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2009 BMW X6 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
19
Latest Jul 20, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 BMW X6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1043.5%
  • Airbags313.0%
  • Fuel system313.0%
  • Electrical14.3%
  • Brakes14.3%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%
  • Interior & seats14.3%
  • Exterior lighting14.3%
  • Suspension14.3%
  • Driver assistance14.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING HOME I LOST POWER IN MY ENGINE MY RADIATOR FAN WAS EXTREMELY HIGH THE GATE IS GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD AND MY OBD GOT BURN OUT

NHTSA ID 11340301 · filed Jul 20, 2020

I TOOK MY 2009 BMW X6 TO THE BMW DEALER, ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN (HOUSTON, TEXAS) FOR SUSPECTED OIL LEAK AND EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH EXHAUST PIPES. I REQUESTED MULTI-POINT INSPECTION INCLUDING THE ENGINE. THE COMPLETE MULTI-POINT INSPECTION RESULTS ALONG WITH FINDINGS AND AN ESTIMATE CAN BE FOUND IN THE ATTACHED REPORT. WHICH INCLUDE: REPLACE VALVE SEALS, OIL RETURN COVER AND REAR MAIN SEAL (VALVE SEAL LEAKING AND MULTIPLE OIL LEAKS) REPLACE UPPER OIL PAN GASKET (UPPER OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING) REPLACE BULKHEAD COVERS (BULKHEAD COVERS COMING APART) REPLACE BOTH POST CAT O2 SENSORS (FAULTS STORED FOR POST-CAT O2 SENSORS) SPOKE WITH/COMMUNICATED WITH BMW SERVICE ADVISOR REP, BMW MIDTOWN (HOUSTON, TEXAS) REGARDING N63 ENGINE: VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT " MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS' LOCATED IN THE NHTSA WEBSITE: COMPONENTS: ENGINE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10149960 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: B110815 MY CAR LISTESTED UNDER THIS CATAGOLRY AND ALL OTHER N63 ENGINE PROBLEMS (CASES). BMW SERVICE ADVISOR REP SAID ALREADY COMMUNICATE WITH BMW USA AND THE THEY TOLD HIM IM NOT QUALIFIED SINCE MY CAR IS 2009 OVER 10 OLD. NEXT MORNING, I CALLED BMW RECALL HOTLINE AT (800) 525-7417 AND THE EXCUTIVE OFFICES THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. MY CAR HAS 58243 MILES. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID 11338140 · filed Jul 8, 2020
All 10 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID 11044196 · filed Nov 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V364000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10979334 · filed Apr 19, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 10979834 · filed Apr 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, FUEL FUMES AND SMOKE WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID 10938613 · filed Dec 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, FUEL FUMES AND SMOKE WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID 10938613 · filed Dec 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING HOME I LOST POWER IN MY ENGINE MY RADIATOR FAN WAS EXTREMELY HIGH THE GATE IS GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD AND MY OBD GOT BURN OUT

NHTSA ID 11340301 · filed Jul 20, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A BMWX6 2009 AND UNDER 30,000 MILES I HAVE TO CHANGE TIRES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE OWNER MANUAL INDICATED THAT TIRES NEEDS REPLACEMENT AFTER 6 YEARS THE MOST. THE TIRES THREADS UNDER 30,000 ARE UNDER SPEC. AND RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THEM BY BMW SERVICE CENTER. I REPLACE THEM AND I FOUND OUT THAT MICHELIN IS NOT GIVEN A WARRANTY FOR TIRES INSTALLED ON BMWX6 2009 EVEN THAT ON THE OWNER MANUAL IS A STATEMENT THAT THE TIRES ARE WARRANTED BY THEIR MANUFACTURER. WHY A BRAND NEW CAR IS SOLD WITH TIRES WHICH ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY? NOT TAKING A CHANCE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT I REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AT MY COST OF OVER $1700 AND BMW IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE TIRES ARE WEARING OUT TOO SOON AND TO INFORM ALL THE OWNERS OF A POTENTIAL DANGER DRIVING THE CAR WITH TIRES WHICH ARE NOT EVEN WARRANTED BY THEIR MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10496306 · filed Feb 4, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN: I HAVE REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT MY 2009 BMW X6 DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE 49CFR 571.225 STANDARD. IN PARTICULAR, BY CAREFULLY REVIEWING THE STANDARD, I MAINTAIN THAT THE LOWER ANCHORAGES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ORIENTATION, AND ACCESSIBILITY, AND I SUSPECT THAT ADDITIONAL FEATURES ARE NOT COMPLIANT WITH THE SAME STANDARD. I SUSPECT THAT THIS MATTER IS NOT RELATIVE TO A PRODUCTION MALFUNCTION FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE, BUT IS A DESIGN FLAW OF THE CAR MODEL. I HAVE ALSO A SERIES OF RELEVANT CONCERNS REGARDING THE LACKADAISICAL AND NEGLIGENT ATTITUDE OF BMW IN ADDRESSING SUCH SERIOUS CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10326628 · filed Apr 20, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENSES PREMATURELY DETERIORATED AND WERE CRACKED TO THE POINT THAT THE LENSES COULD FRACTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SOLUTION WAS MELTING THE SEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES CANNOT BE REPLACED. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT THE COST IS $4,500.00 TO FIX. CONTACT'S CONCERN IS MOISTURE WILL GET IN THE HEAD LIGHTS AND CAUSE COMPLETE FAILURE AT NIGHT AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. 4/13/18*JB *JB

NHTSA ID 10777090 · filed Sep 25, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID 10615724 · filed Jul 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VANOS CAMSHAFT FAULT. FC 2A82 AND FC 2A87. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 25MPH THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT COMES ON. I STOP TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT THE LIGHT IS NOW OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR 10MINS THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER I'M STEPPING ON THE GAS AND THE CAR IS NOT GOING THIS HAS HAPPENED NEARLY EACH TIME I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR LATELY. I TAKE THE CAR TO A SHOP SPENDING ALMOST $1000 TO TELL ME THE VANOS OR CAMSHAFT ITSELF IS THE PROBLEM THIS REPAIR IS CLOSE TO $4000. I SEE THAT THIS IS BINDER RECALL FOR 2010 TO 2014 MODELS I'M THINKING YOU JUST FORGOT US. HELP THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID 11097883 · filed May 25, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .