YearToAvoid

2009 BMW X6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 20 X6 years

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

The 2009 BMW X6 has 19 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 20 X6 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (10 complaints, 53% of the total). Complaints report 1 fire.

Complaints
19
Recalls
10
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
13.5 city / 19 hwy

Top 2009 BMW X6 problems

NHTSA owner 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%)
2009 BMW X6 complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2010Feb 2013Nov 2014Sep 2015Dec 2016Nov 2017May 2018Jun 2020
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2010 to Jul 2020; peak Jul 2020 (4).

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 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 BMW X6 ranks worst among X6 model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 19 complaints and 10 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X6?
The most reported problem areas are engine (10 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), and fuel system (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 58,244 miles.
Does the 2009 BMW X6 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2009 BMW X6, most recently reported 2020, covering airbags, engine, fuel system, and brakes. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 BMW X6?
EPA rates the 2009 BMW X6 at 16 MPG combined (13.5 city / 19 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.