Complaints about the 2011 BMW X6 peaked in 2014, with 5 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
SUV, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Mar 15, 2011 to Jun 5, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V-017 | Jan 15, 2020 | These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and… | Airbags | 59,965 | Part replacement |
| 20V-016 | Jan 15, 2020 | These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and…Do not drive | Airbags | 4,007 | Part replacement |
| 19V-017 | Jan 14, 2019 | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment…Do not drive | Airbags | 83,016 | Part replacement |
| 18V-248 | Apr 18, 2018 | Electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat | Engine and cooling | 47,806 | Part replacement |
| 18V-030 | Jan 9, 2018 | In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation…Do not drive | Airbags | 41,808 | Part replacement |
| 17V-138 | Mar 2, 2017 | Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure | Powertrain | 121,909 | Part replacement |
| 16V-746 | Oct 17, 2016 | Affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts | Fuel system | 136,188 | Part replacement |
| 16V-364 | May 25, 2016 | These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original…Do not drive | Airbags | 97,738 | Part replacement |
| 16V-311 | May 17, 2016 | Affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which… | Powertrain | 21,493 | Part replacement |
| 11V-521 | Oct 20, 2011 | 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… | Engine and cooling | 32,084 | Part replacement |
| 10V-233 | Jun 2, 2010 | Tire label does not conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the vehicles are… | Equipment | 296 | Label or owner notice |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
31 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
I returned home from shopping at local store 15 miles away. Arrived home around 11:30pm on June 3. Unloaded groceries and sat down. Around 11:45pm-11:50pm heard yelling from outside that our car was on fire. My husband ran out and and seen flames coming from under hood of car. I called 911 and within a couple mins middle of hood was completely starting to melt and components were spraying fluid and popping pieces of metal and plastic were thrown everywhere. A neighbor proceeded to use 2 fire extinguishers to try to control blaze which did not seem to calm flames. Fire department arrived and sprayed down side of house and back of our other car which was parked In front of our BMW. Do to the extreme heat we could not get into other car to move it as it was parked by closed garage doors. Myself, our 2 daughter's and visiting friend were forced from the house due to concerns that the house might catch fire. We watched as the cars whole front engine area burned completely.During the trip to the store there were no warning signs on vehicle stating anything wrong. The fire marshal did a report on the fire and it was towed to local tow yard. At this time it is available for inspection. Preceding fire since it was unexplained to us we looked into recalls of the BMW and found multiple claims and reports for recall. Looking up VIN on NHSTA' s website VIN came back as "0" unrepaired recalls. We purchased the vehicle from a private dealer who never mentioned if vehicle ever had any recalls or had been fixed. And our search before purchase said there were no recalls on the vehicle. Due to the extreme heat our driveway was burned and our vehicle in front received heat damage to whole back of car. The fire was so intense that the engine area all the way to the back seat is burned. Thank goodness me and my daughter were not driving the vehicle at the time this happened as the engine fire burned quickly. This fire was not caused by arson or any factors under our control.
NHTSA complaint 11742337The 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.
NHTSA complaint 11579229The 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 vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.
NHTSA complaint 11541410While driving the check engine light came on moments later the steering wheel stiffened up then released mid turn when I turn the steering wheel the tires didn’t respond I hit a curb
NHTSA complaint 115011772011 BMW x6m 115k miles the car system was burning smell coming. Smell like electrical problem the system of the car shuts down no power just enough power to pull over off the road. Turned it off and back on it went away. Check engine light and reduced of power keeps coming on. We look into the truck water is leaking into the electrical. Trunk electrical broken. Comfort access not working. This car is really unsafe and its not fix.
