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Your vehicleHome›BMW›X6› 2018
BMW · Large SUV

2018 BMW X6

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
75 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 4
Complaints1 fire reported 4
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 21 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 BMW X6 is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the X6 sDrive35i, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 4 complaints, most often about the service brakes.

BMW X6 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
BMW X6 · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
X6 sDrive35iGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182521$3,900
X6 xDrive35iGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182420$4,100
X6 xDrive50iGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
X6 MGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo141916$5,150

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39475, 39480, 39522, 39481.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-III ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
X6 xDrive50i3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
X6 M3 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-II ULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement3 L

Engine Output

Horsepower300 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, Blind-spot monitoring, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Parking assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes one configuration rather than every trim (seen: xDrive35i). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length193.3 in
Width (body, without mirrors)78.3 in
Height66.9 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Track, front64.6 in
Track, rear66.9 in
Curb weight4,751–5,170 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear49/51 to 52/48

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: xDrive 35I 4-door SUV, xDrive 50I 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2018 X6
Other years The 2027 X6 Recalls BMW recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 BMW X6 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Child Seat

32,760 vehicles 79% reported repaired built Mar 4, 2014 – May 16, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower anchor bars may become damaged over time when used with an ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system. Risk Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V823000 reported Nov 18, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Wheels

33 vehicles 85% reported repaired built Jul 15, 2018 – Jul 31, 2018
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles. The wheel bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened. Risk The improperly tightened wheel bolts may loosen and break, affecting vehicle handling and control and increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten all of the wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V614000 reported Sep 12, 2018 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

43 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jun 9, 2018 – Jun 9, 2018
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break. Risk If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V439000 reported Jun 28, 2018 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

33 vehicles 94% reported repaired built Oct 3, 2017 – Oct 17, 2017
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened. Risk Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V727000 reported Nov 17, 2017 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific X6

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. BMW publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →BMW’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 BMW X6, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 BMW X6

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this X6 →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
4complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

5.6 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 7,178 X6 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 1
Steering 1
Suspension 1
Unspecified 1
Tires 1
Power Train 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

During operation in DRIVE, the vehicle would shift to PARK, without the control lever being operated. This occurred intermittently, but with greater frequency over time. The safety concern is that it occurred while in traffic and even occurred on an Interstate highway, while at momentary stop.
Power Train Jan 13, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11447297
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X6 equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tires, Tire Size: 255/50/R19, DOT number: UN64P9784417. While his wife was driving 70 MPH, the passenger’s side rear tire delaminated two tread belts and began whipping inside of the wheel well.
Tires at 26,000 miles Jul 28, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11426789
Multiple issues with the front system and causes instability, issues with the suspension and the early warning system. Never was fixed properly from Bmw tenafly
Service Brakes at 34,000 miles Nov 24, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11281983

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by BMW itself: 5 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 5 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 70 per 100,000 built. Every X6 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every BMW warranty extension (46) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 168
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-01-21
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 167 service bulletins, 1 warranty extension

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Suspension, Wheels.

  • B010122 Service bulletin
    2026-01-21 · Engine
  • N63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR
  • B010121 Warranty extension
    2024-11-14 · Engine
  • For this vehicle, the engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, as determined from the original in-service date.
  • B510819 Service bulletin
    2024-01-16 · Visibility — Power Window Devices And Controls
  • The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
  • B611305 Service bulletin
    2024-01-11 · Electrical System
  • The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.
  • B541119 Service bulletin
    2024-01-08 · Structure
  • This bulletin outlines known areas of possible water entry, operational noise, or wind noise for the vehicles listed above. It serves only as a diagnostic resource in troubleshooting complaints from the roof area. This bulletin and the associated attachments are designed to provide one single diagnostic resource for troubleshooting all known issues related to the panoramic sunroof of BMW Sports
  • B360121 Service bulletin
    2024-01-08 · Steering
  • At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.
  • B612723 Service bulletin
    2023-12-08 · Electrical System
  • When using the Key Reader to retrieve CBS information from the customer key, no current vehicle data is available, or the data does not match the maintenance schedule.
  • B653423 Service bulletin
    2023-11-22 · Electrical System
  • Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 BMW X6 failed the emissions check on 2.4% of first inspections — lower than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.0% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 2.4%

failed emissions

385 initial inspections of 381 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 X6Every 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.4%3.0%383
Failed the safety inspection1.0%1.9%385
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.26%0.22%385
Miles driven a year9,58410,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer79,06382,833odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

X6 by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 1 23 mpg2026 B 2 3 23 mpg2025 C 4 1 24 mpg2024 C 5 9 24 mpg2023 A 1 1 23 mpg2022 A 1 5 23 mpg2021 D 7 7 23 mpg2020 F 11 9 23 mpg2019 C 4 5 20 mpg2018 this page C 4 4 21 mpg2017 B 2 3 21 mpg2016 A 1 9 21 mpg

Common questions about the 2018 X6

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 BMW X6 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 4 recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW X6. The most serious on file is 19V823000, covering Child Seat. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 BMW X6?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2018 BMW X6 yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it C (75/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 BMW X6?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 BMW X6, the best EPA combined figure is 21 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 BMW X6?

Transport Canada measured it at 193.3 in long, 78.3 in wide (body, without mirrors), 66.9 in tall, on a 115.4 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,751–5,170 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 BMW X6?

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X6, most often about service brakes, steering, suspension. Of those, 1 a fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 BMW X6?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 BMW X6 is 3 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-II ULEV, California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 BMW X6?

The manufacturer has filed 168 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW X6, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-01-21. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 BMW X6 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 BMW X6 failed the emissions check on 2.4% of first inspections — lower than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.0% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls4NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints4NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratingsnoneNHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins168NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 X6 The X6 model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every BMW recall on file All campaigns filed against BMW vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this X6 by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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