2015-2019 BMW X6 Reliability Score: 9.2 out of 10

30 NHTSA Complaints

7 Recalls

3 Fire Reports

2 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.2 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar midsize SUVs

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 11 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 48.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall11 complaints against about 48 for similar vehicles

9.2

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced1 complaints against about 12 for similar vehicles

9.7

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

By model year

20159.1
20169.3
20179.5
20189.4
20199.3

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

3.0L 6-cyl turbo 9.3/10

No clear difference from the 4.4L 8-cyl (turbo and non-turbo together). (6 powertrain complaints, about 25,000 built)

4.4L 8-cyl (turbo and non-turbo together) 8.0/10

No clear difference from the 3.0L 6-cyl turbo. (5 powertrain complaints, about 7,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. These are powertrain complaints only, so they are fewer than the engine-code counts further down, which take complaints of every kind. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

3.0-I6-Gas

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo / 300 hp

17 complaints 3.4 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

other

brakes

cooling

electrical

N63B44

4.4L 8-cyl Turbo / 567 hp

11 complaints 3.7 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

transmission

electrical

fuel system

brakes

Same engine used in

BMW X5 (2014-2018)BMW X5 (2007-2013)BMW 5 Series (2011-2016)BMW 5 Series (2004-2010)BMW X6 (2008-2014)BMW 7 Series (2009-2015)

+2 more

BMW 7 Series (2016-2022)BMW 6 Series (2012-2018)

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

BMW X6 Unidentified Engine

2 complaints 1.0 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

wheels tires

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the BMW X6, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 8 owner complaints

Transmission: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (7)

19V823000Nov 18, 2019serious

Child Seat

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower anchor bars may become damaged over time when used with an ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.

19V684000Sep 27, 2019serious

Back Over Prevention

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

18V680000Sep 28, 2018serious

Suspension

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles. The rear upper control arm pivot bolts may have been improperly hardened, possibly causing the rear upper control arms to break.

18V614000Sep 12, 2018serious

Wheels

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles. The wheel bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.

18V439000Jun 28, 2018serious

Suspension

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break.

Show 2 older recalls

17V727000Nov 17, 2017serious

Suspension

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.

17V327000May 18, 2017cosmetic

Equipment

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with 21-inch tires, however the Tire Information Label states that the vehicles are equipped with 20-inch tires. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

All Generations

E712008-2014 F162015-2019 G062020-2025

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Lexus

2010-2023

9.8/10

2 engines / 185 complaints

5 engines / 977 complaints

3 engines / 40 complaints

Lexus

2010-2015

9.7/10

4 engines / 494 complaints

Lexus

2016-2022

9.6/10

3 engines / 476 complaints

3 engines / 450 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2019 BMW X6 complaints?

Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2019 BMW X6. The systems they name most often are the engine, the transmission and the brakes.

Is the 2015-2019 BMW X6 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2019 BMW X6. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2019 BMW X6 have?

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2015-2019 BMW X6 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2015-2019 BMW X6?

NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2015-2019 BMW X6 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used BMW X6?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the transmission and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the X6 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2015-2019 BMW X6. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 30 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.