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2016 BMW X6 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 BMW X6 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 9owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 13%fail the UK MOT
9 complaints, against an average of 9 for the other 14 BMW X6 model years.
Every BMW X6 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 BMW X6?
The components named most often in the 9 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2016 BMW X6 been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
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.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2016 BMW X6 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSATakata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)
Risk: Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Fix: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSACheck Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
Risk: Affected vehicles may have had a retrofit or conversion of the airbag using a previously recalled airbag variant which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury possibly fatal to people in the vicinity. The original factory fitment airbag for the vehicle is not affected.
Fix: Vehicles will have the airbag checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSAA possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which…A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Risk: A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Fix: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.
UK DVSAUndetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
Risk: Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.
Fix: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.
UK DVSAThe isofix child restraint u-loop may break off the carrier plate
Risk: The ISOFIX child restraint U-Loop may break off the carrier plate resulting in the child seat no longer being secure.
Fix: Weld an additional metal angle bracket to each ISOFIX U-Loop
UK DVSAExhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak
Risk: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk
Fix: A visual inspection of the EGR cooler to check for leaks and excessive build-up of deposits. The EGR cooler will be replaced on all affected vehicles
UK DVSAPower steering may not perform correctly
Risk: The electrical contact of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) is not sufficiently robust over the service life of the vehicle. As a result the power steering support may fail possibly leading to disconcerting driving situation for the driver. Additionally in a few cases a localised thermal event cannot be excluded.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the steering gear (EPS).
EU Safety GateWater may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion.This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat leading to a fire when the vehicle is in motion or when it is parked with the ignition off.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal…The airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 30/03/2023
EU Safety GateThe airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and…The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe four ISOFIX child-seat attachment brackets on the rear seats may not have the necessary structural durability.As a result, one or more of the brackets could break under increased fatigue loading during operation. This may increase the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe wheel bolts may not have been correctly tightened and may consequently loosen over time and break.Years estimatedAs a result, the wheel could become detached from the vehicle.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe control unit of the electronic power steering may have been incorrectly manufactured.This may cause a fire even when the vehicle is parked. Furthermore, steering assistance might fail while driving.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2016 BMW X6 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2016, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2016 BMW X6 owners report?
9 of the 9 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The vehicle was parked inside the garage, and the contact was unable to turn to the right or the left. The message "Power Steering Lock" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that a mobile mechanic inspected the vehicle and used a personal OBD scanner to retrieve a fault code for the electronic power steering (EPS) not communicating as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number…
I am reaching out regarding a serious issue with my 2016 BMW X6 M, which suffered a driveshaft failure. I understand that certain BMW models were recalled for similar issues, but my vehicle was not included. Given the severity of the damage and the number of similar complaints online, I believe this issue warrants further review. Recently, while driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden failure, requiring it to be towed to a repair shop. There were no warnings or indications that anything was wrong. Upon inspection, the mechanics determined that the driveshaft had come loose…
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a misfire in cylinder number #5, and the water pump had failed due to a ground short circuit failure. The contact replaced the spark plugs and recharged the battery, and the check engine warning light was reset; however, the vehicle scanner continued to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes indicating the water pump failure due to the short circuit of the electrical ground. The…
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local mechanic who informed the contact that the driveshaft had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to use the turn signal while making a right turn however, the system failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Instrument panel failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was concerned that the…
I was driving down the street and the drive shaft broke and when that broke it hit my exhaust and broke my transmission cooler
ON MANY BMW CARS YOU WILL SEE REPORTS OF THE AIR SUSPENSION FAILING. MINE FAILED DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT WITH LESS MILES THAN IN THE WARRANTY. STILL A LOW 4 FIGURE COST TO THE CONSUMER TO FIX. THIS SHOULD FIXED VIA A RECALL AND CONSUMERS REIMBURSED FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED. THIS PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF BMW OWNERS. IT CAUSES A LESS THAN SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE OR AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE. MY HEAD AND NECK WERE INJURED WHILE GOING 20MPH
'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 BMW X6 XDRIVE 50I ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A HITTING SOUND UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND I REALIZED FRONT DRIVESHAFT HAD BROKEN OFF. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND MOVING SLOW THIS ALLOWED ME TO PULL OVER SAFELY.
STEERING TURN ALL THE WAY TO LEFT SHAKES AS WELL.
2016 BMW X6: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 BMW X6 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X6; the most common categories were power train (3, 33.3%), electrical system (2, 22.2%), electronic stability control (esc) (1, 11.1%). There is 1 safety recall. 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW X6?
Across 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (33.3% of complaints), electrical system (22.2% of complaints), electronic stability control (esc) (11.1% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (11.1% of complaints), steering (11.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 BMW X6 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2016 BMW X6; the most recent (campaign 19V823000, 2019-11-18) concerns Child Seat. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own X6
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.