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BMW X6 E71 problems (2007–2014)

All 3 engines of the BMW X6 E71 that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the BMW N57, the BMW N62 / N63 and the BMW N54/N55. None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the BMW N54/N55, with a «With caution» verdict.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Outside the engine: Away from the engine, the BMW X6 E71 stands out, according to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, for the all-wheel-drive system (front propshaft and xDrive transfer case) and the electric parking brake. We have not found any official campaigns for these faults.[7][8]

BMW X6 E71 (2007–2014)
Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.1out of 10

BMW X6 E71 rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 17 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine3.7From 1.3 to 5.2 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox7.32 faults
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes7.91 fault
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.91 fault
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the BMW X6 E71

  1. 1Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireBMW N57 engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Rear timing chain wearBMW N57 engine
  3. 3High severity: Loss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuatorBMW N57 engine
  4. 4High severity: N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem sealsBMW N62 / N63 engine
  5. 5High severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failureBMW N54/N55 engine

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

22 sourcesHow we work

BMW N57

BMW N57 (N57D30) · Diesel

In the X6 E71
2010–2014[8][9]
Name
xDrive40d
Faults that affect it
4 · 3 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
87
Very high risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • N57D30 299-313 hp twin turbo (T0/T1, 2009-2019)2009–2019 · 299–313 hp · N57D30T0, N57D30T1, N57D30TOP

    With caution

    It shares the general timing chain risk and the EGR campaign, and adds the documented risk of loss of thrust through the vacuum circuit or the actuator of the two turbos.[10][11]

Faults that affect the X6 E71

  1. Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlEGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireYes: like the N47 and B47, the N57 is covered by BMW's service campaign for EGR cooler leaks, which can mix coolant with soot and oil to combustion temperatures. BMW checks free of charge the 6-cylinder engines built between July 2012 and June 2015 because of the fire risk.
  2. Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingRear timing chain wearThe N57 inherits from the N47 the timing chain at the rear of the block, next to the gearbox, which complicates any repair. Unlike the N47, there is no documented campaign or wave of mass claims, and cases of serious wear appear mainly above 200,000 km.
  3. High severityFrequency: CommonTurboLoss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuatorOn the twin-turbo versions (335d, 535d, xDrive35d/40d) it is common to lose thrust at low revs because of a degraded vacuum circuit or dirt in the actuator that synchronises the turbos, not because of a mechanical turbo failure. The variable-geometry turbo is also cited, more generically.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonOtherCrankshaft pulley vibration damper wearThe N57's crankshaft vibration damper (pulley) wears with use and, according to a technical guide to the engine, usually needs replacing between 80,000 and 120,000 km, giving warning with abnormal noises before failing completely.Appears at around 80,000 km

X6 E71 BMW N57 pageAll versions and faults of the BMW N57

BMW N62 / N63

BMW V8 de gasolina N62 (atmosférico) and N63 (biturbo) · Petrol

In the X6 E71
2008–2014[12]
Name
xDrive50i
Faults that affect it
4 · 3 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
54
High risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • N63B44O0 4.4 twin-turbo 408 hp (2008-2014)2008–2014 · 408 hp · N63B44O0, N63B44

    Avoid

    Gebrauchtwagenberater advises against the 550i with this N63 because of oil consumption (valve stem seals) and the stretched chain, and recommends a car built after July 2013; fiches-auto describes it as the big weak point of the petrol range.[13][14]

Faults that affect the X6 E71

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The BMW N62 / N63 has 6 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationN63 oil consumption from worn valve stem sealsYes: the original N63 is known for using oil and the German press attributes it to worn valve stem seals. Gebrauchtwagenberater gives €3,000-4,500 as a repair reference in Germany.
  2. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingN63 timing chain stretch and guide breakageOn the N63 the timing chain can stretch and the sliding guide can break, leaving plastic debris in the sump and risking serious engine damage. We have found no European recall for this reason.
  3. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboAdditional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingN63 coolant loss and cracks in the cylinder headThe N63 loses coolant fairly often: Gebrauchtwagenberater cites it on the 550i, the X5 50i and others, along with cracks in the spark plug well. Owner reports add hoses and the water pump.

