Total Complaints
2 filings
BMW X6 M · model year
2012 BMW X6 M
2 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012BMWX6 M carries 2 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. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 X6 M is engine with 2 filings. 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2012 X6 M. 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.
2
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated
· Front: Not Rated/5
· Side: Not Rated/5
· Rollover: Not Rated/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2 |
Recalls (1)
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
Recent Complaints
20190328ENGINE
I OWN A 2012 BMW X6 M. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK-ENGINE INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE "STABILITY CONTROL INACTIVE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (BELLEVUE BMW, 13617 NE 20TH ST, BELLEVUE, WA 98005) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS 79,000. ALL SERVICES AND OIL CHANGES HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON-TIME AND BY EITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR BY FACTORY-APPROVED FACILITIES,
Mileage: 79,000
20181005ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X6 M. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE "STABILITY CONTROL INACTIVE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AND THE WARNING INDICATOR AND MESSAGE NO LONGER DISPLAYED. MOMENTS LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (DRYER AND REINBOLD BMW, 9375 WHITLEY DR, INDIANAPOLIS, IN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER ROD BEARING HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. ALSO, METAL SHAVINGS WERE PRESENT IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Mileage: 78,000
Compare 2012BMWX6 M to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 BMW X6 M have?▼
The 2012 BMW X6 M has 2 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 BMW X6 M?▼
The 2012 BMW X6 M received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 BMW X6 M?▼
Yes, the 2012 BMW X6 M has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW X6 M?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 BMW X6 M is ENGINE with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include various components.
Is the 2012 BMW X6 M safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 BMW X6 M has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.