2011 BMW X6 Owner Complaints

I returned home from shopping at local store 15 miles away. Arrived home around 11:30pm on June 3. Unloaded groceries and sat down. Around 11:45pm-11:50pm heard yelling from outside that our car was on fire. My husband ran out and and seen flames coming from under hood of car. I called 911 and within a couple mins middle of hood was completely starting to melt and components were spraying fluid and popping pieces of metal and plastic were thrown everywhere. A neighbor proceeded to use 2 fire extinguishers to try to control blaze which did not seem to calm flames. Fire department arrived and sprayed down side of house and back of our other car which was parked In front of our BMW. Do to the extreme heat we could not get into other car to move it as it was parked by closed garage doors. Myself, our 2 daughter's and visiting friend were forced from the house due to concerns that the house might catch fire. We watched as the cars whole front engine area burned completely.During the trip to the store there were no warning signs on vehicle stating anything wrong. The fire marshal did a report on the fire and it was towed to local tow yard. At this time it is available for inspection. Preceding fire since it was unexplained to us we looked into recalls of the BMW and found multiple claims and reports for recall. Looking up VIN on NHSTA' s website VIN came back as "0" unrepaired recalls. We purchased the vehicle from a private dealer who never mentioned if vehicle ever had any recalls or had been fixed. And our search before purchase said there were no recalls on the vehicle. Due to the extreme heat our driveway was burned and our vehicle in front received heat damage to whole back of car. The fire was so intense that the engine area all the way to the back seat is burned. Thank goodness me and my daughter were not driving the vehicle at the time this happened as the engine fire burned quickly. This fire was not caused by arson or any factors under our control.

NHTSA ID

11742337

Incident

Jun 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic stated that the timing chain gears failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The contact stated that the dealer had the part but would not sell it to the contact due to the part being under a recall. The contact referenced BMW recall B110923 as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11579229

Incident

Feb 12, 2024

Mileage

94,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion while leaving a parking lot, the vehicle jerked with a delay while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started overheating. The contact shut off the vehicle and waited for the vehicle to cool down before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11541410

Incident

Aug 29, 2020

Mileage

94,000 mi

While driving the check engine light came on moments later the steering wheel stiffened up then released mid turn when I turn the steering wheel the tires didn’t respond I hit a curb

NHTSA ID

11501177

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

2011 BMW x6m 115k miles the car system was burning smell coming. Smell like electrical problem the system of the car shuts down no power just enough power to pull over off the road. Turned it off and back on it went away. Check engine light and reduced of power keeps coming on. We look into the truck water is leaking into the electrical. Trunk electrical broken. Comfort access not working. This car is really unsafe and its not fix.

NHTSA ID

11443848

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently shift into neutral upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact would restart the vehicle soon after the failure to resume normal driving. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the Vin. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11426519

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

98,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor prior to the vehicle losing motive power. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted approximately an hour later. The contact stated that the fuel pump message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ID

11418909

Incident

May 24, 2021

Mileage

105,000 mi

MY VEHICLE CUT OF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND TRAFFIC. MY ENGINE STARTED SMOKE. I WAS AFRAID FOR MYSELF AND CHILDREN. I HAVE ALWAYS TOOK MY CAR INTO THE BMW OF BLOOMFIELD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE I HAVE NEVER MISS NOT ONE APPOINTMENT. FOR THE LAST 5 TO 6 MONTHS. MY VEHICLE STAYED IN THEIR DEALERSHIP. THE LONGEST WAS APPROXIMATELY 42 DAYS AND ONCE I RECEIVED MY CAR MY ENGINE STARTED SMOKING SO I GIVE THEM BACK MY VEHICLE. I ASKED THEM IF THEY FOUND OUT WHAT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SMOKE LIKE THIS? THERE COULDN'T GIVE ME A STRAIGHT FORWARD ANSWER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE PICKING UP MY VEHICLE THEY ALWAYS LEFT SOMETHING UNPLUGGED CAUSING MY INTERIOR LIGHTS TO GO CRAZY BECAUSE OF THE WIRES BEING NOT PROPERLY FIXED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN SIX MONTHS. I'VE PROBABLY SPENT NO LESS THAN 3,500. ON TOP OF THEM TELLING ME I NEED SOME RUN FLAT TIRES AND ALL THE LIGHTS WILL STOP BECAUSE OF THOSE TIRES. ONLY 5 DAYS LATER MY CAR STALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOOK THE CAR OVER TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP THE CALLED ME TO INFORM ME OF MY ENGINE BEING DOESN'T WORK I ASKED HOW THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW, AND IN THE SAME BREATH THEY SAID THAT IF I WANTED A NEW ENGINE IT WILL COST ME 15,000 NOT INCLUDING TIME AND LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329168

