2014 BMW X6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 BMW X6 has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 10th out of 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 55% of complaints, tied to a do-not-drive Takata recall, plus a driveshaft recall affecting the transmission.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #10 of 20 X6 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2014 BMW X6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags6 (55%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (36%)
- Other1 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report Takata airbag recall parts were unavailable for extended periods, leaving the driver airbag unrepaired.
- Some drivers noted an intermittently non-functioning horn linked to the airbag system.
- At highway speeds, the front driveshaft has detached and dropped onto the roadway, producing a rumbling noise before failure.
- A fractured front axle caused an abnormal grinding noise at low speed and left the vehicle undriveable.
- Owners describe shuddering felt under the driver's seat along with abnormal shaking when accelerating, diagnosed as transfer case and driveshaft wear.
- A loosened front driveshaft universal joint produced a rattling noise, connected to NHTSA campaign 17V138000.
2014 BMW X6 recalls
3 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 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.
- NHTSA 17V138000Mar 2, 2017Transmission & Powertrain121,909 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2014 BMW X6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 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.
2014 compared with other X6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 BMW X6 reliable?
- It has a complaint index of 53 and ranks 10th of 20 model years for this model, giving it a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. It is not the worst year, but it is not among the best either.
- What are the main problems with the 2014 BMW X6?
- Airbags make up 55% of complaints, largely tied to a do-not-drive Takata recall, while transmission and powertrain issues, including driveshaft failures, make up 36%.
- Does the 2014 BMW X6 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls for this year, including a do-not-drive airbag recall (19V017000) and a driveshaft recall (17V138000) covering water intrusion into the transfer case.
- What year BMW X6 should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, the 2009 through 2013 model years all carry an Avoid verdict, with 2011 and 2012 showing the highest complaint counts. The 2014 X6 ranks better than those years but still falls under Caution.
- At what mileage do 2014 BMW X6 problems occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 100,000 at failure across reported problems, with airbag issues appearing earlier around 32,002 miles and suspension issues around 120,000 miles.