2012 BMW X6 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
7 safety recalls list the 2012 BMW X6, and owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
7 safety recalls for the 2012 BMW X6
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
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…
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…
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Inflator module (air bags)
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,…
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…
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
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…
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.…
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Engine (engine and engine cooling) and turbo/supercharger (engine and engine cooling)
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…
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.…
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
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,…
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…
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Driveshaft (power train)
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…
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.
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
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…
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…
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 BMW X6 have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 62,667 miles. Complaints peaked in 2017 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 po”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 14, 2024 · Power train
“Took vehicle in to get checked. Had a hose replaced due to antifreeze leak. After picking vehicle up. Interior lights doesn’t work, signal lights doesn’t work, and or emergency brakes doesn’t work. My”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 12, 2023 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 BMW X6 (X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 xDriveM). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 12–16 / 17–23 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 3/4.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6); Automatic (S8) |
Compare BMW X6 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X6 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 BMW X6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 BMW X6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 BMW X6 | 8 | 4 |
| 2009 BMW X6 | 10 | 19 |
| 2010 BMW X6 | 9 | 15 |
| 2011 BMW X6 | 11 | 31 |
| 2012 BMW X6 | 7 | 32 |
| 2013 BMW X6 | 5 | 25 |
| 2014 BMW X6 | 3 | 11 |
| 2015 BMW X6 | 1 | 9 |
| 2016 BMW X6 | 1 | 9 |
| 2017 BMW X6 | 2 | 3 |
| 2018 BMW X6 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 BMW X6 | 4 | 5 |
| 2020 BMW X6 | 10 | 9 |
| 2021 BMW X6 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 BMW X6 | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 BMW X6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 BMW X6 | 5 | 9 |
| 2025 BMW X6 | 4 | 1 |
| 2026 BMW X6 | 2 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2012 BMW X6
How do I know if my 2012 BMW X6 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 2012 BMW X6; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V020000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.