2008 BMW X6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 BMW X6 has a complaint index of 74, ranking 6th worst among 20 model years of X6 data. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this year, including 4 do-not-drive airbag campaigns, mainly tied to airbag inflators.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 74/100
- #6 of 20 X6 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 4
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- 4 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 BMW X6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags1 (25%)
- Brakes1 (25%)
- Electrical System1 (25%)
- Engine1 (25%)
- Structure & Body1 (25%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Seat back covers detached from the driver and passenger front seats multiple times, raising concern about seat integrity in a crash.
- Engine power cut out unexpectedly while passing another vehicle on the highway, an event that reportedly happened three times over four months.
- Owners reported continuing to drive the vehicle after receiving an airbag recall notice while waiting for parts and a replacement date.
- The vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts and several electric features stopped working, later diagnosed as an intelligent battery sensor cable malfunction.
2008 BMW X6 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V016000Jan 15, 2020Airbags4,007 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 19V017000Jan 14, 2019Airbags83,016 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
2008 BMW X6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other X6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 BMW X6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 X6 has a complaint index of 74 and ranks 6th worst out of 20 model years, so it sits on the higher-risk end compared to other X6 years.
- Does the 2008 BMW X6 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2008 X6, and 4 of them are do-not-drive airbag campaigns related to airbag inflators.
- What problems do owners report on the 2008 BMW X6?
- NHTSA complaints cite issues split evenly across airbags, brakes, electrical system, engine, and structure/body, including a seat back cover detaching and a battery sensor cable malfunction that caused starting failures.
- How many complaints and recalls does the 2008 X6 have?
- NHTSA records 4 complaints and 8 recalls for the 2008 BMW X6, with a median mileage at failure of 18,000 miles.
- How does the 2008 X6 compare to other years?
- The 2008 X6 ranks 6th worst of 20 model years with a complaint index of 74, better than 2009-2013 which are all rated Avoid, but worse than later years like 2016 and 2021-2022 rated Good.