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BMW X6 E71 (2007–2014)

BMW X6 E71 N57 (xDrive40d) problems

The BMW X6 E71 used the N57 from 2010 to 2014 (xDrive40d). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire” (critical severity, very frequent). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the BMW X6 E71, the safest option is the N54/N55.

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

Engine score on this car

1.3 out of 10Very low reliability

Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the X6 E71. How we calculate it

Overall score for the BMW X6 E71

5.3 out of 10Acceptable reliability

Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown

6 sourcesHow we work

BMW N57

BMW N57 (N57D30) · Diesel

In the X6 E71
2010–2014[1][2]
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.[3][4]

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

All versions and faults of the BMW N57

What to check before buying a used BMW X6 E71 N57 (xDrive40d)

Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.

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

Other engines and gearboxes of the BMW X6 E71

Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.

Faults of the BMW X6 E71 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.

Buying a BMW X6 E71 N57 (xDrive40d)?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the BMW X6 E71 N57 (xDrive40d) reliable?

The BMW X6 E71 used the N57 from 2010 to 2014 (xDrive40d). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire” (critical severity, very frequent). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the BMW X6 E71, the safest option is the N54/N55.

What faults does the BMW X6 E71 N57 (xDrive40d) have?

The documented ones that affect this car are: 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) and crankshaft pulley vibration damper wear (medium severity).

Which engine should you choose for the BMW X6 E71?

None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the BMW N54/N55, with a «With caution» verdict.

Own a BMW X6 E71 N57 (xDrive40d)? 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.

  1. BMW X6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Motor BMW N57: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Motor BMW N57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. 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
  6. BMW N57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026