Incident

May 31, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW CLEVELAND (6135 KRUSE DR, SOLON, OH 44139, (440) 542-0600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11281623

Incident

Nov 4, 2019

Mileage

72,000 mi

-ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE BOTH REAR DOORS ALMOST BURNED THE CAR DOWN TWICE. LUCKILY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO FIND WHERE THE SMOKE SMELL WAS COMING FROM IN TIME. 3,000 DOLLAR EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT AND GAVE MANY EXCUSES TO NOT PAY FOR IT. -ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION ISSUE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

11206942

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DROVE OFF AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF LAS VEGAS (6900 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117, (702) 570-0279), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNLESS IT WAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11176331

Incident

Oct 9, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

AFTER IDLING ON A CAR WASH FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES, THE CAR START TO SMOKE. I HAVE TALKED TO 3 MORE OWNERS OF MY SERIES AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A BMW DEFECT AND NOW AM USING EXCESSIVE OIL TOO.

NHTSA ID

11119489

Incident

Jul 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST FORWARD MOMENTUM WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF ALBANY (801 E OGLETHORPE BLVD, ALBANY, GA 31705, (229) 883-2040) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TT

NHTSA ID

11105379

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL LOST TRACTION. THE VIBRATION STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABOVE 5 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11099128

Incident

May 31, 2018

Mileage

88,000 mi

AFTER THE CAR IS BEEN DRIVEN UNDER A SNOW STORM , WHEN THE SNOW IS NOT CLEAR HAVE TO DRIVE TO WRK 1 HOUR AWAY , THE NEXT DAY ONCE ALL SNOW IS CLEAR THE CAR TENDS TO SHAKE VERY BAD , EVERY TIME THE SAME WHEN U HIT 30MPH SHAKES VIOLENTLY LIKE THE CAR IS GONNA BREAK APART. BUT ONCE U TAKE IT INSIDE THE CARWSSH AND WASH IT TENDS TO GO AWAY? I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT? IT'S NOT THE SNOW ON THE TIRES CUZ I CLEAR ALL THAT BEFORE , I LEAVE THE HOUSE THE NEXT DAY.

NHTSA ID

11065228

Incident

Jan 22, 2018

Mileage

64,000 mi

TURBO COOLANT RECALL. THE TURBO COOLANT PUMP IS NOT WORKING WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT NOW CURRENTLY LEAKING FROM THE HOSES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND IF I START TO DRIVE IT, IT STARTS TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE.

NHTSA ID

11022151

Incident

Sep 4, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AS WELL AS A U-TURN, THE VEHICLE SHAKES, AND MOVES UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED AT BMW OF MANHATTAN LOCATED AT 555 W 57TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10019 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V311000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BMW OF MANHATTAN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED TRANSFER CASE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11020614

Incident

Sep 6, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED MY BMW CENTER IN SAVANNAH ABOUT THIS RECALL AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE UP TO MORE THEN YEAR FOR THE PARTS, THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO AND IM YET TO BE CONTACTED. I TRULY DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY VEHICLES!

