Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 6 Series | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 6 Series | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 6 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 6 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2008 6 Series | 6 | 2 |
| 2007 6 Series | 2 | 3 |
| 2006 6 Series | 5 | 5 |
| 2005 6 Series | 7 | 3 |
| 2004 6 Series | 3 | 4 |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Electrical system8
- Air bags6
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Unknown or other2
- Tires2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Seats2
- Power train2
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2019 BMW 6 Series 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 BMW 6 Series 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 BMW 6 Series 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 BMW 6 Series 2 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
In New Zealand
991 6 Series cars are on the New Zealand register; 67% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| 2018 | 19 | 4 | 15 |
| 2017 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 2016 | 17 | 9 | 7 |
| 2015 | 25 | 9 | 16 |
| 2014 | 77 | 13 | 60 |
| 2013 | 93 | 32 | 60 |
| 2012 | 79 | 13 | 63 |
| 2011 | 32 | 13 | 18 |
| 2010 | 17 | 3 | 13 |
| 2009 | 25 | 3 | 21 |
| 2008 | 50 | 7 | 40 |
| 2007 | 71 | 6 | 60 |
| 2006 | 104 | 13 | 86 |
| 2005 | 85 | 24 | 59 |
| 2004 | 98 | 47 | 47 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1989 | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| 1988 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| 1987 | 24 | 13 | 8 |
| 1986 | 31 | 21 | 7 |
| 1985 | 24 | 13 | 10 |
| 1984 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| 1983 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| 1982 | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| 1981 | 14 | 3 | 10 |
| 1980 | 13 | 4 | 8 |
| 1979 | 14 | 2 | 11 |
| 1978 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1977 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
3,846 6 Series cars are on Dutch roads; 56% arrived later as imports, and 599 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 34 | €107,012 |
| 2021 | 48 | €105,405 |
| 2020 | 81 | €101,217 |
| 2019 | 152 | €99,613 |
| 2018 | 342 | €104,651 |
| 2017 | 103 | €118,734 |
| 2016 | 81 | €131,678 |
| 2015 | 108 | €131,420 |
| 2014 | 147 | €128,300 |
| 2013 | 204 | €129,573 |
| 2012 | 255 | €128,497 |
| 2011 | 222 | €130,419 |
| 2010 | 28 | €127,506 |
| 2009 | 55 | €131,855 |
| 2008 | 96 | €130,236 |
| 2007 | 161 | €124,736 |
| 2006 | 229 | €124,150 |
| 2005 | 277 | €121,366 |
| 2004 | 419 | €123,711 |
| 1989 | 21 | — |
| 1988 | 25 | — |
| 1987 | 38 | — |
| 1986 | 68 | — |
| 1985 | 82 | — |
| 1984 | 67 | — |
| 1983 | 81 | — |
| 1982 | 78 | — |
| 1981 | 47 | — |
| 1980 | 58 | — |
| 1979 | 60 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
762 6 Series cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 46% petrol, 54% diesel; 1% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 | 138,000 km |
| 2021 | 13 | 97,000 km |
| 2020 | 23 | 126,000 km |
| 2019 | 44 | 128,000 km |
| 2018 | 55 | 133,000 km |
| 2017 | 20 | 130,000 km |
| 2016 | 18 | 156,000 km |
| 2015 | 45 | 160,000 km |
| 2014 | 45 | 189,000 km |
| 2013 | 60 | 193,000 km |
| 2012 | 86 | 180,000 km |
| 2011 | 48 | 156,000 km |
| 2010 | 10 | 153,000 km |
| 2009 | 14 | 174,000 km |
| 2008 | 49 | 244,000 km |
| 2007 | 34 | 211,000 km |
| 2006 | 51 | 199,000 km |
| 2005 | 43 | 200,000 km |
| 2004 | 66 | 214,000 km |
| 1987 | 5 | 134,000 km |
| 1986 | 7 | 222,000 km |
| 1985 | 12 | 185,000 km |
| 1984 | 5 | 155,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 329 6 Series cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 5 of those collisions were fatal and 72 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 54 | 1 | 6 |
| 2024 | 54 | 1 | 13 |
| 2023 | 78 | 1 | 19 |
| 2022 | 77 | 1 | 18 |
| 2021 | 66 | 1 | 16 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
19,659 6 Series cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | — |
| 2020 | 224 | 7 |
| 2019 | 983 | 14 |
| 2018 | 2,194 | 62 |
| 2017 | 1,276 | 48 |
| 2016 | 1,724 | 88 |
| 2015 | 1,834 | 117 |
| 2014 | 1,823 | 148 |
| 2013 | 1,769 | 178 |
| 2012 | 1,291 | 233 |
| 2011 | 548 | 87 |
| 2010 | 455 | 103 |
| 2009 | 504 | 114 |
| 2008 | 876 | 290 |
| 2007 | 958 | 332 |
| 2006 | 1,073 | 523 |
| 2005 | 950 | 546 |
| 2004 | 752 | 768 |
| 2003 | 13 | 12 |
| 2000 | 1 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| 1991 | 0 | 3 |
| 1990 | 13 | 47 |
| 1989 | 70 | 206 |
| 1988 | 49 | 153 |
| 1987 | 22 | 128 |
| 1986 | 39 | 162 |
| 1985 | 33 | 137 |
| 1984 | 48 | 93 |
| 1983 | 39 | 75 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
