RoadVitals

2007 BMW 6 Series

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Apr 5, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 26, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 BMW 6 Series, most frequently naming the electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 29 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical266.7%
  • Engine133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12V126000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Mar 26, 2012
367,682 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
10V446000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Oct 1, 2010
198,352 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
The risk: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
07V178000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Apr 25, 2007
225 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A SENSING SYSTEM TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THIS SENSING IS PROGRAMMED TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A SMALL ADULT OR CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS. PLACING CERTAIN CHILD SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DESIGNED TO RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG.
The risk: IN SOME CASES, THE SENSING SYSTEM MAY MISINTERPRET A PROPERLY SEATED SMALL ADULT AS ONE OF THESE SPECIFIC CHILD SEATS, RESULTING IN DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THE AIR BAG MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE ADULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Apr 5, 2007

ALL NEW BMW CARS SPEEDOMETER IS IN ERROR. BMW IS ADMITTING TO THIS ISSUE. PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION LETTER FROM BMW STATING AND DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM. GROUP 62 INSTRUMENTS B 62 02 96 WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ PRODUCT ENGINEERING MAY 1996 SUBJECT: MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SPEEDOMETER ERROR MODELS: ALL GENERAL INFORMATION: A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF "SPEEDOMETER ADVANCE" IS NECESSARY TO COMPENSATE FOR NEGATIVE TOLERANCES IN TIRE DIAMETER, ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, AND OTHER FACTORS. THIS ADVANCE REDUCES THE RISK OF THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYING A SPEED THAT IS LESS THAN THE VEHICLE'S ACTUAL SPEED. THE AMOUNT OF SPEEDOMETER ADVANCE CAN BE CALCULATED BY INPUTTING A FREQUENCY (USING THE DIS TESTER, "KOMBI TEST SCHEDULE") THAT CORRESPONDS TO A GIVEN SPEED AND NOTING THE SPEED THAT IS INDICATED BY THE SPEEDOMETER. THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED SPEEDOMETER ADVANCE IS 10% OF THE ACTUAL (INPUT) SPEED PLUS 2.4 MPH. EXAMPLE: ACTUAL SPEED = 50 MPH 50 MPH X 10% = 5 MPH; 5 MPH + 2.4 MPH = 7.4 MPH THEREFORE, THE PERMISSIBLE DISPLAYED SPEED IS 50 TO 57.4 MPH. (NOTE: THE DISPLAYED SPEED MUST NEVER BE LESS THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED). NO REPAIRS SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED IF THE SPEEDOMETER ADVANCE IS WITHIN 10% + 2.4 MPH. NOTE: THE AMOUNT OF SPEEDOMETER ADVANCE HAS NO EFFECT ON RECORDING OF ACCUMULATED MILEAGE IN THE ODOMETER DISPLAY. THE ODOMETER RECORDS TOTAL MILEAGE DIGITALLY AND DOES NOT INCORPORATE ANY "ADVANCE" TOLERANCES. WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10187131
Incident
Apr 4, 2007
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 28, 2007

THE 2007 BMW 328XI COUPE'S "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME, AND THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK (NO MANUAL DIPSTICK IN THIS CAR) OFTEN REPORTS AN INCORRECT READING OF "ADD ENGINE OIL". THESE PROBLEMS ARE DANGEROUS AS THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAN INDICATE ANY OF A WEALTH OF DANGEROUS FAULTS, AND ADDING ENGINE OIL WHEN THE ENGINE IS FULL CAN CREATE A HAZARD OF SPLASHING AND/OR BURNING OF THE SKIN. IT SEEMS THAT THE ENGINE OIL IS ALMOST ALWAYS FULL DESPITE THE WARNING. NEVERTHELESS IT IS REASONABLE FOR AN OWNER TO WRONGFULLY ADD OIL AND THEREBY INJURE HIMSELF AS THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS INDICATE THAT ONE QUART OF OIL MAY NEED TO BE ADDED EVERY 750 MILES. MY CONVERSATIONS WITH BMW OWNERS IN SIMILAR POSITIONS INDICATE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED BUT RATHER IS AN EPIDEMIC. WHEN THE CAR IS BROUGHT INTO THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL THEY DO IS CHANGE THE OIL AND RESET THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE BMW TECHNICIAN THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS IN THIS MODEL, BUT THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS ONLY AUTHORIZED TO TAKE THESE MEASURES AND NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM(S) REAPPEAR IN PART OR IN WHOLE A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS RECURRENCE IS ALSO NOT AN ISOLATED CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT RATHER BORNE BY MANY OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. NOT ONLY DOES THIS DEFECT RENDER THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS, IT ALSO SEVERELY LIMITS THE CONSUMER'S (MYSELF INCLUDED) USE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10183778
Incident
Feb 16, 2007
Mileage
4,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

SIB-12-14-12

ENGINE

BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE

SIB-61-13-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB

SIB-11-03-08

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

BMW: CRANKCASE PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS AND INFORMATION FOR ALL VEHICLES. *RM UPDATED ON 4/24/2013. *KB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 6 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012211—
2011000—
2010020—
2009020—
2008620—
2007Viewing230—
2006551—
2005740—
2004350—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—
1996000—
1995000—
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—
1991000—
1990000—
1989000—
1988000—
1987000—
1986000—
1985000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.