2012 BMW X1

The 2012 BMW X1 has 5 recalls, the most serious of which include two separate fire risks, a driver airbag that can rupture and send fragments into the cabin, and a braking system that can lose its power assist.

On the fire side, fluid from the crankcase ventilation system can leak onto the water pump's electrical connector and cause a short circuit that can ignite a fire even when the vehicle is parked and off. A separate wiring concern involves an electrical short in the connector system that also raises the risk of fire. On the safety equipment side, the driver airbag inflator uses a propellant that can degrade over time under heat and humidity, and if the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can rupture and throw metal fragments toward the driver. The braking concern involves the vacuum pump, which relies on a steady supply of oil to generate the pressure assist that makes the brake pedal feel light and responsive. If that oil supply is interrupted, the pump can fail and the brake pedal becomes significantly harder to press, extending the distance it takes to stop the vehicle. Rounding out the list is an electrical issue where the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box can fail while driving, cutting power to the engine and various vehicle systems including lights, which can cause the engine to stall without warning and leave the driver with reduced control and no lighting.