2015 BMW X6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 BMW X6 has a Complaint Index of 58 and ranks 9th worst out of 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems account for 44% of complaints, with one fire and a median failure mileage of 85,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 58/100
- #9 of 20 X6 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 9
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2015 BMW X6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (44%)
- Brakes2 (22%)
- Other2 (22%)
- Fuel System1 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (11%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine cranks and fractures near 85,000 miles, sometimes with sudden jerking and power loss at highway speed.
- Some engines emit smoke and catch fire after normal driving, even after the vehicle is parked.
- Owners describe the vehicle shifting unexpectedly into neutral with the check engine light on.
- Cars report going into limp mode on the highway, shaking badly while losing power from 65-70 mph down to 30-40 mph.
- Rear brakes wear down to grinding metal-on-metal contact around 33,000 miles.
- One owner reported a sudden loss of vehicle control after the traction control light came on, followed by brakes locking up.
- A sunroof reportedly exploded while driving at 32,000 miles with no external impact.
2015 BMW X6 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V823000Nov 18, 2019Other32,760 vehicles
Child seat
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower anchor bars may become damaged over time when used with an ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Risk: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2015 BMW X6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,250
- 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.
2015 compared with other X6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW X6 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 X6 a Complaint Index of 58, a Caution verdict, and a rank of 9th worst among 20 model years of the X6. Engine problems make up 44% of its complaints.
- What is the top problem with the 2015 BMW X6?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 4 of 9 complaints (44%), including reports of engine fire and crankshaft fracture near a median mileage of 85,000.
- Does the 2015 BMW X6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2015 X6, covering rear seat lower anchor bars used for child restraint seats; the remedy involves welding a reinforcing bracket.
- How does the 2015 X6 compare to other X6 years?
- The 2015 X6 has a Complaint Index of 58, better than the 2009-2013 model years which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes from 79 to 100, but worse than 2016 (32, Good) and 2022 (26, Good).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 BMW X6?
- EPA rates the 2015 X6 at 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 24 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $4,250.