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2011 BMW X6: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2011 BMW X6[1], and 13 recalls for this model year, the most of any X6 year in our data[2]. Engine complaints are the largest group[3], and several air bag recalls tell owners not to drive until the repair is done[4][5][6][7].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 X6[1]. None mention a crash. Three mention a fire and two mention an injury[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.
- Engine: 18 complaints. Two mention a fire and two an injury[3]. The median mileage at failure is 64,001[3]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe overheating, coolant leaks or a failed water pump, stalling or a loss of power while driving, and turbo trouble[3].
- Power train: 10 complaints. One mentions a fire[9]. The median mileage at failure is 55,000[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe vibration or a front driveshaft problem[9].
- Electrical system: 4 complaints. One mentions a fire[10]. In the sample we read, owners describe a burning smell, smoke or sparks[10].
- Smaller groups. Fuel/propulsion system has 3 complaints[11], fuel system (gasoline) has 3[12], suspension has 3[13], and air bags have 2[14]. Another 3 name an unknown or other group[15].
The samples are small and some texts repeat across groups, so read these themes as examples of what owners describe, not as a ranking of failure rates. Several of them match recalls listed below, such as the water pump and the front driveshaft[16][17].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2011 X6[2]. Several cover only certain versions or build dates, so check your VIN with BMW or NHTSA. Newest first:
- Passenger air bag inflator (20V016). Jan 2020. Inflators fitted as temporary replacement parts in earlier Takata recalls may explode when their propellant degrades after years of humidity and heat. Flying metal could seriously injure or kill. Owners are told not to drive until the passenger air bag is replaced for free. The recall began March 11, 2020[4].
- Driver air bag inflator (20V017). Jan 2020. Same interim inflator problem on the driver side, with the same risk of serious injury or death. Dealers replace the inflator on X5 and X6 vehicles at no cost[18]. The recall began March 11, 2020[18].
- Passenger air bag inflator (19V017). Jan 2019. Inflators in the passenger air bag may explode in a crash, with the same injury risk. Owners are told not to drive until the module is replaced for free. The recall began March 14, 2019[5].
- Auxiliary water pump (18V248). April 2018. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and overheat its circuit board, which raises the risk of fire. The fix is a new pump. Parts were limited when the recall was announced and owners were to get a second notice when parts became available. BMW recommends parking outdoors until the repair is done[16].
- Passenger air bag inflator (18V030). Jan 2018. Passenger air bag inflators in vehicles registered in a listed set of states and territories may explode, with a risk of serious injury or death. Owners are told not to drive until the module is replaced for free. The recall was expected to begin in March 2018[6].
- Front driveshaft (17V138). March 2017. Water and debris can work their way into a joint on the front driveshaft and wear it out. If the joint fails, the front wheels stop being driven, which hurts traction and may raise crash risk. Dealers replace the front driveshaft for free. The recall began April 18, 2017[17].
- Fuel pump (16V746). Oct 2016. Loose wire contacts in the in-tank fuel pump may melt the connector and cause a fuel leak. The pump may also stop and stall the engine, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the fuel pump module for free. The recall began in February 2017[19].
- Passenger air bag inflator (16V364). May 2016. Inflators in vehicles sold or registered in a listed set of states and territories may rupture and throw metal fragments. Owners are told not to drive until repaired. Dealers replace the inflator or module for free. The recall began July 28, 2017[7].
- Front driveshaft (16V311). May 2016. The same universal joint problem as 17V138, for 2011 vehicles built from April 5 to November 20, 2010 on the xDrive35i, xDrive50i and M versions[20]. Dealers replace the front driveshaft for free. The recall began July 8, 2016[20].
- Driver air bag inflator (16V071). Feb 2016. The driver air bag inflator could rupture in a crash and throw metal fragments, with a risk of serious injury or death. Dealers replace the module or the inflator for free. The recall began March 9, 2018[21].
- Engine VANOS bolts (14V176). April 2014. Bolts holding the housing of the variable camshaft timing unit can loosen over time and may break. The engine may lose power or stall, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the bolts for both units for free. The recall began September 24, 2014[22].
- Auxiliary water pump (11V521). Oct 2011. The circuit board of the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat, which could lead to a smoldering pump or a fire. Dealers replace the pump for free. The recall began December 19, 2011[23].
- Tire label (10V233). June 2010. Some vehicles built from April 1 to May 8, 2010 had a tire label that listed 19-inch wheels and the wrong tire pressure for the 20-inch wheels actually fitted[24]. Wrong pressure can cause tire failure or poor handling. BMW provides the correct label for free. The recall began October 8, 2010[24].
Fuel economy
EPA lists three ratings for the 2011 X6[8][25][26]. All use premium fuel and all-wheel drive. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Engine and size
EPA lists the 3.0L 6-cylinder at 300 hp[27]. The 4.4L 8-cylinder is rated 400 to 555 hp depending on version[28].
Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. The listed versions share the same size: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in and wheelbase 115 in[29][30][31][32].
Our data lists the ActiveHybrid with the same dimensions but no curb weight[29].
How 2011 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 9 |
| 2009 | 22 | 11 |
| 2010 | 19 | 10 |
| 2011 | 32 | 13 |
| 2012 | 32 | 10 |
| 2013 | 26 | 6 |
| 2014 | 11 | 4 |
| 2015 | 9 | 1 |
| 2016 | 9 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 | 4 |
| 2020 | 9 | 10 |
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA counts 32 complaints and 13 recalls for 2011[2]. The 2012 X6 also has 32 complaints, with 10 recalls[2]. The 2009 model has 22 complaints and 11 recalls, 2010 has 19 and 10, and 2013 has 26 and 6[2]. Among the listed model years, 2011 ties 2012 for the most complaints and has the most recalls[2].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports cluster for this model rather than a failure rate.
Should you buy a used 2011 X6?
The record is heavy, with 32 complaints and 13 recalls, and engine the largest complaint group[1][3][2]. Several recalls involve fire risk, stalling or air bag inflators, and four of the inflator recalls tell owners not to drive until the repair is done[4][5][6][7].
If you are considering one, check the VIN for open recalls first and ask for proof that the air bag, water pump and driveshaft recalls were completed. Our data cannot tell you repair costs or how any single car has been kept, so a pre-purchase inspection matters.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X6?
- Engine is the largest complaint group with 18 of 32 NHTSA complaints[1][3]. In the sample we read, owners describe overheating or water pump trouble, stalling and turbo problems[3]. Power train has 10 complaints[9].
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X6 have?
- NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2011 X6[2]. They cover air bag inflators, the auxiliary water pump, the front driveshaft, the fuel pump, engine bolts and a tire label[4][16][17][19][22][24].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2011 BMW X6?
- EPA rates the xDrive35i at 19 combined MPG[8], the xDrive50i at 16[25] and the xDriveM at 14[26].
- Is the 2011 BMW X6 a good year compared with others?
- It has the most recalls of any listed X6 year, 13, and ties 2012 for the most complaints, 32[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2011 BMW X6 (0 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,001). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V016, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V017, filed January 14, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V030, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V364, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X6 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 10 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 18V248, filed April 18, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V138, filed March 2, 2017: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V017, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V746, filed October 17, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V311, filed May 17, 2016: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V071, filed February 5, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V176, filed April 10, 2014: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V521, filed October 20, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V233, filed June 2, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X6 xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for X6 xDriveM, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2011 BMW X6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2011 BMW X6 with 4.4L 8-cylinder: rated 400 to 555 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6 ActiveHybrid 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6 xDRIVE 35i 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,894 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6 xDRIVE 50i 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 5,269 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6M 4DR SUV AWD: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 5,368 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov