2012 Bmw X6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
72,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 32 complaints (46.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 15 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Engine: 15; Power Train: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Electrical System: 5; Steering: 3; Air Bags: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2012: 2; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10469994 · 2012-08-09 (August 9, 2012)
THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNING THAT ANY OF THE DOORS OR HATCH BACK IS OPEN PRIOR TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AT PRINCETON NEW JERSEY BMW, THE VEHICLE HAS TO REACH 5 MPH BEFORE THERE IS A WARNING. THIS IS TOO LATE. I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE WHEN MY BMW X6 KEY ACCIDENTALLY OPENED THE HATCHBACK. THE KEY DESIGN IS VERY POOR AS ALL BUTTONS ARE FLUSH WITH THE HAND. IT WILL OPEN DOORS OR WINDOWS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPENDING ON HOW IT GOES IN MY POCKET. AS I DROVE OFF OUT OF MY PARKING S…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476122 · 2012-09-13 (September 13, 2012)
CPSC#I1280311A. 2012 BMW X6. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY AUDIBLE OR VISUAL WARNINGS THAT ANY OF THE DOORS OR HATCH BACK IS OPEN PRIOR TO DRIVING. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, WHEN HIS KEY ACCIDENTALLY OPENED THE HATCHBACK. THE KEY DESIGN WAS VERY POOR, BECAUSE AT ANY TIME, THE DOORS COULD OPEN BY THEMSELVES. AS HE DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE UNAWARE THE HATCHBACK WAS OPEN, HE DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP WHICH RAISED THE HATCHBACK ENOUGH TO IMPACT AN OVERHEAD CONCRETE COLUMN WHICH CAUSED OVER $1800 IN DAM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10476122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691775 · 2015-03-03 (March 3, 2015)
ENGINE MALFUNCTION. ENGINE OPERATING AT REDUCED OUTPUT. ENGINE HAS MALFUNCTIONED NUMEROUS TIMES. SHUTS DOWN TO REDUCED OUTPUT, WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ALLOWANCE FOR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, ONLY ALLOWING FOR 4-5 MPH TRAVEL. EXTREME DANGER! BMW HAS A "CUSTOMER CARE PACKAGE" THAT IS A RECALL, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT CALLING IT A RECALL. HOWEVER, ALL PARTS OF RECALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON VEHICLE AND NOW HAVING TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC AND DO NOT TRUST TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO MERGE ONTO INTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,932 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691778 · 2015-03-03 (March 3, 2015)
INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE REPEATEDLY SINCE APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE. BMW SERVICE SAYS NEED TO DRIVE CAR MORE THAN 20-30 MILES PER DAY TO KEEP BATTERY CHARGED AND DRIVING SHORT, IN CITY TRIPS IS NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS GOING. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD COME WITH A DISCLAIMER IF YOU LIVE AND WORK IN A CITY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691781 · 2015-03-03 (March 3, 2015)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SMOKING, BURNING OIL AND LEAVING A BLACK RESIDUE ON TAIL PIPES AND ON PAINT AROUND TAILPIPES SINCE APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS OLD. BMW SERVICE ADVISED OIL USAGE WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. OIL CONSUMPTION HAS CONTINUED TO INCREASE TO AS MUCH AS 6 QUARTS IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES. HAVING SERIOUS ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS WITH ENGINE SHUT DOWN, WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. BELIEVE THERE IS AN INHERENT DEFECT IN THE ENGINE AND THAT CAR IS A DANGER. BMW SERVICE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691783 · 2015-03-03 (March 3, 2015)
WAS SLOWING VEHICLE WHILE ENTERING ONTO INTERSTATE RAMP AT A SHARP LEFT. VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT DOWN ENGINE. NO ABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE. ALSO HAPPENED WHILE SITTING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10821765 · 2016-01-22 (January 22, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT TO THE LOWER GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCED A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,00…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10821765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861630 · 2016-04-27 (April 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING MESSAGE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD OVER HEATED IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO COOLANT PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861630 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V020000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
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, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certain 2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2009 X6 xDrive 35i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, and 2009 X5 xDrive35d vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, BMW is recalling certain 2007-2008 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, and 2008 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Interim letters were mailed March 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V138000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2017-03-02 (March 2, 2017)
BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Consequence: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V030000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)
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 Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2018-04-18 (April 18, 2018)
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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-14 (January 14, 2019)
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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V016000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
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 containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
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, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