2012 BMW X6 problems
The 2012 BMW X6 was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the BMW N57, the BMW N62 / N63 and the BMW N54/N55. The BMW N57 and the BMW N62 / N63 have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the BMW N54/N55 (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as xDrive transfer case failure on the X6 E71.
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2012 BMW X6 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 16 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine4.1From 1.3 to 6.2 depending on the engine
- Gearbox7.32 faults
- Suspension8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes8.31 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 BMW X6
- Score: 5.9 → 5.5
- No longer affected by: additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fire (BMW N62 / N63)
- Starts to be affected by: eGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire (BMW N57)
BMW N57 engine in the 2012 BMW X6
Names: xDrive40d
- With caution
N57D30 299-313 hp twin turbo (T0/T1, 2009-2019)
299–313 hp · N57D30T0, N57D30T1, N57D30TOP
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.[3][4]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
BMW N62 / N63 engine in the 2012 BMW X6
Names: xDrive50i
- Avoid
N63B44O0 4.4 twin-turbo 408 hp (2008-2014)
408 hp · N63B44O0, N63B44
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.[6][7]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
BMW N54/N55 engine in the 2012 BMW X6
Names: xDrive35i
- With caution
N54 322 hp (2008-2013)
322 hp · N54B30
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.[10][11][12]
- With caution
N55B30M0 302 hp (2009-2018)
302 hp · N55B30M0
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.[9][13][14]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionOil in the spark plug wells from the rocker cover gasketOn the N54 and N55 the rocker cover gasket hardens with age and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells. Guides treat it as a known fault: it smells of burnt oil and can damage spark plugs and coils.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 BMW X6
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchxDrive transfer case failure on the X6 E71According to fiches-auto.fr, the X6 E71's transfer case appears in 8 mentions out of 128 testimonies, with 4x4/DSC warnings, jerking during manoeuvres and vibrations; one case cites a destroyed case at 184,000 km (2010 model).
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesElectric parking brake lock-up on the X6 E71According to fiches-auto.fr, the X6 E71's electric parking brake appears in at least 5 mentions out of 128 testimonies, with brakes stuck on or inoperative (one case at 105,000 km, 2010 model) because of the module, actuator or cable.
- High severityFrequency: RareGearbox and clutchBroken front propshaft on the X6 E71According to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, the X6 E71's front propshaft has broken in several cases (at 100,000 and 142,000 km), with clunking on acceleration and vibration under the floor; the breakage can damage the transfer case and the differential.Appears at around 100,000 km
- High severityFrequency: RareSteeringWear of the steering rack and power steering pump on the X6 E71According to fiches-auto.fr, the X6 E71's power steering appears in 2 mentions: heavy steering and play in the steering rack. One testimony cites €3,700 for replacing the rack at 110,000 km, and fatigue of the electric pump is mentioned.Appears at around 110,000 km
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 BMW X6 reliable?
The 2012 BMW X6 was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the BMW N57, the BMW N62 / N63 and the BMW N54/N55. The BMW N57 and the BMW N62 / N63 have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the BMW N54/N55 (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as xDrive transfer case failure on the X6 E71.
Is the 2012 BMW X6 better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 5.9 in 2011 to 5.5 in 2012. No longer affected by: additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fire (BMW N62 / N63). Starts to be affected by: eGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire (BMW N57).
What is the best year for the BMW X6?
According to our score, the best are 2011, 2009 and 2008 (5.9/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (5.5/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 BMW X6 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: eGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire (BMW N57, critical severity), rear timing chain wear (BMW N57, critical severity), n63 timing chain stretch and guide breakage (BMW N62 / N63, critical severity), loss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuator (BMW N57, high severity) and n63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals (BMW N62 / N63, high severity).
Own a 2012 BMW X6? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW X6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- BMW N57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Motor BMW N57: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Motor BMW N57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- BMW N63Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- BMW 5er F10, F11: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (2010-2016) (252 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
- BMW USA ruft 130.000 Fahrzeuge mit R6 Biturbo N54 freiwillig zurückBimmerToday · Motoring press · published 26 October 2010 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
- BMW N55 Common ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
- BMW N54Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
- Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el motor BMW N54High Performance Academy · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
- The Definitive Guide to the BMW N54 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
- BMW N55Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
- BMW N55 Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 23 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German