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2018 BMW X6 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 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.
- 4safety recalls
- 4owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 1fire report
- 13%fail the UK MOT
4 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 2018 BMW X6?
The components named most often in the 4 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2018 BMW X6 been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. 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.
Wheels: Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles. The wheel bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: The improperly tightened wheel bolts may loosen and break, affecting vehicle handling and control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten all of the wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Lower Arm BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break.
Risk: If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Is the 2018 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 exhaust gas recirculation module could leak over time
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Module could leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
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 DVSADue to a fault at the vehicles assembly line some wheel bolts may not have been tightened to specification
Risk: Due to a fault at the vehicles assembly line some wheel bolts may not have been tightened to specification.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the wheel bolts will be replaced.
EU Safety GateThe engine starter’s electrical contacts may overheat and cause the vehicle to start improperly.Continued starting attempts can intensify the overheating and ignite surrounding components, potentially leading to a vehicle fire while driving or shortly after parking.
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 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 software-based overload protection function cannot sufficiently prevent the starter being overloaded in the event of repeated long…The software-based overload protection function cannot sufficiently prevent the starter being overloaded in the event of repeated long start-up attempts. The starter may overheat or sparks may be produced as a result of an increased current flow. This increases the risk of a fire.
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 GateDefective hydraulic unit of the braking system may cause a limited braking support and increased braking distance.Moreover, in such cases the ABS system would not be available. This will lead to increased risk 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 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 ball stud of the left wishbone (control arm) on the front axle is inadequate.As a consequence, it could break and lead to impaired steering.
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 2018 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 2018, 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 2018 BMW X6 owners report?
4 of the 4 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.
During operation in DRIVE, the vehicle would shift to PARK, without the control lever being operated. This occurred intermittently, but with greater frequency over time. The safety concern is that it occurred while in traffic and even occurred on an Interstate highway, while at momentary stop. When reported to BMW, the failure was isolated to the mechatronics, the components including electronic valve body, seals, etc. that control BMW automatic transmission functions. This is not a failure of an eco-mode or other fuel efficiency option. The item required costly repair, but confidence that a…
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X6 equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tires, Tire Size: 255/50/R19, DOT number: UN64P9784417. While his wife was driving 70 MPH, the passenger’s side rear tire delaminated two tread belts and began whipping inside of the wheel well. Due to the failure, a friction fire ignited inside the wheel well which caused two rows of the tread to separate from the tire. The contact's wife pulled off to the shoulder and pressed the emergency button for immediate assistance. The authorities were dispatched to the scene. There was no injury reported. The vehicle was…
WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THERE WAS APPARENTLY NO FIX AVAILABLE YET, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO TRANSPORT A CHILD. I WAS ADVISED BY A BMW DEALERSHIP THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A WEEK WITH NO REMEDY AND WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THEY WERE STILL TRYING. CALLED BMW CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE IN GERMAN AND IT WAS UP TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO LOCATE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP. MY CAR IS UNUSABLE TO TRANSPORT MY GRANDSON AND NO REMEDY IS IN SIGHT. BMW IS TAKING A "SO WHAT" ATTITUDE! THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY SITUATION. THIS IS THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE…
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE FRONT SYSTEM AND CAUSES INSTABILITY, ISSUES WITH THE SUSPENSION AND THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. NEVER WAS FIXED PROPERLY FROM BMW TENAFLY
2018 BMW X6: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 BMW X6 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X6; the most common categories were power train (1, 25%), service brakes (1, 25%), steering (1, 25%). There are 4 safety recalls. 1 mentions a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW X6?
Across 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (25% of complaints), service brakes (25% of complaints), steering (25% of complaints), suspension (25% of complaints), tires (25% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 BMW X6 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 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 2018 only.