2011 BMW X6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 BMW X6 ranks 3rd worst out of 20 model years with a complaint index of 89 and 11 recalls, including 4 do-not-drive campaigns. Owners most often reported engine problems, followed by transmission and powertrain failures, earning it an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 20 X6 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 31
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- 4 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2011 BMW X6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine18 (58%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (32%)
- Fuel System5 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (13%)
- Brakes3 (10%)
- Electrical System3 (10%)
- Other3 (10%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Steering2 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Water pumps fail and make noise before going bad, in some cases triggering overheating warnings and a fire risk.
- Engine warning lights come on followed by loss of power, sometimes traced to a failed turbo pump or auxiliary water pump.
- Front drive shafts break or vibrate during turns, a problem owners link to the same driveshaft issue seen on the related X5.
- The engine and transmission can be linked to a sudden loud explosion noise and stalling at highway speed, requiring towing.
- The rear window defrost connector has sparked and shattered the rear glass while driving.
- A new tire's sidewall blew out with no rim or tread damage at very low mileage.
2011 BMW X6 recalls
11 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.
2011 BMW X6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 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.
2011 compared with other X6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 BMW X6 reliable?
- NHTSA data ranks it 3rd worst among 20 model years of the X6, with a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems make up 58% of complaints for this year.
- What are the most common 2011 BMW X6 problems?
- Engine issues account for 18 of 31 complaints (58%), followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 10 complaints (32%). Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 60,000.
- Does the 2011 BMW X6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, and 4 of them are do-not-drive recalls covering airbags. Other recalls address the fuel pump module, front driveshaft, and auxiliary water pump.
- Are there fire risks with the 2011 BMW X6?
- NHTSA complaint data lists 3 fire reports and 2 injuries for this year. Sample complaints describe a water pump issue tied to overheating and a rear window defrost connector that sparked and shattered glass.
- How does the 2011 X6 compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 89 is close to the worst years, 2009 (100) and 2010 (95), but higher than later years like 2016 (32) and 2021 (47), which earned Good verdicts.