Most common 2009 BMW X6 problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X6 complaints by model year
Best X6 years: 2017, 2018, 2015. Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2009. Compare all years →
2009 BMW X6 recalls (11)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge.
Show 5 more recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Other fuel types › Turbo/supercharger
BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, model year 2010-2011 5-series gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-series, model year 2010-2011 x5 sav, and model year 2008-2011 x6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, engines because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on December 19, 2011. Owners May contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
BMW is recalling my 2009 x5 and x6 vehicles. The rear brake discs May not have been manufactured according to specifications. As a result, a reduction in braking performance at the affected rear wheel could occur.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and will repair the vehicles by inspecting the rear brake discs and, if necessary, replace them free of charge. The safety recall began on September 11, 2009.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 BMW X6:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2009 BMW X6 owners say
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X6. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired, but the failure continued. Also, while driving, fuel fumes and smoke were present inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
I took my 2009 BMW X6 to the BMW dealer, union city ga for 3 purposes: suspected leak of coolant; check engine light on; and excessive smoke coming from both exhaust pipes. Spoke with/communicated via email with BMW svc rep, went over documented concerns...to include smoke from both exhaust pipes; received document for approval; which I approved. Received vehicle 3 days later, returning home with vehicle to observe smoke 'excessive' from both exhaust pipes. Returned vehicle, to be told by svc mgr, "I'm sorry, I can only reprimand svc rep, as the work that was done would not correct smoke from exhaust." then, svc mgr went on to speak of the class action law suit that addressed this problem, but the timeframe to have this corrected (for free) had expired 'by date"...and this information is usually sent to the original owner. …
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X6. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired, but the failure continued. Also, while driving, fuel fumes and smoke were present inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X6. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW X6. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced any failures. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X6. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16V364000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2009 BMW X6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW X6 a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 X6 rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the X6 at the same age. It is one of the X6 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 BMW X6?
The engine & cooling — 13 complaints, 59% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (3) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X6 have?
There are 11 recalls for the 2009 BMW X6, the most recent from January 15, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW X6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2018 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2009. See the full BMW X6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 BMW X6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.