The contact owns a 2020 BMW X6. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, with the message "Check Control - Repeat Start Attempt" displayed. In addition, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V576000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 59,900.
BMW X6 check engine light comes on
15 of the 205 owner complaints about the BMW X6 describe check engine light, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical mileage
- 80,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20201
- 20191
- 20161
- 20151
- 20131
- 20121
- 20117
- 20092
Often reported together
Fuel pump 2Fire or smoke 2Stalling 1Slipping 1Overheating 1Misfire 1Loss of power 1Jerking 1
What owners say
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 dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the mechanic stated that the timing chain gears failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The contact stated that the dealer had the part but would not sell it to the contact due to the part being under a recall. The contact referenced BMW recall B110923 as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle inadvertently shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion while leaving a parking lot, the vehicle jerked with a delay while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started overheating. The contact shut off the vehicle and waited for the vehicle to cool down before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.
While driving the check engine light came on moments later the steering wheel stiffened up then released mid turn when I turn the steering wheel the tires didn’t respond I hit a curb
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X6. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the catalectic converter was missing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
2011 BMW x6m 115k miles the car system was burning smell coming. Smell like electrical problem the system of the car shuts down no power just enough power to pull over off the road. Turned it off and back on it went away. Check engine light and reduced of power keeps coming on. We look into the truck water is leaking into the electrical. Trunk electrical broken. Comfort access not working. This car is really unsafe and its not fix.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X6. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that there was an unknown recall associated to the VIN. The dealer completed recall repairs. The contact stated on July 16, 2021 while her husband was driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,900.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into neutral with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
I took my 2009 bmw x6 to the bmw dealer, union city ga for 3 purposes: suspected leak of coolant; check engine light on; and excessive smoke coming from both exhaust pipes. Spoke with/communicated via email with bmw svc rep, went over documented concerns...to include smoke from both exhaust pipes; received document for approval; which I approved. Received vehicle 3 days later, returning home with vehicle to observe smoke 'excessive' from both exhaust pipes. Returned vehicle, to be told by svc mgr, "I'm sorry, I can only reprimand svc rep, as the work that was done would not correct smoke from exhaust." then, svc mgr went on to speak of the class action law suit that addressed this problem, but the timeframe to have this corrected (for free) had expired 'by date"...and this information is usually sent to the original owner. As I expressed to him, I am the 4th owner of this vehicle and received no information...he of course was apologetic and gave an estimate of $8k to correct this problem (that I was "told" and paid for would correct the problem). I called hq bmw only to receive an apology and referred to bmw union city...to receive a written estimate from the [same] svc manager. *smoke observed wihile vehicle is stationary with engine on; and in motion in both city and on highway. Began 3/16 - 3/31/2020
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): software
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
- Risk
- A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 24V576000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
- Risk
- If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1‑800‑525‑7417, MINI at 1‑866‑825‑1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1‑877‑877‑3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Recall number 18V248000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, model year 2010-2011 5-series gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-series, model year 2010-2011 x5 sav, and model year 2008-2011 x6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, engines because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat.
- Risk
- This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on december 19, 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 11V521000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW X6 check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the BMW X6?
Owners who report it most often also describe fuel pump failure, fire, smoke or burning smell and engine stalls while driving.
Which BMW X6 years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (7 complaints), 2009 (2 complaints) and 2012 (1 complaints).
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