2013 Bmw X6 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (8) · Power Train (6) · Engine (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X6 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (5)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-14 · campaign 19V017000 · 83,016 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passeng
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V030000 · 41,808 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2017-03-02 · campaign 17V138000 · 121,909 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Steering 2012-06-13 · campaign 12V267000 · 2,642 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND 2013 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES. DUE TO A MACHINING ERROR OF THE STEERING GEAR SURFACE, POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK.
Risk: LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO HOT EXHAUST PARTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (217)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-21 · B611025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programmingprocedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beams
Electrical System 2026-05-06 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Engine 2025-03-27 · B110614 · Service Campaign
this bulletin outlines the customer care package program that has been designed exclusively for bmwvehicles with the n63 engine. vehicles with the n63 high performance engine are engineered with efficientdynamics that provides fueleconomy without compromising on its “class leading” power and perform
Electrical System 2025-03-13 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2025-02-20 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Showing the 6 most recent of 217 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-07-01 · Engine“while driving on the highway, the warning “engine power reduced” came on and the car just started slowing to a complete stop. smoke started coming from the engine and the rear, then came to a complete stop and has not started again. was towed from the highway to a safe location and i was told by mechanic that it was leaking all engine oil and power…”
2023-11-14 · Power Train · 67,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. the contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph and ascending an incline, the vehicle started to lose forward momentum and was vibrating. the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. the contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the front …”
2021-02-11 · Engine · 107,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it spontaneously caught fire. the fire department extinguished the fire. the vehicle was towed to an independent lot. there were no reported injuries. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of th…”
2021-01-06 · Suspension · 55,000 mi“issues: both front thrust arm bushings worn, oil leaking from vehicle, replacement of microfilter needed, brake fluid flush service and sunroof not initialized. comments: i took the vehicle in to be serviced as i was getting a driver stability malfunction error and when driving over potholes or any uneven street/highway, wheel would jerk extreme…”
2018-12-12 · Engine · 80,000 mi“while driving my vehicle at a speed of approximately 30 mph, i shifted into manual mode, downshifting i order to evade an aggressive driver. i then shifted back to automatic, at approximately 45-50 mph, at which point the engine cut out , the engine light came on and steering was non powered. the car also slipped into neutral. i received an error a…”
2018-07-19 · Engine · 70,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. the vehicle was towed to the dealer (passport bmw, 4730 auth place, camp springs, maryland 20746) where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where i…”
2018-02-09 · Engine“bmw dealership in georgia, tbilisi is liar. i visited them for customer car package. under this ccp must be replaced some parts without checking and some of them after checking. that dealership chamged me only air mass sensors when bmw ag states that vent pipe bank 1 and 2, connecting line bank 1 and 2, aor mass sensors, intake air duct must be r…”
2017-10-12 · Power Train“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v071000 and 17v138000 (air bags, power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the unknown dealer was contacted a…”
2017-10-05 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. bmw monrovia (1425 mountain ave, monrovia, ca) was contacted a…”
2017-09-07 · Engine · 1 mi“vehicle demonstrates turbo lag. in the stationary position when you press the gas pedal, the vehicle pauses for quite some time but the rpm rises than the vehicle will move forward. this is very concerning as one tries to enter heavy fast moving traffic. especially when you don't know when the vehicle will move forward as the turbo decides to kick …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.