BMW X6 · model year

2008 BMW X6

5 NHTSA complaints, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008BMWX6 carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 X6 is seats with 1 filings, followed by electronic stability control (esc) (1) and engine and engine cooling (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2008 X6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

5 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SEATS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (8)

16V36400025/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever

11V52100020/10/2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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 AUXIL

18V24800018/04/2018

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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, Coo

16V74600017/10/2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran T

20V01600015/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger fronta

20V01700015/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

19V01700014/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 c

17V02000010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas,

Recent Complaints

20200618ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SEVERAL ELECTRIC FEATURES FAILED TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH AN INTELLIGENT BATTERY SENSOR CABLE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF HONOLULU (777 KAPIOLANI BLVD, HONOLULU, HI 96813) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL THAT WAS INITIATED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

20160816AIR BAGS

DEFECTED AIR BACK HAS BEEN RECALLED SINCE MARCH. SO FAR, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO THE REPLACEMENT PART. CAN YOU PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE COMPANY FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS SUV SINCE I RECEIVED THE RECALLED LETTER. EVERY TIME WE GET OUT WITH THIS SUV, WE PUT OUR LIFE ON THE LINE. HOW CAN WE DO TO GET IT REPLACE SOONER. PLEASE HELP.

20100204ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE POWER TO MY ENGINE WAS CUT BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THE CAR FOLLOWING ME ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF ME. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER 4 MONTHS. IN NUMEROUS WRITTEN LETTERS TO BMW AND TO THE DEALER, THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE I HAD NOT INSTALLED THE "PROPER" TIRES ON THE CAR WHEN THE ORIGINAL ONES WORE OUT. OR COURSE, THEY SOLD AND INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENTS, AND NEVER WARNED ME ABOUT ANYTHING. THE ORIGINAL 20" TIRES, AND THE ONLY "APPROVED" ONES, ARE RUN-FLAT HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES THAT RIDE TERRIBLY, AND ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WINTER DRIVING. SO I WANTED TO INSTALL ALL-SEASON TIRES - BMW DOESN'T APPROVE ANY ALL-SEASON TIRES FOR THIS CAR- NOT IN THE 20" SIZE REQUIRED. SO I PICKED A MODEL TIRE THAT MICHELIN SALES FOR SUMMER AND WINTER USE, AND THE DEALER OBTAINED THEM INSTALLED THEM - SAYING NOTHING ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT - THE BMW STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS PROGRAMMED FOR

Mileage: 18,000

20100204ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE POWER TO MY ENGINE WAS CUT BY THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THE CAR FOLLOWING ME ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF ME. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER 4 MONTHS. IN NUMEROUS WRITTEN LETTERS TO BMW AND TO THE DEALER, THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING IT WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE I HAD NOT INSTALLED THE "PROPER" TIRES ON THE CAR WHEN THE ORIGINAL ONES WORE OUT. OR COURSE, THEY SOLD AND INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENTS, AND NEVER WARNED ME ABOUT ANYTHING. THE ORIGINAL 20" TIRES, AND THE ONLY "APPROVED" ONES, ARE RUN-FLAT HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES THAT RIDE TERRIBLY, AND ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WINTER DRIVING. SO I WANTED TO INSTALL ALL-SEASON TIRES - BMW DOESN'T APPROVE ANY ALL-SEASON TIRES FOR THIS CAR- NOT IN THE 20" SIZE REQUIRED. SO I PICKED A MODEL TIRE THAT MICHELIN SALES FOR SUMMER AND WINTER USE, AND THE DEALER OBTAINED THEM INSTALLED THEM - SAYING NOTHING ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT - THE BMW STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS PROGRAMMED FOR

Mileage: 18,000

20090708SEATS

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 BMW X6 IN APRIL 08 AND VARIOUS PROBLEMS KEEP RE-OCCURRING WITH IT. THE MAIN PROBLEM NOW IS THE BACK COVERS OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT KEEP COMING OUT OF PLACE. IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE BACK COVER WOULD LOOSE AND DETACH FROM THE SEAT DURING IMPACT AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO MY 20 MONTHS CHILD. THE BMW DEALERS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AND CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE ONLY COSMETIC PROBLEMS. BUT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RETESTED BY NHTSA FOR THE SEAT ISSUES AND RECALL THE VEHICLES FOR SUCH PROBLEM DUE TO CHILDRENS' SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

Mileage: 500

Compare 2008BMWX6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 BMW X6 have?
The 2008 BMW X6 has 5 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 BMW X6?
Yes, the 2008 BMW X6 has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW X6?
The most-complained component for the 2008 BMW X6 is SEATS with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2008 BMW X6 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.