RoadVitals

2016 BMW X6 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
9
Latest Oct 29, 2025
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Mar 21, 2017

What this page shows

Our database holds 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 BMW X6. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–9 of 9

Steering
Filed Oct 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The vehicle was parked inside the garage, and the contact was unable to turn to the right or the left. The message "Power Steering Lock" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that a mobile mechanic inspected the vehicle and used a personal OBD scanner to retrieve a fault code for the electronic power steering (EPS) not communicating as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V704000 (STEERING). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ID
11696408
Incident
Oct 22, 2025
Mileage
52,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 30, 2025

I am reaching out regarding a serious issue with my 2016 BMW X6 M, which suffered a driveshaft failure. I understand that certain BMW models were recalled for similar issues, but my vehicle was not included. Given the severity of the damage and the number of similar complaints online, I believe this issue warrants further review. Recently, while driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden failure, requiring it to be towed to a repair shop. There were no warnings or indications that anything was wrong. Upon inspection, the mechanics determined that the driveshaft had come loose, causing extensive damage to the undercarriage and transmission. Due to the severity of the issue, which literally renders my car as a complete loss due to a repair bill over $35,000. I am reaching out to you for assistance. I also contacted BMW's customer relations line which followed a standard script indicating that there were no recalls and no acceptance of any responsibility.

NHTSA ID
11657880
Incident
Mar 20, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a misfire in cylinder number #5, and the water pump had failed due to a ground short circuit failure. The contact replaced the spark plugs and recharged the battery, and the check engine warning light was reset; however, the vehicle scanner continued to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes indicating the water pump failure due to the short circuit of the electrical ground. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11637573
Incident
Jan 8, 2025
Mileage
130,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local mechanic who informed the contact that the driveshaft had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11575842
Incident
Mar 3, 2024
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to use the turn signal while making a right turn however, the system failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Instrument panel failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was concerned that the instrument panel could fail to display safety warnings. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the dealer. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. The consumer stated after replacing the instrument cluster, the dash dims and brightens for no reason. And dims when no sunlight is shining on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11509276
Incident
Feb 25, 2023
Mileage
34,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 14, 2022

I was driving down the street and the drive shaft broke and when that broke it hit my exhaust and broke my transmission cooler

NHTSA ID
11451818
Incident
Feb 7, 2022
Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 2021
1 injury reported

ON MANY BMW CARS YOU WILL SEE REPORTS OF THE AIR SUSPENSION FAILING. MINE FAILED DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT WITH LESS MILES THAN IN THE WARRANTY. STILL A LOW 4 FIGURE COST TO THE CONSUMER TO FIX. THIS SHOULD FIXED VIA A RECALL AND CONSUMERS REIMBURSED FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED. THIS PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF BMW OWNERS. IT CAUSES A LESS THAN SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE OR AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE. MY HEAD AND NECK WERE INJURED WHILE GOING 20MPH

NHTSA ID
11399512
Incident
Feb 10, 2021
Mileage
48,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 28, 2019

'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 BMW X6 XDRIVE 50I ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A HITTING SOUND UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND I REALIZED FRONT DRIVESHAFT HAD BROKEN OFF. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND MOVING SLOW THIS ALLOWED ME TO PULL OVER SAFELY.

NHTSA ID
11251904
Incident
Aug 27, 2019
Mileage
10 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2017

STEERING TURN ALL THE WAY TO LEFT SHAKES AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
10967613
Incident
Mar 19, 2017
Mileage
6,000 mi

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .