity of the problem, a new steering rack may need to be fitted. The average price on FixMyCar for a 1 Series is £431.72.
3. Automatic gearbox problem
Some 1 Series owners have experienced issues with the automatic gearbox stopping them from moving the selector between ‘P’, ‘D’ and ‘R’. This can happen for two reasons. The first is an issue with the gearbox interlock solenoid (which will trigger a fault code), and the second is the gear selector cables being out of adjustment (which doesn’t trigger a fault code).
What repair is needed for an automatic gearbox problem, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
Either the solenoid needs replacing, or the selector cables need adjusting. The average price for a 1 Series automatic gearbox repair on FixMyCar is £310.
4. Faulty timing chain parts
In some first-gen 1 Series cars, the timing chain guide rail, tensioner and tensioner rail can be faulty, causing a grinding sound from the engine.
What repair is needed for faulty timing chain parts, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
The repair depends on your mileage. Less than 50k requires a replacement of the timing chain lower guide rails, guide sleeves and upper chain tensioner. More than 50k means you should also replace the upper and lower timing chains, the high-pressure pump cog and the upper and lower guide rails.
The average price of a timing chain replacement for a 1 Series on FixMyCar is £1,007.82.
BMW 1 Series 2011-2019 faults
The second-generation 1 Series is notoriously reliable, with only a few minor issues to report.
1. Electrical issues
Leaves and other debris can get stuck in the drains around the engine bay, allowing water to build up, which can sometimes cause electrical issues.
What repair is needed for electrical issues, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
There isn’t much you can do about the fact that the engine bay drains get clogged other than check them regularly and remove any debris. If your car develops an electrical issue because of this, we recommend booking an electrical fault diagnosis, which costs £61.18 on average for a 1 Series.
2. Knocking suspension
The suspension in some second-gen 1 Series cars can start making a knocking noise.
What repair is needed for knocking suspension, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
A mechanic will investigate which suspension parts are causing the noise and replace them. The average price of a 1 Series suspension repair is £129.68.
BMW 1 Series 2019-present faults
Drivers have encountered the following problems with the third-generation 1 Series.
1. Electrical issues
Drivers commonly report electrical issues with the third-gen 1 Series, including malfunctioning sensors and unreliable dashboard warning lights.
What repair is needed for electrical issues, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
If you’re experiencing electrical problems, it’s best to take your car to a BMW specialist for a diagnosis because the causes can sometimes be hard to identify. The average price of a 1 Series electrical fault diagnosis on FixMyCar is £61.18.
2. Engine problems
According to workshop and warranty claims data obtained by The Car Expert, engine problems are unfortunately common with the 1 Series.
When your car develops an engine-related fault, you’ll usually see the check engine light on the dashboard, and you may experience misfires, stalling and a lack of power depending on the problem.
What repair is needed for engine problems, and how much does it cost for a BMW 1 Series?
The first step is to find out what engine problem you’re facing. The average engine management light diagnostic price for a 1 Series on FixMyCar is £68.99.
Is the BMW 1 Series reliable?
In the most recent WhatCar? reliability survey, the BMW 1 Series came fifth out of 29 vehicles in the family car class with an excellent score of 97%. It has a solid reputation for reliability.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.