Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into neutral with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Car goes into limp mode on highway. Shakes very bad and I lose power to my car speed going from 65-70mph to 30-40mph forcing the car trying to get to a safe area to see why my car suddenly lost power. After dodging all the close call accidents from me trying to pull over I come to a complete stop and car is shaking out of control so I turn it off and turn it back on but my car still shakes out of control. After sitting on the side of the road with traffic zipping past me for about 30 minutes I turned my car back on and the shaking went away. Days later the car did it again but I was in city streets I pulled over and turned off the car and waited 30 minutes again. The next day I took it to a mechanic shop and told me the high pressure fuel pump has gone out and there is metal shaving in the gas tank and in the lines. To repair my car it would cost me near $3,500!
While driving on the highway, the warning "engine power reduced" came on and the car just started slowing to a complete stop. Smoke started coming from the engine and the rear, then came to a complete stop and has not started again. Was towed from the highway to a safe location and I was told by mechanic that it was leaking all engine oil and power steering fluid
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 BMW X6. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it spontaneously caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X6. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that there was an unknown recall associated to the VIN. The dealer completed recall repairs. The contact stated on July 16, 2021 while her husband was driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,900.
Fuel pump stopped working almost died on highway after car stalled and wouldnt let me drive while it turned off . I cant believe a fuel pump is bad at 107 k miles . Ive read multiple forums on same issue w other x6 this needs immediate attention someone could die .
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion while leaving a parking lot, the vehicle jerked with a delay while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started overheating. The contact shut off the vehicle and waited for the vehicle to cool down before restarting the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic stated that the timing chain gears failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The contact stated that the dealer had the part but would not sell it to the contact due to the part being under a recall. The contact referenced BMW recall B110923 as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Other fuel types › Turbo/supercharger
BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, 5-series gran turismo, model year 2012 6-series convertible, 7-series, x5 sav, and 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 April 30, 2012. Owners May contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW X6 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (18), 2012 (15), 2009 (13), 2010 (8) and 2013 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for BMW X6 engine problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 24V-576 (software, Aug 1, 2024); 18V-248 (engine, Apr 18, 2018); 14V-176 (engine, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW X6 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (1 mentions).
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.