23,307 6 Series cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 80% passed first time, against 69% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 246 | 89% |
| 2019 | 1,085 | 90% |
| 2018 | 2,362 | 87% |
| 2017 | 1,355 | 84% |
| 2016 | 1,878 | 84% |
| 2015 | 2,003 | 83% |
| 2014 | 2,049 | 82% |
| 2013 | 2,081 | 80% |
| 2012 | 1,615 | 80% |
| 2011 | 648 | 79% |
| 2010 | 572 | 76% |
| 2009 | 620 | 75% |
| 2008 | 1,176 | 76% |
| 2007 | 1,307 | 74% |
| 2006 | 1,539 | 72% |
| 2005 | 1,394 | 70% |
| 2004 | 1,235 | 69% |
| 1989 | 142 | 80% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | 6 Series | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 1.5% | 6.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 0.7% | 12.5% |
| Suspension | 0.7% | 10.0% |
| Brakes | 0.4% | 7.5% |
| Visibility | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | 3.5% |
| Road Wheels | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.1% | 4.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
61,319 new BMW 6 Series cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (507), Poland (91), Belgium (86).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 994 | 171 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 1,248 | 171 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1,931 | 183 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 5,005 | 189 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 9,321 | 199 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 4,473 | 162 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 4,924 | — |
| 2015 | 6,370 | — |
| 2014 | 6,627 | — |
| 2013 | 7,213 | — |
| 2012 | 7,430 | — |
| 2011 | 3,865 | — |
| 2010 | 1,918 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
1,150 BMW 6 Series cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions average 7.7 l/100 km on the road, against 6.4 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 20% more.
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol hybrid | 325 | 9.8 | 8.3 | +18% |
| Diesel hybrid | 825 | 7.7 | 6.4 | +20% |
Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0
What it costs in fuel
On real-world figures the diesel hybrid BMW 6 Series uses 7.7 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 1,150 litres: €2,600 at this week's average price in Germany, its largest market in Europe.
| Country | Diesel hybrid | Petrol hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | €2,600 | €3,187 |
| United Kingdom | £2,287 | £2,553 |
| France | €2,692 | €3,260 |
| Belgium | €2,697 | €2,908 |
| Italy | €2,575 | €2,948 |
| United States | $1,902 | $1,655 |
Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.
Work it out for your driving
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the 6 Series in 8 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to build up at the lowest point inside the relay. These deposits may increase relay contact resistance, leading to starting fail…
A seam on the inflator housing of the driver airbag may not have been correctly welded. In case of accident, when the airbag is deployed, the inflator can burst, releasing metal parts which could cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation …
The propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupa…
A component of the steering mechanism might not have been fitted correctly. This might lead to considerably increased steering force being required or to a loss of steering control.
The front safety belts may have a faulty locking mechanism.
The bolt on the outside of the seat mechanism of both front seats may not have been properly secured. If the bolt comes loose, the seat can move backwards in the event of a rear-end collision accident, which would increase the risk of injury to the occupants.
The side, head and knee protection airbags of the front passenger seat may not work. This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of an accident.
The universal joint of the drive shaft may break and cause a sudden loss of drive. The rotating drive shaft may also cause damage.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
9 campaigns cover the 6 Series.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A SENSING SYSTEM TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THIS SENSING IS PROGRAMMED TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A SMALL ADULT OR CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS. PLACING CERTAIN CHILD SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DESIGNED TO RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NUTS WHICH SECURE THE FRONT AXLE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT TO THE FRONT WHEEL HUB MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OVER TIME THE NUTS COULD LOOSEN AND THE CONTROL ARM AND TENSION STRUT COULD BE DAMAGED.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8-CYLINDER ENGINES, A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INSTALLED.
NHTSA recalls