2012 BMW X6 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

47

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes

7

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

7

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2012 BMW X6

The 2012 BMW X6 has received a total of 47 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (15 complaints), Power Train (9 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 2012 BMW X6

NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2012 BMW X6, potentially affecting up to 455,268 vehicles.

Recall 20V016000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 4,007 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 contact BMW customer...

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Recall 20V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 59,965 vehicles affected

Defect: 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, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 contact...

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Recall 19V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 83,016 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact BMW...

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Recall 18V248000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

| 47,806 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW...

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of...

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Recall 18V248000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

| 47,806 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW...

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of...

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Recall 18V030000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 41,808 vehicles affected

Defect: 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, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan),...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 2018. Owners may...

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Recall 17V020000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 48,951 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or...

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 were mailed March 2017....

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Recall 17V138000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

| 121,909 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 joint's failure.

Consequence: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

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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Owner Complaints for the 2012 BMW X6

47 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 BMW X6. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11588636 | POWER TRAIN | | 170,000 miles
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.
#11521696 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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 car was perfectly fine since I’ve had it. Never experienced this issue before.
#11521696 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
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 car was perfectly fine since I’ve had it. Never experienced this issue before.
#11516854 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the engine malfunction warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a fuel injector malfunction. The contact was then referred to the BMW dealer; however, the dealer informed him that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
#11475095 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Vehicle shifts into neutral while driving and then cuts off.

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Safety Rating for the 2012 BMW X6

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 BMW X6 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 BMW X6

BMW of North America, LLC has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 BMW X6. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

B065825 — VISIBILITY/WIPER

Rear Glass Return

B340716 — PARKING BRAKE

"PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. Parking brake (EMF) sporadically or permanently fails to engage. Check Control Message (CCM) ""Parking brake failed"" is displayed. One or more of the following fault codes are stored in the EMF control unit: o 0x6023 - PER_POWER_ SUPPLY o 0x600E - ECU_RELAY_MOSFET o 0x6011 -...

B270315 — POWER TRAIN

Vibration or Shudder from Driveline when Accelerating from a Stop. Chassis stabilization warning is displayed. Vehicle may exhibit a shudder or vibration when taking off from a stop. One or more of the following fault codes may be stored: LMV ? 440101 - Transfer box (VTG): End of transmission service...

320313 — SUSPENSION

Steering Column Automatic Adjustment Is Inoperative. The steering column automatic adjustment, when leaving and entering the vehicle, is inoperative. The steering column manual adjustment works properly. CAUSE CAS (Car Access System) error: Electric steering column adjustment is not initialized. No faults codes are stored in the system.

SIB-12-08-13 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

BMW: WHILE ON HILLS, ENGINE RESPONSE MAY NOT BE FULFILLED, WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND IF AUTO HOLD FUNCTION IS ACTIVATED. MODELS 2010-2013 E70, E71. *PE

120813 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"Service Action: Program Control Units (Auto Hold Response). Based on the accelerator pedal request, the engine's response may not be fulfilled on hills if the ""Auto hold"" function is activated. CAUSE DME software error"

631009 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

INFORMATION Note: Failures that result from the installation of non-approved accessories and/or non-original parts are not covered. Procedure A with Reprogramming and Encoding the Vehicle Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty or the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program. Labor operation code 00 00 006 is a...

NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 BMW X6

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the BMW X6

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Other BMW Models

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