2010 BMW X6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 15 owner complaints about the 2010 BMW X6, most often about the engine. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-364 the manufacturer reports only 48% of affected cars repaired.

2010 BMW X6

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 18, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2010 BMW X6 has problems

15 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine73
Fuel/propulsion system41
Electrical system31
Fuel system, gasoline21
Power train20
Visibility/wiper10
Engine and engine cooling11
Air bags10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2010 BMW X6 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

77%repaired · 2021 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 20V-017 · Jan 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles · 46,423 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2021 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 20V-016 · Jan 15, 2020 · 4,007 vehicles · 2,606 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

74%repaired · 2020 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 19V-017 · Jan 14, 2019 · 83,016 vehicles · 61,315 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

66%repaired · 2019 Q3

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 18V-248 · Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles · 31,460 repaired

Risk. If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
67%repaired · 2019 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 18V-030 · Jan 9, 2018 · 41,808 vehicles · 28,172 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

52%repaired · 2018 Q2

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 16V-746 · Oct 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles · 70,374 repaired

Risk. The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

48%repaired · 2018 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 16V-364 · May 25, 2016 · 97,738 vehicles · 46,471 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other fuel types: turbo/supercharger

Recall 11V-521 · Oct 20, 2011 · 32,084 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield

Recall 10V-025 · Jan 28, 2010 · 210 vehicles

Risk. IN THE CASE OF A ROLLOVER, THE STABILITY OF THE ROOF COULD BE AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2010 vs. every other X6 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X6 median. How we score

'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2010 BMW X6 safety ratings

2010 BMW X6 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What X6 owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

On March 26,2023 my house was total loss due to the 2010 BMW X6 was caught on fire inside the garage. The vehicle has 79xxx mileage and all recall has been check. My two dogs save my life but I did not save them. The dogs was barking while I was in the master bedroom talking to my daughter. As soon…
Complaint 11517616 · Apr 18, 2023
BOUGHT IN 2018 NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 2 OR 3 MONTHS LATER TO DEALER AT SERIVILLE IN BMW FOR OIL CHANGE AND THEN STARTED BURNING OIL, TOOK BACK TO DEALER WAS TOLD VALE STEM SEAT ARE LEAKING ASK TO CHECK MY WARRANTY ENDURANCE THE REFUSE TO COVER WITHOUT ME PAYING 10,000 TO HAVE ENGINE BROKE DOWN I REFUSE…
Complaint 11406783 · Apr 6, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X6. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE AND HE DISCOVERED SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 110815. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY BILL JACOBS BMW [PHONE], LOCATED AT 2495 AURORA AVE,…
Complaint 11155900 · Dec 4, 2018

Own a 2010 X6?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.