YearToAvoid

2012 BMW X6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

87/100

#3 most-complained of 16 X6 years

The 2012 BMW X6 has a complaint index of 87, the third-worst year of the 16 covered, with 32 complaints, 7 recalls (4 do-not-drive), and Engine as the top problem area at 47% of complaints. It ranks Avoid relative to other X6 years.

Complaints
32
Recalls
7
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy

Top 2012 BMW X6 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine15 (47%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain9 (28%)
  3. Fuel System7 (22%)
  4. Electrical System5 (16%)
  5. Steering3 (9%)
  6. Airbags2 (6%)
  7. Other2 (6%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine loses power and drops to reduced output unexpectedly, sometimes cutting speed to 4-5 mph with no warning.
  • Vehicle has shifted into neutral and shut down while braking or accelerating, leaving owners unable to steer or brake.
  • Excessive oil consumption reported, with owners noting smoking and burning oil along with black residue on the tailpipes.
  • Transmission fails to downshift at highway speed, sometimes linked to a fault code tied to the electric auxiliary water pump.
  • Power steering fluid leaks from a machining error in the steering gear surface, raising fire risk near hot exhaust parts.
  • Fuel system issues cause hesitation and a 'service vehicle immediately' warning, tied to a defective fuel pump.
2012 BMW X6 complaints: complaints filed per month6Aug 2012Apr 2016Jul 2017May 2019Nov 2020Sep 2021May 2024
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2012 to May 2024; peak Mar 2015 (6).

2012 BMW X6 recalls

7 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 7 recalls for the 2012 BMW X6 →

2012 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.

2012 compared with other X6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid93159 !15
2011Avoid1003111 !16
2012Avoid87327 !16
2013Avoid80255 !16
2014Caution53113 !17

All BMW X6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 BMW X6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 X6 has a complaint index of 87, ranking third-worst among the 16 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other X6 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW X6?
Engine complaints make up 47% of reports, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 28% and Fuel System at 22%, based on NHTSA data. Median mileage at failure across complaints is 72,450.
Does the 2012 BMW X6 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2012 X6, including 4 marked do-not-drive, covering airbags, engine components, and transmission-related driveshaft issues.
How does the 2012 X6 compare to other years?
The 2012 X6 has a complaint index of 87, worse than 2013 (80) and 2014 (53), but better than 2011 (100), the worst year on record.

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.