I am reaching out regarding a serious issue with my 2016 BMW X6 M, which suffered a driveshaft failure. I understand that certain BMW models were recalled for similar issues, but my vehicle was not included. Given the severity of the damage and the number of similar complaints online, I believe this issue warrants further review. Recently, while driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden failure, requiring it to be towed to a repair shop. There were no warnings or indications that anything was wrong. Upon inspection, the mechanics determined that the driveshaft had come loose, causing extensive damage to the undercarriage and transmission. Due to the severity of the issue, which literally renders my car as a complete loss due to a repair bill over $35,000. I am reaching out to you for assistance. I also contacted BMW's customer relations line which followed a standard script indicating that there were no recalls and no acceptance of any responsibility.
NHTSA complaint #11657880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2014 BMW X6
at 118,000 milesAberdeen Proving Ground, MD
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X6. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, there was a shuddering sound coming from under the driver’s seat. Additionally, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case and drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transfer case and drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #11657448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’ve been having issues with the front end since I purchased the vehicle. The dealership had not diagnosed this issue yet in 3 years. It had caused my vehicle to be in the shop continuously, my front driver side tire is worn out. I had to replace all brakes and rotors after 2 years, numerous sensor issues, radiator loses fluid as well as software issues.
NHTSA complaint #11630662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front driveshaft universal joint. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11588636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local mechanic who informed the contact that the driveshaft had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11575842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and ascending an incline, the vehicle started to lose forward momentum and was vibrating. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driveshaft needed to be replaced, and that the transmission was leaking and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 17V138000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11555036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact stated that upon inspection of the vehicle, he discovered that front driveshaft universal joint was loosened. Upon investigation, he discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11492552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During operation in DRIVE, the vehicle would shift to PARK, without the control lever being operated. This occurred intermittently, but with greater frequency over time. The safety concern is that it occurred while in traffic and even occurred on an Interstate highway, while at momentary stop. When reported to BMW, the failure was isolated to the mechatronics, the components including electronic valve body, seals, etc. that control BMW automatic transmission functions. This is not a failure of an eco-mode or other fuel efficiency option. The item required costly repair, but confidence that a single part or system was isolated and repair is complete has not been confirmed.
NHTSA complaint #11447297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2011 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 #11443848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 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 #11426519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 mph, he heard a rumbling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stopped and inspected the vehicle and saw that the driveshaft had detached from the vehicle and was laying on the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the detached driveshaft caused a hole to develop in the transmission casing and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11423073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL BALL JOINT MALFUNCTION. SHOWS IT'S ON RECALL . ENGINE TURBO/SUPERCHARGER FAILURE. ENGINE COOLANT MALFUNCTION. THE CAR STALLS FROM THE TURBOS MALFUNCTIONING & I FEEL THE LEFT WHEEL IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM DRIVESHAFT WHICH MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN YOU ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #11374211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 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.
NHTSA complaint #11329168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR PULLS HARD AND SHUDDERS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT OR REVERSING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME BUT THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING WHAT ISSUE IS. MY BROTHER SAID IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSFER CASE OR ALL WHEEL DRIVE NOT WORKING. SHAKES HARD AT EVERY TURN LIKE WHEEL IS DRAGGING. MY TURBO'S HAVE BEEN LEAKING SINCE THE DAY I GOT CAR AND BMW NEVER ADVISED ME AFTER I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM MY CAR ISNT DRIVING AT MAX POTENTIAL. IM ALWAYS TOLD A LOT OF WHITE STEAM OR SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST IS NORMAL. HAVE HAD MY CAR AT BMW SERVICE MORE THAN IVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT. REPLACED CAR BATTERY MYSELF BECAUSE CAR KEPT SAYING LOW POWER MODE AND BMW SERVICE CHARGED ME $800 SAYING IT WAS NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.. IT WASNT THE ISSUE. CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE A WEEK LATER. I COULDNT DRIVE IT FOR 2 WEEKS THEN FINALLY HAD IT TOWED TO A REGULAR SHOP WHICH SAID IT WAS THE SPARK PLUGS! NOW CAR TRANSFER CASE HAS BEEN BAD FOR PAST 6 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #11234876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR IS JUMPING FORWARD WHEN IM COMING TO A STOP AT LIGHTS. ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ONE TIME. IT ALSO SHIVERS WHEN TURNING SLOW OR BACKING UP AND SLOWLY ACCELERATION. I CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING SO THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A BAD TIRE BUT REALIZED UPON RESEARCH IT COULD BE DRIVE TRAIN OR POWER STEERING. NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT GRILL AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK A WEEK AGO. LIFTED THE HOOD AND LOOKED AROUND. SAW FLUID BAKED ONTO A NOZZLE BUT COULDNT READ WHAT FLUID COMPARTMENT IT WAS.. JUST RESEARCHED ISSUES IM HAVING ONLINE AND SAW IT IS THE POWER STEERING NOZZLE, WHICH ACTUALLY HAD A RECALL BACK THE YEAR MY CAR WAS MADE FOR POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSING FIRES! SCARY STUFF CONSIDERING I HAD SMOKE COMING OUT OF ENGINE GRILL LAST WEEK.. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT BMW SERVICE DEPT HALF OF THE TIME IVE OWNED IT BECAUSE I NOTICE IT NOT FEELING OR DRIVING CORRECT FOR THE ENGINE I HAVE AND WHEN I HAD WARRANTY SO MANY ISSUE'S WERE IGNORED AND MADE WORSE BY THE HORRIBLE TECH'S THEY HAVE. MY TURBO'S HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR A WHILE CAUSING MY CAR TO NOT PERFORM 100%, THEY NEVER ADVISED ME AND ALWAYS SAID CAR DROVE FINE. MY COOLANT WAS LEAKING BADLY AND AFTER DROPPING MY CAR WITH THEM, THEY GAVE IT BACK STATING IT WAS FIXED. I DROVE FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND REALIZED THE TECH NEVER PUT COOLANT BACK IN AND THE LIST GOES ON..
NHTSA complaint #11207055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.