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BMW F12 6 Series and M6 common problems
2012–2019 · 640i / xDrive (coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe), 650i / xDrive, M6 (N55, N63 V8, S63 V8). The known weak spots of the engines used in the F12, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.
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N55 engine
640i / xDrive (coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe) (2012–2019) · N55 bulletins →
Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and oil pan leaks
The N55's most common repairs are oil leaks at the filter housing gasket, the plastic valve cover and the oil pan gasket.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
- SIB 13 07 20 Valve cover bolt torque check Valve cover bolt torque check on BMW G32/E60/E70/E71 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Dec 2020
- SIB 11 17 15 N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 and S63TU engines N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 and S63TU engines on N63/S63 engines (2007–2017); BMW shared service information. Service bulletin · Feb 2017
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices → N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices → N55 oil pan gasket: prices →
Electric water pump and thermostat
Like the N52 and N54, the N55 uses an electric coolant pump that eventually fails.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 12 18 13 Thermostat check engine light Thermostat check engine light on N63 engines (2009–2014); BMW released a software update. Service bulletin · Nov 2013
- SIB 11 05 13 Water pump leak Water pump leak on S63 engines (2013–2014); BMW gives an inspection and repair procedure. Service bulletin · Sep 2013
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →
Charge pipe cracks
The plastic charge pipe between turbo and intercooler can crack, causing a sudden loss of boost; it's a shared N55/S55 weak point.
N63 engine
650i / xDrive (2012–2019) · N63 bulletins →
Oil consumption and valve stem seals
BMW issued a dedicated N63/S63 valve seal replacement procedure for cars with verified excessive oil consumption, oil-fouled plugs or smoke.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 01 01 22 Oil consumption class-action settlement Oil consumption class-action settlement on BMW E60/F01/F02/F06 and other models (2009–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2026
- SIB 01 21 18 Oil consumption service information Oil consumption service information on BMW E60/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
- NHTSA 10162417 Oil consumption no-start Oil consumption no-start on N63 engines (2007–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke): prices →
Sources: BMW SIB: N63 and S63 valve seal replacement (NHTSA)
N63 Customer Care Package (injectors, sensors, vacuum pump, seals)
For 2009–2014 N63 cars BMW created the Customer Care Package: a check and, if needed, replacement of air mass sensors, piezo injectors, the vacuum pump, turbo intake seals and crankcase vent lines. It's not a recall, so ask a BMW center whether it was done.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 01 14 23 Crankcase vent valve (PCV) warranty extension Crankcase vent valve (PCV) warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G11/G12 and other models (2016–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2023
- SIB 11 12 16 Crankcase ventilation no-start Crankcase ventilation no-start on BMW E60/F01/F02/F06 and other models (2009–2017); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
- SIB 11 06 14 Engine service campaign Engine service campaign on N63 engines (2008–2015); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service campaign · Mar 2025
Sources: BMW SIB 11 06 14: N63 Customer Care Package (NHTSA)
Turbo coolant lines, valve cover gaskets and timing chains
Hot-vee heat cooks the turbo coolant lines and valve cover gaskets; timing chain stretch is another known item.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 11 16 14 Timing chain inspection Timing chain inspection on M57/N52/N54/N55/N57/N62/N63 engines (2007–2018); BMW gives an inspection and repair procedure. Service bulletin · Mar 2022
- SIB 13 07 20 Valve cover bolt torque check Valve cover bolt torque check on BMW G32/E60/E70/E71 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Dec 2020
- SIB 11 15 16 Turbocharger leak Turbocharger leak on B58 engines (2016–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jan 2019
N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V): prices → N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks): prices →
S63 engine
M6 (2012–2018) · S63 bulletins →
Oil consumption and valve stem seals
BMW's valve seal replacement bulletin covers the S63 in the X5 M and X6 M as well as the N63.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 01 01 22 Oil consumption class-action settlement Oil consumption class-action settlement on BMW E60/F01/F02/F06 and other models (2009–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2026
- SIB 01 21 18 Oil consumption service information Oil consumption service information on BMW E60/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
- NHTSA 10162417 Oil consumption no-start Oil consumption no-start on N63 engines (2007–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
Sources: BMW SIB: N63 and S63 valve seal replacement (NHTSA)
Rod bearings, coils and injectors
Rod bearing wear is discussed on early S63s; misfires from coils and injectors and turbo coolant leaks also show up.
BMW bulletins on file for the F12:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 17 01 21 Vent line cracking Vent line cracking on BMW G20/E90/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Apr 2022
- SIB 01 05 18 Misfire warranty extension Misfire warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G32/E60 and other models (2009–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2020
Most frequent bulletin topics 427 bulletins
| Topic | Bulletins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument cluster | 11 | SIB 12 19 19, SIB 62 06 13 |
| Navigation | 8 | SIB 65 09 19, NHTSA 10162434 |
| Check engine light | 7 | SIB 11 07 17, NHTSA 10162398 |
| Central display | 7 | SIB 61 05 24, SIB 61 09 21 |
| Seat | 7 | SIB 52 01 21, SIB 52 07 19 |
| Axle | 6 | SIB 31 01 12, NHTSA 10059080 |
| Battery | 6 | SIB 61 05 20, SIB 61 03 14 |
| Fuel injectors | 6 | SIB 12 38 14, SIB 13 04 13 |
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the F12, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.
NHTSA recalls by component 12
- driver's front air bag · 1 recall24V527
- brake lights · 1 recall20V094
- camera · 1 recall19V684
- inflator module · 1 recall17V495
- air bags · 1 recall16V914
- fuel pump · 1 recall16V746
- driveshaft · 1 recall16V540
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.
BMW warranty extensions that list the F12
- SIB 01 09 21 Fuel tank leak check warranty extension Fuel tank leak check warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G30/F97 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Aug 2026
- SIB 01 03 24 EVAP system warranty extension EVAP system warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G05/G06 and other models (2017–2025); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2026
- SIB 72 01 25 Seat belt warning message Seat belt warning message on BMW G11/G12/G30/G32 and other models (2015–2019); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Feb 2026
- SIB 01 01 22 Oil consumption class-action settlement Oil consumption class-action settlement on BMW E60/F01/F02/F06 and other models (2009–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2026
- SIB 72 04 17 Seat warranty extension Seat warranty extension on BMW F90/G01/G02/G05 and other models (2016–2022); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2025
- SIB 01 16 24 Telematics unit warranty extension Telematics unit warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G20/G30 and other models (2018–2020); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jan 2025
- SIB 32 02 23 Steering warranty extension Steering warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/G11 and other models (2015–2024); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jan 2024
- SIB 01 14 23 Crankcase vent valve (PCV) warranty extension Crankcase vent valve (PCV) warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G11/G12 and other models (2016–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2023
If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.
Repair prices for these engines
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat N55 oil pan gasket VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N55 ignition coils (all six) N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke) N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V) N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks)
Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.
Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.