Skip to content

NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2020

BMW X6 M recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints for the BMW X6 M, covering model years 2008 to 2020. Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW X6 M VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 8 recall campaigns on file
  • 2 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 11 model years with data (2008–2020)
  • top component: Engine (2 complaints)
  • latest recall 20V678000 (reported Nov 4, 2020)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW X6 M complaints by model year

1 model year · NHTSA complaints

All 2 complaints are for the 2012 model year.

BMW X6 M complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW X6 M complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201220000

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW X6 M components

top 1 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 2 complaints (100.0% of all 2).

Components named most often in BMW X6 M complaints (top 1)
Components named most often in BMW X6 M complaints (top 1)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine2100.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW X6 M recalls

8 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name X6 M, newest first. The 8 campaigns cover model years 2008 to 2020. The 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 8 recall campaigns
BMW X6 M recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2008: 1 campaign2009: 1 campaign
2010: 1 campaign2011: 1 campaign2012: 1 campaign2013: no campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: 1 campaign2016: 1 campaign2017: 1 campaign2018: 3 campaigns2019: 3 campaigns
2020: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.
  1. NHTSA campaign 20V678000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Control Arm

    Model year 2020

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.

    Consequence:
    If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 20V484000

    Reported

    Structure › Body

    Model year 2020

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be appropriately bonded to its mounting plate.

    Consequence:
    The rear spoiler on the roof may become loose, detach while driving, and could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash, or injury to persons near the roadway.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear spoiler on the affected vehicles and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 20V434000

    Reported

    Steering › Column; Steering

    Model year 2020

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.

    Consequence:
    A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied. No owner notification letter is necessary. Please contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 19V823000

    Reported

    Child Seat

    Model years 2015–2019

    BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower anchor bars may become damaged over time when used with an ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.

    Consequence:
    Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 18V680000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model year 2019

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles. The rear upper control arm pivot bolts may have been improperly hardened, possibly causing the rear upper control arms to break.

    Consequence:
    If a rear upper control arm breaks, it can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    All affected vehicles remain on dealer lots, therefore owner letters will not be mailed. BMW dealers will replace both rear upper control arms, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 18V614000

    Reported

    Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs

    Model years 2018–2019

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles. The wheel bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.

    Consequence:
    The improperly tightened wheel bolts may loosen and break, affecting vehicle handling and control and increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten all of the wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 18V248000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/Supercharger; Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model years 2008–2012

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

    Consequence:
    If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 17V727000

    Reported

    Suspension

    Model year 2018

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.

    Consequence:
    Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW X6 M questions

4 questions

How many recalls does the BMW X6 M have?

NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW X6 M, covering model years 2008 to 2020. The most recent, 20V678000, was reported on November 4, 2020 and is filed under “Suspension”. The 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

What is the most common BMW X6 M complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 2 complaints, or 100.0% of all 2. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW X6 M?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW X6 M complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 2 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.