BMW X6 Problems: 7 Common Issues (Explained)

BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV for families on the go. The X6 offers an immaculate cabin that comes with all the driver-assist, a potent engine, and a great exterior.

Still, the BMW X6 is not perfect. It has its issues that we will be addressing in this article.

Our research has found a few problems that we thought you should be aware of. This article will also share some potential solutions to those issues, too.

But first, let’s clear this right up.

Is the BMW X6 Reliable?

The BMW X6 is a reliable SUV. It is a dependable SUV for adventurous families.

The 2022 BMW X6 has an impressive reliability score of 81 out of 100. A J.D. Power gave the X6 a reliability score of 91-100. J.D Power is a marketing firm specializing in automotive research.

The X6 has smooth handling, sturdy brakes, well-weighted steering, and minimal body roll to help it navigate rugged terrains.

Let’s look at some common issues with the BMW X6.

1. Diesel engine issues

Several drivers reported diesel engine problems with the BMW X6 report. The problems with the engine X 6 engine include a defective swirl flap, which is a part prone to breaking if you don’t take good care of it.

Other drivers of the BMW X6 complained about overheating of the engine.

The 2011 X 6s seem to have this problem. Once this crucial part of the engine breaks down, it can easily allow metal debris into the engine and make your engine cease.

Once your engine stops, the only option you will have will be to buy a new engine.

Experts advise that you should check your car around the intake manifold for any sign of oil leaks. If you see any oil leaks, take your car to your nearest BMW.

The NHTSA had to recall the BMW X6 due to a faulty powertrain.

According to the NHTSA, the affected BMW X6 has a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could damage your powertrain.

The statement said, if the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not work.

Or can even affect vehicle traction. They warned drivers not to go because their BMW X6 may damage other components.

BMW dealers will replace the front driveshaft; owners can contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Signs

• Your car will have engine unusual engine leaks.
• The engine light will come on.

Causes

Several causes may cause the engine light of your BMW X6 to come on.

Here are some of the reasons:

• When your check engine light comes on, this could be a warning that you need to replace your gas cap, or there could be a serious problem than that.
• At the same time, your check engine light will illuminate or blink. While this may mean something less severe, your vehicle’s engine will be in severe trouble. So don’t ignore this warning.
• A dependable glow commonly means something less severe, but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle’s engine is suddenly in severe trouble, and service is essential.
• BMW recommends that you schedule BMW service today as soon as you notice the engine light flashing.

Prevailing reasons why your check engine light has come on:

• Your mass airflow sensor may be a faulter – The mass airflow sensor in your BMW X6 determines how much fuel is decisive to running your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine.
• Engine management system – If your BMW X6 is having trouble starting or idling rough, this could be a sign of a bad mass airflow sensor.
• A vacuum leak – A sound vacuum system should help lower harmful emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine.
• A cap is loose, damaged, or missing – Your gas cap has issues if it can’t prevent gas fumes from being released when you aren’t driving. It does this by sealing the fuel system and helping maintain pressure within the fuel tank.
• Your battery could be low or dead.

Can you drive your X6 with the engine light on?

Driving your BMW X6 with the engine light on will depend on the severity of the problem. Also, driving your engine with an illuminating engine light will depend on your driving style.

To be safe, avoid driving your car for a long-distance with an engine light glaring.

We recommend you take your X6 to a mechanic to diagnose the issue before you embark on a long journey. This way, you won’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road.

Solution

Once you suspect your engine has this problem, please don’t waste time; book it in for service. A technician will check if you need to replace the swirl flap. If there is another damage to your engine, the specialist will tell you how to fix it.

If your engine is damaged, you will have to consider buying a new one at a low price.

According to BMW, when the engine light comes on, it usually warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that’s not well tightened to a more perilous failure like a damaging catalytic converter or serious engine issues. So we recommend that you don’t ignore the engine light warning.

Please also read our article about the best and worst years of the BMW X6.

2. Tailgate Spoiler is loose

You should also expect the tailgate spoiler of your BMW X6 to wobble or vibrate when you drive.

Sometimes, the spoiler may come off while you are on the road. A rear spoiler that was not bonded correctly seems to be the primary cause of this problem.

Solution:

The tailer spoiler tends to come loose on the top edge of the tailgate on the right-hand side, where it meets the rear of the roof.

