Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2015 BMW X6 with NHTSA between 2018 and 2024.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the BMW X6. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
41.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2015 BMW X6
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
433.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 85,000 mi
Brakes
216.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Child Seats
18.3%
Stability & Traction Control
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 57,000 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
18.3%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
342.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
228.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
114.3%
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.
May 2018peak 3Dec 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 BMW X6
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2015 BMW X6
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 2024544587,250 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 20195825,139 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the attachment points for the lower universal anchorage system (for attaching a child seat) could be damaged over time. As a result, a child seat may come loose. Safety Risk: A child seat that is not properly secured could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to add a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 46,000 milesNEW Berry Park, CAFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE AS DRIVEN ALL MORNING AND WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED ANOTHER PATIENT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE RESIDENTIAL ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND WITHIN A MOMENT, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ADVISED WHY OR WHERE THE FIRE INITIATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO COLLISION CENTER AND THE COLLISION CENTER ADVISED THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #11372910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSAN Leandro, CA, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING HWY 80 THE TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND IN A SPLIT SECOND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I STARTED TO SKID TOWARD WALL DIVIDERS AND QUICKLY BRAKED. THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON TO THE DIVIDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A BMW MALFUNCTION!
NHTSA complaint #11174346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSAN Leandro, CA, CACrash2 injured
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING HWY 80 THE TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND IN A SPLIT SECOND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I STARTED TO SKID TOWARD WALL DIVIDERS AND QUICKLY BRAKED. THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON TO THE DIVIDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A BMW MALFUNCTION!
NHTSA complaint #11174346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fort Worth, TX
POWER TRAIN
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!
NHTSA complaint #11629551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
ENGINE
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!
NHTSA complaint #11629551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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!
NHTSA complaint #11629551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mableton, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle moonroof shattered for no reason at all it was as if an explosion occurred, forcing the glass upwards.
NHTSA complaint #11558311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesStaten Island, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11423540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesNEW Berry Park, CAFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE AS DRIVEN ALL MORNING AND WHEN THE CONTACT REACHED ANOTHER PATIENT HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE RESIDENTIAL ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND WITHIN A MOMENT, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ADVISED WHY OR WHERE THE FIRE INITIATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO COLLISION CENTER AND THE COLLISION CENTER ADVISED THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #11372910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
CHILD SEAT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V823000 (CHILD SEAT) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HANSEL BMW OF SANTA ROSA (2925 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11311945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBronx, NY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND MANAGED TO DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS TO PARK AVE BMW (216 NJ-17, ROCHELLE PARK, NJ 07662, (201) 843-7900). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11288809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesPanama City Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAULTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE BRAKES WERE ALMOST GONE BECAUSE THEY MADE A GRINDING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF FORT WALTON BEACH (1000 N BEAL PKWY NW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32547, (850) 863-8352) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT NEW REAR AND FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE REAR BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY; HOWEVER, THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #11183143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSAN Leandro, CA, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING HWY 80 THE TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND IN A SPLIT SECOND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I STARTED TO SKID TOWARD WALL DIVIDERS AND QUICKLY BRAKED. THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON TO THE DIVIDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A BMW MALFUNCTION!
NHTSA complaint #11174346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSAN Leandro, CA, CACrash2 injured
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING HWY 80 THE TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND IN A SPLIT SECOND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I STARTED TO SKID TOWARD WALL DIVIDERS AND QUICKLY BRAKED. THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO CRASH ON TO THE DIVIDED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A BMW MALFUNCTION!
NHTSA complaint #11174346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesHouston, TX
VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY 69 IN HOUSTON, TX. IT WAS A CLEAR SUNNY DAY. NO HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES WERE AROUND ME, NOR DID ANYTHING HIT MY SUNROOF. IT EXPLODED FROM INSIDE OUT. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD FIRED A GUN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE. I HAD TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I WAS TO FRANTIC TO DRIVE OR DO ANYTHING. I AM SO NERVOUS TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE. IT WAS A BLESSING I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THEY WANT ME TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF MY POCKET OR FILE THE REPAIRS ON MY INSURANCE, BMW NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY..
NHTSA complaint #11094098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.