The 2013 BMW X6 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 309,340 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0170002020-01-1559,965 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS19V0170002019-01-1483,016 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS18V0300002018-01-0941,808 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…
Consequence
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 front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
POWER TRAIN17V1380002017-03-02121,909 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
STEERING12V2670002012-06-132,642 affected
Defect
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND 2013 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES. DUE TO A MACHINING ERROR OF THE STEERING GEAR SURFACE, POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK.
Consequence
LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO HOT EXHAUST PARTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
14
ENGINE
7
1fires
POWER TRAIN
6
STEERING
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
SUSPENSION
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints36
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving on the highway, the warning “engine power reducedâ€� came on and the car just started slowing to a complete stop. Smoke started coming from the engine and the rear, then came to a complete stop and has not started again. Was towed from the highway to a safe location and I was told…”
“The contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph and ascending an incline, the vehicle started to lose forward momentum and was vibrating. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it spontaneously caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not…”
“Issues: both front thrust arm bushings worn, oil leaking from vehicle, replacement of microfilter needed, brake fluid flush service and sunroof not initialized. Comments: I took the vehicle in to be serviced as I was getting a driver stability malfunction error and when driving over potholes or…”
“Issues: both front thrust arm bushings worn, oil leaking from vehicle, replacement of microfilter needed, brake fluid flush service and sunroof not initialized. Comments: I took the vehicle in to be serviced as I was getting a driver stability malfunction error and when driving over potholes or…”
“Issues: both front thrust arm bushings worn, oil leaking from vehicle, replacement of microfilter needed, brake fluid flush service and sunroof not initialized. Comments: I took the vehicle in to be serviced as I was getting a driver stability malfunction error and when driving over potholes or…”
“Takata recall”
“While driving my vehicle at a speed of approximately 30 mph, I shifted into manual mode, downshifting I order to evade an aggressive driver. I then shifted back to automatic, at approximately 45-50 mph, at which point the engine cut out , the engine light came on and steering was non powered. The…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 BMW X6 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.