NHTSA complaint 11443848The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently shift into neutral upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact would restart the vehicle soon after the failure to resume normal driving. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the Vin. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
NHTSA complaint 11426519The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor prior to the vehicle losing motive power. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted approximately an hour later. The contact stated that the fuel pump message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
NHTSA complaint 11418909MY VEHICLE CUT OF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND TRAFFIC. MY ENGINE STARTED SMOKE. I WAS AFRAID FOR MYSELF AND CHILDREN. I HAVE ALWAYS TOOK MY CAR INTO THE BMW OF BLOOMFIELD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE I HAVE NEVER MISS NOT ONE APPOINTMENT. FOR THE LAST 5 TO 6 MONTHS. MY VEHICLE STAYED IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. THE LONGEST WAS APPROXIMATELY 42 DAYS AND ONCE I RECEIVED MY CAR MY ENGINE STARTED SMOKING SO I GIVE THEM BACK MY VEHICLE. I ASKED THEM IF THEY FOUND OUT WHAT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SMOKE LIKE THIS? THERE COULDN'T GIVE ME A STRAIGHT FORWARD ANSWER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE PICKING UP MY VEHICLE THEY ALWAYS LEFT SOMETHING UNPLUGGED CAUSING MY INTERIOR LIGHTS TO GO CRAZY BECAUSE OF THE WIRES BEING NOT PROPERLY FIXED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. I'VE PROBABLY SPENT NO LESS THAN 3,500. ON TOP OF THEM TELLING ME I NEED SOME RUN FLAT TIRES AND ALL THE LIGHTS WILL STOP BECAUSE OF THOSE TIRES. ONLY 5 DAYS LATER MY CAR STALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOOK THE CAR OVER TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP THE CALLED ME TO INFORM ME OF MY ENGINE BEING DOESN'T WORK I ASKED HOW THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW, AND IN THE SAME BREATH THEY SAID THAT IF I WANTED A NEW ENGINE IT WILL COST ME 15,000 NOT INCLUDING TIME AND LABOR. *TR
NHTSA complaint 11329168TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW CLEVELAND (6135 KRUSE DR, SOLON, OH 44139, (440) 542-0600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
NHTSA complaint 11281623-ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE BOTH REAR DOORS ALMOST BURNED THE CAR DOWN TWICE. LUCKILY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO FIND WHERE THE SMOKE SMELL WAS COMING FROM IN TIME. 3,000 DOLLAR EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT AND GAVE MANY EXCUSES TO NOT PAY FOR IT. -ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION ISSUE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint 11206942TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DROVE OFF AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF LAS VEGAS (6900 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117, (702) 570-0279), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNLESS IT WAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA complaint 11176331AFTER IDLING ON A CAR WASH FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES, THE CAR START TO SMOKE. I HAVE TALKED TO 3 MORE OWNERS OF MY SERIES AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A BMW DEFECT AND NOW AM USING EXCESSIVE OIL TOO.
NHTSA complaint 11119489TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST FORWARD MOMENTUM WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF ALBANY (801 E OGLETHORPE BLVD, ALBANY, GA 31705, (229) 883-2040) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT
NHTSA complaint 11105379TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LOST TRACTION. THE VIBRATION STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABOVE 5 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA complaint 11099128AFTER THE CAR IS BEEN DRIVEN UNDER A SNOW STORM , WHEN THE SNOW IS NOT CLEAR HAVE TO DRIVE TO WRK 1 HOUR AWAY , THE NEXT DAY ONCE ALL SNOW IS CLEAR THE CAR TENDS TO SHAKE VERY BAD , EVERY TIME THE SAME WHEN U HIT 30MPH SHAKES VIOLENTLY LIKE THE CAR IS GONNA BREAK APART. BUT ONCE U TAKE IT INSIDE THE CARWSSH AND WASH IT TENDS TO GO AWAY? I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT? IT'S NOT THE SNOW ON THE TIRES CUZ I CLEAR ALL THAT BEFORE , I LEAVE THE HOUSE THE NEXT DAY.
NHTSA complaint 11065228TURBO COOLANT RECALL. THE TURBO COOLANT PUMP IS NOT WORKING WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT NOW CURRENTLY LEAKING FROM THE HOSES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND IF I START TO DRIVE IT, IT STARTS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint 11022151TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AS WELL AS A U-TURN, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND MOVES UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED AT BMW OF MANHATTAN LOCATED AT 555 W 57TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10019 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V311000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BMW OF MANHATTAN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED TRANSFER CASE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint 11020614TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED MY BMW CENTER IN SAVANNAH ABOUT THIS RECALL AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE UP TO MORE THEN YEAR FOR THE PARTS, THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO AND IM YET TO BE CONTACTED. I TRULY DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY VEHICLES!
NHTSA complaint 10914304ABOUT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #16V-311, AT THE BEGINNING OF 2015, MY 2011 BMW X6 WITH ONLY 45000 MILES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEELS, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY NEVER FOUND ANY ISSUES, I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE DRIVE SHAFT AND RECENTLY A RECALL TO REPLACE IT, THE CAR KEEPS GETTING WORSE EVEN AFTER A NEW DRIVE SHAFT, I HAVE EMAIL BMWUSA BUT NO RESPONSE, I ONLY DRIVE THE CAR WHEN IS NECESSARY BECAUSE I'M ALMOST SURE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK AND MIGHT CAUSE AND ACCIDENT, THE CAR VIBRATES AND MAKES MECHANICAL NOISES MOSTLY WHEN I'M TURNING THE WHEELS AND PRESS ON THE GAS.
NHTSA complaint 10904566TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE OVER HEATED AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN ERROR MESSAGE "GO TO A BMW CENTER". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA complaint 10899466Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.