NHTSA ID

10914304

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

ABOUT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #16V-311, AT THE BEGINNING OF 2015, MY 2011 BMW X6 WITH ONLY 45000 MILES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEELS, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY NEVER FOUND ANY ISSUES, I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE OF WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE DRIVE SHAFT AND RECENTLY A RECALL TO REPLACE IT, THE CAR KEEPS GETTING WORSE EVEN AFTER A NEW DRIVE SHAFT, I HAVE EMAIL BMWUSA BUT NO RESPONSE, I ONLY DRIVE THE CAR WHEN IS NECESSARY BECAUSE I'M ALMOST SURE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK AND MIGHT CAUSE AND ACCIDENT, THE CAR VIBRATES AND MAKES MECHANICAL NOISES MOSTLY WHEN I'M TURNING THE WHEELS AND PRESS ON THE GAS.

NHTSA ID

10904566

Incident

Jul 30, 2016

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE OVER HEATED AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN ERROR MESSAGE "GO TO A BMW CENTER". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID

10899466

Incident

Aug 25, 2016

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND A REDUCED POWER WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID

10873898

Incident

Dec 5, 2015

Mileage

48,000 mi

WHILE IN TRAFFIC DRIVING AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR AT 8A ON DEC 7, 2015 ON GA400 MY 2011 BMW X6 HYBRID REAR GLASS SPARKED WITH FIRE AND SHATTERED. THE SPARKS WERE FOLLOWED BY A VERY LOUD BOOMING NOISE. THE DEFROST CONNECTOR EXPLODED APPARENTLY IN THE REAR WINDOW CAUSING REAR GLASS TO SHATTER. PICTURES ATTACHED. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE WHERE THE EXPLOSION/SPARK OCCURRED AND WHERE THE DAMAGE STARTED. CAR IS AT DEALER NOW AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT IS NOT COVERED. ISSUE IS DEFROST FAILURE. CAR IS UNDER FULL FACTORY WARRANTY. THE TINT MOSTLY HELD THE GLASS IN PLACE. PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. HYBRID BATTERY REPLACED AT 18K MILES. ENGINE ISSUES. BATTERY NODE ISSUES. 43K MILES CURRENTLY. PURCHASED IN 2013 WITH 3K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10809838

Incident

Dec 7, 2015

Mileage

43 mi

ON 10/02/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. SUDDENLY, THERE'S THIS LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. THE ROAD WAS VERY SMOOTH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANY POTHOLES OR ANY ROAD OBJECTS. I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DID A QUICK INSPECTION, DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. SO I GOT BACK ONTO THE CAR AND CONTINUE DRIVING. DURING ACCELERATIONS AND GOING ABOVE 40MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND I STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL BUT MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND ASKED SEVERAL MECHANICS, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT OF THE VEHICLE IS GOING BAD, AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BMW X6. I WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OR ELSE IF THE DRIVE SHAFT HAPPENS TO BREAK ON THE FREEWAY, IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHICH ME AND MY KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ADDITIONALLY, AT 54K MILES, THE VEHICLE'S VALVE STEM SEALS HAS ALREADY GONE BAD, (THEY USUALLY DON'T GO BAD UNTIL 120K MILES) THE ENGINE OIL IS LEAKING TOWARDS COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND BURN OFF THROUGH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE IS EMITTING AN EXTREMELY TOXIC, SULFURIC SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST, YOU CAN SMELL IT FROM FAR AWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. I HAD SEVERAL NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMELL. NOT ONLY THAT THIS IS BAD FOR OUR HEALTH DUE TO THE CANCER-CAUSING CARCINOGEN IT IS ALSO BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. BMW HAS LONG ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A "CUSTOMER CARE PACKAGE" WHICH THEY REFUSED TO CALL IT A RECALL. IN FACT, THEY REPLACED MANY DIFFERENT COMPONENTS ON MY VEHICLE, BUT THE CUSTOMER CARE PACKAGE DID NOT FIX THE TOXIC, SULFURIC SMELL FROM THE EXHAUST. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT FALSELY ADVERTISE AND SOLD US AN UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR NEARLY $85,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10779594

Incident

Oct 2, 2015

Mileage

56,002 mi

BROKEN FRONT DRIVE SHAFT; COMMON PROBLEM WITH X5 FROM THE SAME ERA WHICH WAS RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10671058

Incident

Jan 2, 2015

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

10667132

Incident

Dec 4, 2014

Mileage

75,000 mi