YearToAvoid

2015 BMW X6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 X6 years

The 2015 BMW X6 has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 9 complaints, 1 recall, 1 crash, and 1 fire, with Engine issues making up 44% of complaints at a median 85,000 miles.

Complaints
9
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19
16.5 city / 24 hwy

Top 2015 BMW X6 problems

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

  1. Engine4 (44%)
  2. Brakes2 (22%)
  3. Other2 (22%)
  4. Fuel System1 (11%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (11%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers1 (11%)

What owners report

  • Engine loses power, jerks, or shifts into limp mode at highway speeds, sometimes accompanied by shaking and a drive train malfunction warning.
  • One owner reported the crank shaft fractured near 85,000 miles, requiring engine work.
  • A vehicle caught fire and emitted smoke from under the hood after being parked following a drive, at 46,000 miles.
  • Brakes locked up unexpectedly on the highway after a traction control malfunction light came on, leading to a crash at 57,000 miles.
  • Rear and front brakes showed excessive wear and grinding noises at 33,000 miles.
  • The sunroof shattered while driving on the highway with no external impact, at 32,000 miles.
2015 BMW X6 complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2018Feb 2019Dec 2019Feb 2020Nov 2020Jul 2021Dec 2023Dec 2024
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2018 to Dec 2024; peak Dec 2024 (3).

2015 BMW X6 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

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
2013Avoid80255 !16
2014Caution53113 !17
2015Caution609119
2016Good339118.5
2017No verdict73218.5

All BMW X6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 BMW X6 reliable?
Compared to other X6 model years, the 2015 gets a Caution verdict with a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 years tracked. It has fewer complaints than the 2010-2013 X6 years but more than the 2016-2018 models.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X6?
NHTSA data shows Engine problems account for 44% of complaints, including reports of power loss, crank shaft fracture, and one engine fire. Brakes account for 22% of complaints, including a crash linked to brake lockup.
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, where BMW dealers weld a reinforcing bracket. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the fuel economy of the 2015 BMW X6?
EPA rates the 2015 BMW X6 at 19 mpg combined (16.5 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,250.
Should I avoid the 2015 BMW X6?
The 2015 X6 is rated Caution, not Avoid, among its model years. Years like 2011 and 2012 carry higher Complaint Index scores (100 and 87) and are rated Avoid, while 2016 and 2022 score lower and rate Good or Best.

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.