What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW X6?

Engine is the largest complaint group with 15 of 32 complaints on file, followed by power train with 9. In the sample we read, owners describe stalling or lost power, and some describe transfer case or driveshaft failures.

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW X6 have?

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year. Six involve air bag inflators.

What is the gas mileage of a 2012 BMW X6?

EPA rates the xDrive35i at 19 combined MPG, the xDrive50i at 16 and the xDriveM at 14.

Is 2012 a good year for the BMW X6?

It ties 2011 for the most complaints, at 32 each. Later years such as 2014 have fewer, at 11.

How much horsepower does the 2012 BMW X6 have?

EPA lists 300 hp for the 3.0L six-cylinder and 400 to 555 hp for the 4.4L eight-cylinder, depending on version.

2012 BMW X6 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2012 BMW X6^[1], and the model year has 10 recalls, six of them for air bag inflators^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]. Check every recall against the exact car before you buy or keep one.

32owner complaints^[1]

10recalls^[2]

14–19MPG combined (EPA)^[9]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about this model year^[1]. Two mention a crash. None mention a fire, an injury or a death^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below add up to more than 32^[10]^[11].

Component group	Complaints
Engine^[10]	15
Power train^[11]	9
Fuel/propulsion system^[12]	6
Electrical system^[13]	5
Steering^[14]	3
Structure^[15]	2
Air bags^[16]	2
Unknown or other^[17]	2

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. It is too small to say how common any problem is, but it shows what owners describe.

Engine. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the engine going into reduced power or stalling while driving, sometimes with warning lights. Some describe coolant, turbo or water pump trouble. The median mileage at failure in this group is 69,950^[10].
Fuel system. Some complaints in the sample describe a fuel pump or fuel injector problem followed by stalling or a loss of power^[12].
Power train. Some complaints in the sample describe a failed transfer case or a front driveshaft joint. One describes recall parts that were not yet available. The median mileage at failure in this group is 90,000^[11].
Electrical. The sample here is mixed. One owner describes a battery that kept discharging, and another a key that opened the hatch by accident^[13].

Crash mentions appear in the electrical group (1) and the structure group (2)^[13]^[15]. One complaint can be counted in more than one group.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year^[2]. Newest first:

Passenger air bag inflator (20V016). January 15, 2020^[3]. Replacement inflators installed in an earlier Takata repair can degrade with heat and humidity and explode. Metal fragments could seriously injure or kill. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers replace the passenger air bag free of charge^[3].
Driver air bag inflator (20V017). January 15, 2020^[4]. Same interim-inflator problem on the driver side, with the same risk. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge^[4].
Passenger air bag module (19V017). January 14, 2019^[5]. The inflator can explode in a crash because of long-term humidity and temperature cycling. Metal fragments could seriously injure or kill. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers replace the module free of charge^[5].
Auxiliary water pump (18V248). April 18, 2018^[18]. Covers the X6 xDrive50i and X6 M^[18]. The electric auxiliary water pump can fail and overheat its circuit board, which raises the risk of a fire. BMW's notice said parts were limited and that owners would get a second notice when remedy parts became available. It recommends parking outdoors until the repair is done^[18].
Passenger air bag module (18V030). January 9, 2018^[6]. Same inflator problem as 19V017, listed by registration zones. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers replace the module free of charge^[6].
Front driveshaft (17V138). March 2, 2017^[19]. Water and debris can get into the front driveshaft's universal joint and wear it out. If it fails, the front wheels would not be driven, which affects traction and may raise the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the front driveshaft free of charge^[19].
Passenger air bag inflator (17V020). January 10, 2017^[7]. The inflator can rupture in a crash. Metal fragments could seriously injure or kill. Owners are advised not to drive until the repair is done. BMW said owners would get a second notice when remedy parts became available^[7].
Driver air bag inflator (16V071). February 5, 2016^[8]. Excess internal pressure can make the driver inflator rupture. Metal fragments could seriously injure or kill. Dealers replace the module or the inflator free of charge^[8].
Engine VANOS bolts (14V176). April 10, 2014^[20]. Covers the X6 xDrive 35i^[20]. Bolts that hold the camshaft timing unit housing can loosen or break. The engine may lose power or stall, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the bolts free of charge^[20].
Auxiliary water pump circuit board (12V161). April 10, 2012^[21]. The pump's circuit board can overheat, which could lead to smoldering or an engine compartment or vehicle fire. Dealers replace the pump free of charge^[21].

The recall notices name specific models and versions, so confirm with BMW or NHTSA that each one applies to the car you are looking at.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the three versions it lists:

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
X6 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8)^[9]	16 / 23 / 19	$4,350
X6 xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8)^[22]	14 / 20 / 16	$5,150
X6 xDriveM, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6)^[23]	12 / 17 / 14	$5,850

All three use premium fuel and all-wheel drive. EPA's estimated annual fuel cost is shown for each version^[9]^[22]^[23].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 3.0L six-cylinder rated at 300 hp^[24] and a 4.4L eight-cylinder rated at 400 to 555 hp depending on version^[25].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications^[26].

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
X6 xDrive 35i^[26]	193 in	78 in	67 in	115 in	4,894 lb
X6 xDrive 50i^[27]	193 in	78 in	67 in	115 in	5,269 lb
X6M^[28]	193 in	78 in	67 in	115 in	5,324 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each X6 model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[2].

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

The 2012 X6 ties 2011 for the most complaints on file, 32 each^[2]. The 2013 model year has 26 complaints and the 2009 model year has 22^[2].

For recalls, 2011 has 13 and 2009 has 11^[2]. The 2012 model year has 10, the same as 2010 and 2020^[2]. Later years have fewer complaints: 11 for 2014 and 9 each for 2015 and 2016^[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Should you buy a used 2012 X6?

The complaint count is among the highest of any X6 year, and the engine group is the largest^[2]^[10]. The sample of complaints we read includes stalling and loss of power, so ask for a full service history. The recall list is long, and four of the air bag recalls tell owners not to drive until the repair is done^[3]^[5]^[6]^[7], so ask for proof that each recall was completed and that no repair is still waiting on parts. The eight-cylinder versions cost $5,150 and $5,850 a year in fuel at EPA's price assumptions^[22]^[23], against $4,350 for the six-cylinder^[9]. Our data does not cover oil capacity, towing or reliability ratings.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW X6?: Engine is the largest complaint group with 15 of 32 complaints on file, followed by power train with 9^[1]^[10]^[11]. In the sample we read, owners describe stalling or lost power, and some describe transfer case or driveshaft failures^[10]^[11].
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW X6 have?: NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year^[2]. Six involve air bag inflators^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8].
What is the gas mileage of a 2012 BMW X6?: EPA rates the xDrive35i at 19 combined MPG, the xDrive50i at 16 and the xDriveM at 14^[9]^[22]^[23].
Is 2012 a good year for the BMW X6?: It ties 2011 for the most complaints, at 32 each^[2]. Later years such as 2014 have fewer, at 11^[2].
How much horsepower does the 2012 BMW X6 have?: EPA lists 300 hp for the 3.0L six-cylinder and 400 to 555 hp for the 4.4L eight-cylinder, depending on version^[24]^[25].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2012 BMW X6 (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V016, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V017, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver 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 17V020, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V071, filed February 5, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver 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
15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,950). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the structure component group (2 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
2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 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 14V176, filed April 10, 2014: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V161, filed April 10, 2012: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo / Supercharger. 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, 2012 BMW X6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 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 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 5,324 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 BMW X6: problems, recalls and fuel economy