FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Analysis Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Recall lookup Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2008 BMW 6 Series problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2008 BMW 6 Series with NHTSA between 2008 and 2018. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the BMW 6 Series All 2008 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

11

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

8,863 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

67%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2008 compares with every other BMW 6 Series

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2008 BMW 6 Series

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 3 27.3%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 2 18.2%

Median failure at 1 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 9.1%

Median failure at 1 miles

Seats 1 9.1%
Tires 1 9.1%

Median failure at 17,725 miles

Body & Structure 1 9.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Airbags 1 9.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 9.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 3 50.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 16.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 33.3%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2008 BMW 6 Series 2-DR w/SAB — — — —
2008 BMW 6 Series Convertible w/SAB — — — —

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 2008 peak 3 Feb 2018

Recalls on the 2008 BMW 6 Series

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2012109 16,748 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. Over time, the bolt connection could loosen, which would increase electrical resistance. In addition, an incorrectly insulated bulkhead connector could allow humidity to accumulate at this location, causing current leakage. These issues could cause the cable connection to overheat, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, secure the insulated bulkhead connector. In addition, protective grease will be added to the area and the plastic battery positive terminal cover will be replaced.

Recall 2010328 8,167 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 1 miles Lakeland, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONVERTIBLE TOP LOCKS UP RANDOMLY, GET MESSAGE TO REDUCE SPEED DUE TO TOP NOT BEING LOCKED WHEN IT WAS FINE THE "RIDE" BEFORE, TRY TO "LOCK", THEN WINDOWS GO HALFWAY DOWN AND STAY STUCK THAT WAY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION, ON STREET OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11073372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Lakeland, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONVERTIBLE TOP LOCKS UP RANDOMLY, GET MESSAGE TO REDUCE SPEED DUE TO TOP NOT BEING LOCKED WHEN IT WAS FINE THE "RIDE" BEFORE, TRY TO "LOCK", THEN WINDOWS GO HALFWAY DOWN AND STAY STUCK THAT WAY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION, ON STREET OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11073372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Lakeland, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CONVERTIBLE TOP LOCKS UP RANDOMLY, GET MESSAGE TO REDUCE SPEED DUE TO TOP NOT BEING LOCKED WHEN IT WAS FINE THE "RIDE" BEFORE, TRY TO "LOCK", THEN WINDOWS GO HALFWAY DOWN AND STAY STUCK THAT WAY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION, ON STREET OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11073372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Rosa, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SHOWS THE BMW LOGO THEN SCREEN GOES BLANK AND KEEPS CYCLING THE SAME WAY. THE NAV, RADIO, BLUETOOTH, CD AND THE SOS LIGHT ERROR IN THE CLUSTER. SAFETY ALARKS ARE ALL DISABLED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO DETECT OR REPORT IF OBJECTS ARE NEAR THE BUMPER OR SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE UNIT STAYS RUNNING (MAYBE THE FAN) WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND DRAINS THE BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #10940255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Rosa, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

SHOWS THE BMW LOGO THEN SCREEN GOES BLANK AND KEEPS CYCLING THE SAME WAY. THE NAV, RADIO, BLUETOOTH, CD AND THE SOS LIGHT ERROR IN THE CLUSTER. SAFETY ALARKS ARE ALL DISABLED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO DETECT OR REPORT IF OBJECTS ARE NEAR THE BUMPER OR SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE UNIT STAYS RUNNING (MAYBE THE FAN) WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND DRAINS THE BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #10940255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, AL

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED IN 3-4 GEAR, WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE. HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACE WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10641104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN POURING RAIN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE A RAG TOP CONVERTIBLE BMW THAT WHEN IT IS POURING RAIN..WATER SOMEHOW PERMEATES THE BACK OF THE CAR AND "FRIES" THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AS I AM DRIVING.. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT FRIED THE ONBOARD CCC AT 48,000 MILES, AND ALL THE COMPONENTS AND NOW IT HAS APPARENTLY COMPROMISED THE REPLACED PARTS IN THE TRUNK AREA.. I LOOKED IT UP AND IT THERE IS "SERVICE BULLETIN" NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10028770.. AND I AM SORRY BUT I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THE RAIN.. AND ALL OF SUDDEN ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS START TO FIZZLE OUT.. AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED..

NHTSA complaint #10621822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Baltimore, MD

STRUCTURE

2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN POURING RAIN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE A RAG TOP CONVERTIBLE BMW THAT WHEN IT IS POURING RAIN..WATER SOMEHOW PERMEATES THE BACK OF THE CAR AND "FRIES" THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AS I AM DRIVING.. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT FRIED THE ONBOARD CCC AT 48,000 MILES, AND ALL THE COMPONENTS AND NOW IT HAS APPARENTLY COMPROMISED THE REPLACED PARTS IN THE TRUNK AREA.. I LOOKED IT UP AND IT THERE IS "SERVICE BULLETIN" NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10028770.. AND I AM SORRY BUT I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THE RAIN.. AND ALL OF SUDDEN ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS START TO FIZZLE OUT.. AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED..

NHTSA complaint #10621822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,725 miles Santee, CA

TIRES

BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 245-40-R19 94W MAJOR SIDEWALL FAILURE, 3 INCH SECTION OF TIRE FROM BEAD OF TIRE AT RIM SURFACE LOOKS AS IF BEAD FAILED AND SIDE WALL TORN AWAY FROM BEAD TOWARDS TREAD, NO SIDEWALL OR RIM IMPACT DAMAGE AND TORN OUTWARD FROM RIM TOWARDS TREAD INDICATING SIDEWALL MATERIAL FAILURE ON 2008 BMW OE TIRE WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ABOUT 50% TREAD REMAINING, NO SURFACE DAMAGE TO TIRE OR RIM, FAILURE APPEARS TO BE INTERNAL DEFECT AND COULD CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS, COMPLETE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR OCCURRED. TIRE STILL ON RIM WILL TAKE PICS, NO RIM OR TIRE DAMAGE. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO TIRE OR RIM, JUST TWO TEARS FROM BEAD TOWARDS TREAD AND 3 INCH SECTION HANGING OUTWARD LARGE OPEN HOLE CAUSED OPEN HOLE AND IMMEDIATE COMPLETE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. I HAVE OVER 30 YEARS IN AUTOMOTIVE NEW CAR DEALER, SHOP FOREMAN AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT AND NEVER HAVE SEEN A FAILURE OF THE SIDEWALL LIKE THIS WHERE THERE IS A CLEAN NON DAMAGED SURROUNDING SURFACE INCLUDING THE RIM. FAILURE ISOLATED TO 2 SIDEWALL TEARS FROM BEAD AWAY TOWARDS TREAD OUTWARD.

NHTSA complaint #10379501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Landenberg, PA

SEATS

WHILE PASSENGER IS IN THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS LIT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PERSON IN THE SEAT, THAT PERSON IN THE SEAT IN MY SON THAT WEIGHS ABOUT 225 LBS. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT AND SENSOR. ONCE I GOT MY CAR BACK I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS ALSO WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS FOR THIS ISSUE. ALSO IN THE VEHICLE OPTIONS FOR THIS FORM MY CAR WASN'T ON THERE SO MY CAR MODEL IS: 2008 BMW M6.

NHTSA complaint #10238437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Landenberg, PA

AIR BAGS

WHILE PASSENGER IS IN THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS LIT, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PERSON IN THE SEAT, THAT PERSON IN THE SEAT IN MY SON THAT WEIGHS ABOUT 225 LBS. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHOLE PASSENGER SEAT AND SENSOR. ONCE I GOT MY CAR BACK I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS ALSO WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS FOR THIS ISSUE. ALSO IN THE VEHICLE OPTIONS FOR THIS FORM MY CAR WASN'T ON THERE SO MY CAR MODEL IS: 2008 BMW M6.

NHTSA complaint #10238437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.