X6 E71 BMW N62 / N63 pageAll versions and faults of the BMW N62 / N63

BMW N54/N55

Safest option

BMW N54 biturbo and N55 monoturbo 3.0 (N54B30 / N55B30) · Petrol

In the X6 E71
2008–2014[6][15]
Name
xDrive35i
Faults that affect it
5 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
48
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • N54B30 302 hp (2006-2010)2006–2010 · 302 hp · N54B30

    With caution

    It is the engine with the most documented faults in the family: high-pressure pump, injectors and wastegates; check which parts have already been replaced.[1][2][3]

  • N54 322 hp (2008-2013)2008–2013 · 322 hp · N54B30

    With caution

    It is the engine with the most documented faults in the family: high-pressure pump, injectors and wastegates; check which parts have already been replaced.[1][2][3]

  • N55B30M0 302 hp (2009-2018)2009–2018 · 302 hp · N55B30M0

    With caution

    Simpler than the N54 (one turbo and solenoid injectors), but it keeps the oil leaks from the filter housing and the electric water pump; check both.[4][5][6]

Faults that affect the X6 E71

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonFuelHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failureThe N54's high-pressure pump is one of its best-documented failures: most units will have had it replaced at some point. It warns of itself with long cranking and loss of power; the 2010 campaign was US-only.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionN54 piezoelectric injector failureThe N54's piezoelectric injectors can clog or leak and cause intermittent misfires. The N55 has solenoid injectors, so it does not share this weak point.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonTurboTurbo wastegate noise and failureOn the N54 the wastegate rods work loose and produce a metallic rattle; over time they reduce boost pressure. On the N55 it is the electric actuator that fails.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingElectric water pump and thermostat failureThe electric water pump on the N54 and N55 fails without warning, at around 100,000-150,000 km, and is usually replaced together with the thermostat. If not dealt with, the engine overheats.
  5. Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leak from the oil filter housing gasketThe oil filter housing gasket on the N54 and N55 leaks oil as it ages; the oil can drip onto the auxiliary drive belt, and there are also leaks from the valve cover.

X6 E71 BMW N54/N55 pageAll versions and faults of the BMW N54/N55

Faults of the BMW X6 E71 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used BMW X6 E71

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the BMW N57 (2010–2014)

EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire

Critical severity

Rear timing chain wear

Critical severity

Loss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuator

High severity

Crankshaft pulley vibration damper wear

Medium severity

If it has the BMW N62 / N63 (2008–2014)

N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals

High severity

N63 timing chain stretch and guide breakage

Critical severity

Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fire

Critical severity

N63 coolant loss and cracks in the cylinder head

Medium severity

If it has the BMW N54/N55 (2008–2014)

High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure

High severity

N54 piezoelectric injector failure

Medium severity

Turbo wastegate noise and failure

Medium severity

Electric water pump and thermostat failure

Medium severity

Oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket

Medium severity

Buying a BMW X6 E71?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the BMW X6 E71 reliable?

All 3 engines of the BMW X6 E71 that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the BMW N57, the BMW N62 / N63 and the BMW N54/N55. None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the BMW N54/N55, with a «With caution» verdict. Away from the engine, the BMW X6 E71 stands out, according to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, for the all-wheel-drive system (front propshaft and xDrive transfer case) and the electric parking brake. We have not found any official campaigns for these faults.

Which BMW X6 E71 engine is the most reliable?

Among the 3 engines we have documented, none has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the BMW N54/N55, with a «With caution» verdict. It is the engine with the most documented faults in the family: high-pressure pump, injectors and wastegates; check which parts have already been replaced.[1][2][3]

What problems does the BMW X6 E71 have apart from the engine?

Away from the engine, the BMW X6 E71 stands out, according to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, for the all-wheel-drive system (front propshaft and xDrive transfer case) and the electric parking brake. We have not found any official campaigns for these faults. The most important documented faults are: xDrive transfer case failure on the X6 E71 (gearbox and clutch, high severity), electric parking brake lock-up on the X6 E71 (brakes, high severity), broken front propshaft on the X6 E71 (gearbox and clutch, high severity) and wear of the steering rack and power steering pump on the X6 E71 (steering, high severity).[7][8]

What faults does the BMW X6 E71 have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire (BMW N57, critical severity), rear timing chain wear (BMW N57, critical severity), loss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuator (BMW N57, high severity), n63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals (BMW N62 / N63, high severity) and high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure (BMW N54/N55, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a BMW X6 E71?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2009 and 2008 (5.7/10); the worst rated is 2012 (5.3/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. BMW N54Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  2. Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el motor BMW N54High Performance Academy · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  3. The Definitive Guide to the BMW N54 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  4. BMW N55Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. BMW N55 Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 23 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  6. BMW N55 Common ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Tous les problèmes sur Bmw X6 2008-2014 (128 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  8. BMW X6 (first generation, in BMW X6)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. BMW N57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Motor BMW N57: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Motor BMW N57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. BMW N63Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. BMW 5er F10, F11: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (2010-2016) (252 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  15. BMW USA ruft 130.000 Fahrzeuge mit R6 Biturbo N54 freiwillig zurückBimmerToday · Motoring press · published 26 October 2010 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  16. 324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. BMW N57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  18. BMW 650i: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 4 December 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  19. Fiabilité Bmw Serie 7 (2009-2015) (49 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  20. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  21. BMW X5 E70 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  22. BMW N54 and N55 Turbo Problems: What Goes Wrong and How We Fix ThemForeign Automotive · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026