2016 BMW X6

The defect

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.

The risk

Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.

The remedy

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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 32,760 vehicles across all model years covered

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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 substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

52,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The vehicle was parked inside the garage, and the contact was unable to turn to the right or the left. The message "Power Steering Lock" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that a mobile mechanic inspected the vehicle and used a personal OBD scanner to retrieve a fault code for the electronic power steering (EPS) not communicating as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V704000 (STEERING). However, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure …

NHTSA complaint 11696408, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I am reaching out regarding a serious issue with my 2016 BMW X6 M, which suffered a driveshaft failure. I understand that certain BMW models were recalled for similar issues, but my vehicle was not included. Given the severity of the damage and the number of similar complaints online, I believe this issue warrants further review. Recently, while driving on the freeway, my vehicle experienced a sudden failure, requiring it to be towed to a repair shop. There were no warnings or indications that anything was wrong. Upon inspection, the mechanics determined that the driveshaft had come loose, causing extensive damage to the undercarriage and transmission. Due to the severity of the issue, …

NHTSA complaint 11657880, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

130,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a misfire in cylinder number #5, and the water pump had failed due to a ground short circuit failure. The contact replaced the spark plugs and recharged the battery, and the check engine warning light was reset; however, the vehicle scanner continued to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes indicating the water pump failure due to the short circuit of the electrical ground. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified …

NHTSA complaint 11637573, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

150,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to local mechanic who informed the contact that the driveshaft had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA complaint 11575842. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

34,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to use the turn signal while making a right turn however, the system failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Instrument panel failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the instrument panel intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was concerned that the instrument panel could fail to display safety warnings. The vehicle was not repaired. The …

NHTSA complaint 11509276, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I was driving down the street and the drive shaft broke and when that broke it hit my exhaust and broke my transmission cooler

NHTSA complaint 11451818. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.