BMW X6 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 186 consumer complaints across the 13 model years of the BMW X6 (2009–2024) that have at least 5 complaints. 2012 has the most, with 32. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (56 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All X6 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | — | 5 | 136 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 5 | 55,000 | 1 | 148 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 7 | 51,000 | 7 | 244 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 9 | 63,843 | 10 | 301 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 5 | 99,912 | 4 | 65 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 9 | 48,000 | 1 | 241 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 9 | 51,500 | 1 | 249 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 11 | 100,000 | 3 | 185 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 25 | 55,000 | 5 | 217 | 32 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 32 | 72,450 | 7 | 215 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 31 | 60,000 | 11 | 257 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 15 | 79,966 | 9 | 278 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 19 | 58,244 | 10 | 248 | — | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine56 26%
- Transmission and drivetrain37 17%
- Air bags30 14%
- Fuel system25 11%
- Electrical system22 10%
- Other or unknown19 8.7%
- Brakes19 8.7%
- Steering11 5.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2009: “I took my 2009 Bmw X6 to the Bmw dealer, advantage Bmw midtown (houston, texas) for suspected oil leak and excessive white smoke coming from both exhaust pipes. I requested multi-point inspection including the engine. The complete multi-point inspection results along with findings and an estimate can be found in the attached report. …”
NHTSA complaint #11338140, filed 2020-07, 58,244 miles2015: “I was driving hwy 80 the traction control malfunction light came on and in a split second I lost control of vehicle. I started to skid toward wall dividers and quickly braked. Then the brakes locked up causing me to crash on to the divided. This vehicle was purchased with anti lock brakes. This was definitely a Bmw malfunction!”
NHTSA complaint #11174346, filed 2019-02, 57,000 miles2016: “'takata recall' I was driving my 2016 Bmw X6 xdrive 50i on highway all of a sudden, I heard a hitting sound under the car. I pulled over to the shoulder and I realized front driveshaft had broken off. Fortunately, traffic was heavy and moving slow this allowed me to pull over safely.”
NHTSA complaint #11251904, filed 2019-08, 10 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology