What Causes the Noise in BMW X1's Power Tailgate?
4 Answers
BMW X1's power tailgate noise may be caused by the following reasons: Wear of Power Tailgate Hinges: Use a cloth or tissue to wipe off dust, then apply a small amount of lubricating oil with a cotton swab to the door hinges and the circled area of the limiter. Open and close the door repeatedly, and continue applying oil and repeating the door opening and closing steps until the noise disappears. Avoid applying too much lubricating oil to prevent contamination of other door parts. If the issue persists, it may be due to wear, and new hinges and limiters may need to be replaced. Aging of Power Tailgate Sealing Strips: Check if the door sealing strips are aging. As sealing strips are rubber products, regularly clean dust and rainwater from the gaps between the strips to prevent aging. Since sand and dust can easily accumulate in the gaps of the sealing strips, use a brush to frequently clean them, then apply a layer of highly permeable protective agent to prevent aging. If the sealing strips are severely damaged or significantly aged, they need to be replaced with new ones.
I drove a BMW X1 for several years and also encountered the annoying issue of the electric tailgate squeaking. Once, while loading luggage on the highway, I suddenly heard a sharp friction noise, which scared me into checking immediately. Later, I found that the main cause was dry lubrication in the tailgate hinges—long-term use accumulates dust, and grease tends to build up in the joints. Another reason could be bearing wear in the electric support arms, leading to poor operation and noise. If that’s not the case, it might be due to aging seals or dust embedded in the tracks, causing loud friction. I bought a specialized silicone-based lubricant and sprayed it, which mostly solved the problem, but a thorough cleaning during regular maintenance was needed for a complete fix. I recommend always paying attention to the source of the noise and not delaying repairs to avoid minor issues turning into major fixes.
Having worked in the auto repair industry for over a decade, I've encountered numerous cases of BMW X1 power tailgate noise. The common culprits usually fall into these categories: insufficient lubrication in the electric strut mechanism joints causing excessive friction; internal motor issues such as loose wiring or rotor wear; or deformed/dirty weatherstrips creating noise. For DIY troubleshooting, first try operating the tailgate manually to locate the sound source, then lightly spray lubricant on the joints to see if it helps. Never force or hammer components to avoid damaging electronic parts. The best solution remains professional diagnosis at a certified shop - technicians can use specialized equipment to test voltage and component status, especially important given BMW's precision engineering where malfunctions may affect opening/closing safety.
The squeaking noise in the BMW X1's electric tailgate is mostly caused by insufficient lubrication or component wear. For instance, dry hinge joints can produce creaking sounds, cracked seals may cause friction noise, or aging motors might operate poorly. A simple solution: clean the dust from the tracks and apply some specialized grease. If the noise persists, it could indicate an internal fault, requiring part replacement. Don't ignore it, as the tailgate's functionality may deteriorate further.
