YearToAvoid

2009 BMW X6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2009 BMW X6 ranks as the worst year in the model's lineup, with a complaint index of 100 (rank 1 of 20 years) and 19 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, and 5 do-not-drive recalls. Engine problems dominate, making up 53% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 20 X6 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
19
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
10
5 Do Not Drive
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2016
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
13.5 city / 19 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2009 BMW X6 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine10 (53%)
  2. Airbags3 (16%)
  3. Fuel System3 (16%)
  4. Electrical System2 (11%)
  5. Other2 (11%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (11%)
  7. Brakes1 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine overheats and stalls unexpectedly, sometimes triggering a dashboard warning to shut off the engine immediately.
  • Owners report a noise from the front of the vehicle followed by repeated overheating, traced to the auxiliary water pump.
  • Vehicle stalled at low speed while fuel fumes and smoke entered the cabin, with the failure recurring after an initial repair.
  • Front headlight lenses cracked and deteriorated, with a sealant reportedly melting the material.
  • Vehicle became unstable over bumps without being diagnosed or repaired.
  • Tires wore below spec well under 30,000 miles despite normal driving conditions.
2009 BMW X6 complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2010Feb 2013Nov 2014Sep 2015Dec 2016Nov 2017May 2018Jun 2020
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2010 to Jul 2020; peak Nov 2014 (2).

2009 BMW X6 recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 10 recalls for the 2009 BMW X6 →

2009 BMW X6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13.5 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.

2009 compared with other X6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007No verdict510—
2008No verdict7448 !16
2009Avoid1001910 !16
2010Avoid95159 !15
2011Avoid893111 !16

All BMW X6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW X6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 X6 is the highest-risk year in the model's 20-year history, with a complaint index of 100 and rank 1 of 20 model years.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X6?
Engine issues lead with 10 complaints (53% of the total), including overheating and stalling, followed by airbag and fuel system problems with 3 complaints each.
Does the 2009 BMW X6 have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls covering the 2009 X6, including three do-not-drive recalls tied to Takata inflators.
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X6 have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2009 X6, 5 of which are do-not-drive recalls.
At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2009 BMW X6?
The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 58,244 miles, with engine-related failures reported at a median of 64,122 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.