Once your X6 has this problem, you must consider buying a new bumper. Then you can take your car to a technician to replace it.

3. Rattling from doors

Another problem you should expect from an old BMW X6 is a rattling noise from doors when driving.

Sometimes, your door may buzz when you go through a speed hump. Or you might hear the same buzzing sound when you drive on a road that has a rough surface. Take this as a sign that you should fix it immediately.

Causes

According to experts, poor fitment of the door cards is the leading cause of this problem. If the parts that fill the inside panel of the door are not correctly fitted, the door will make a rattling noise.

Solution:

The best solution to fix this problem is to take your Beemer to a technician to adjust door cards. The technician will try replacing the door cards if that doesn’t stop the rattling noise.

4. Steering column problems

Another potential problem with a BMW X6 is a faulty steering column. Car owners complain about the electric front seats. In some cases, the issues can run concurrently.

Another driver said the BMW X6 pulls hard and shudders when turning left or right or reversing at a prolonged speed. After taking the vehicle to technicians, they could find anything else. When the driver tried to take the X6 to BMW, they couldn’t find anything.

They said the exhaust’s white steam or smoke is normal.

Your BMW X 6 will likely develop minor issues with the steering from 80,000 miles. But it’s always possible that it may have some problems earlier than this.

Expect serious problems as your BMW X6 hits over 150,000 miles.

However, the best way to avoid being stranded on the roadside is to service your vehicle regularly.

Signs

The 2011 BMW X6 seems to be the only model with this problem.

In most cases, when you turn your vehicle, it will vibrate, and the left driver’s side wheel loses traction at about 5 MPH. There can be several reasons why a car will not accelerate even at low speed.

Solution

If so, both these systems are run by the same switch assembly, known for having problems.

If there is any hesitancy in adjusting any of these, the switch assembly is faulty.

5. Broken Isofix Mounting Point

The BMW X6 has a broken Isofix Mounting Point and a child seat. According to many drivers, many child seats move more than they should.

Solution

If your car has a broken Isofix Mounting Point, we recommend that you order a new set of mounting points from BreakerYard.

6. Loss of Brake Power

Your BMW X6 has a loss of brake power. According to car owners, the brakes take too long to slow down the car to a complete stop.

BMW X6, which has 150,000 to 200,000 miles on the clock, is likely to have this problem.

BMW recommends that you maintain regular maintenance of your X6 to keep your brakes in condition.

2020 BMW X6s models are more likely to have the brake power issue. If you are unsure how the brakes of the BMW X6 should function, check your owner’s manual.

Most drivers of the 2020 model report a faulty integrated brake system hydraulic as the cause.

Solution

You’ll need to book your car for service if it has this issue. The mechanics will diagnose the cause. Should there be any need for you to install the replacement, they will replace it for you.

7. Battery problems

There are instances when you turn the ignition, and your BMW X6 won’t start. The starter will try to crank the engine, but the battery won’t turn the starter. This might be a sign that your X6 has a battery problem. Models between 2019 and 2020 tend to have this problem.

Cause

One of the potential causes of this issue could be old battery cables. It’s also possible that the battery cables on your starter generator have become worn out or were not sufficiently secured in the production stage.

It’s nearly impossible to diagnose this problem on your own. However, you can still adjust the screw connection on your starter generator.

Solution

We recommend that you take your BMW X6 to a qualified auto electrician to take a look at your vehicle.

Final Thoughts

That said, a BMW X6 is still a great car. So we recommend you buy the X 6, especially the 2022 BMW X6.

With this model, BMW has raised the bar in the SUV segment.

The latest update about the new X 6 comes standard with the brand’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

The X6 40i comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that features a 48-volt hybrid system and makes 335 horsepower.

Do the following to keep your X6 in good condition:

• Always check-engine light illumination – When you see the warning light flashing on your dashboard, take your BMW X2.
• Only use BMW-approved fluids on your engine.
• Take your car only to BMW-approved mechanics.
• Only replace old parts with BMW-approved parts.
• Never try to fix your BMW X2 yourself; take it to a mechanic to help replace old parts.
• Avoid driving your car if it has brake issues, as this may put other drivers at risk.

Check also: Problems for every BMW model

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.