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BMW F16 X6 common problems
2015–2019 · sDrive35i / xDrive35i, xDrive50i (N55, N63 V8). The known weak spots of the engines used in the F16, 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
sDrive35i / xDrive35i (2015–2019) · 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 F16:
- 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 F16:
- SIB 01 01 21 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/G11 and other models (2016–2022); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Nov 2024
- 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
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
xDrive50i (2015–2019) · 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 F16:
- 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 11 01 13 N63 and N63T engine N63 and N63T engine on M57/N20/N52/N54/N55/N57/N62/N63/N74/S63 engines (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Oct 2018
- SIB 11 01 17 N63T and S63T engine N63T and S63T engine on N63 engines (2012–2017); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service bulletin · Nov 2017
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 F16:
- SIB 01 02 20 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on BMW F15/F16 models (2014–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2020
- SIB 01 12 18 Crankcase ventilation warranty extension Crankcase ventilation warranty extension on N63 engines (2013–2015); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Sep 2018
- SIB 13 03 15 N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines on N20/N55/N63/S55 engines (2006–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Apr 2017
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 F16:
- SIB 11 11 17 Timing chain leak Timing chain leak on BMW G11/G12/G30/G31 and other models (2008–2018); BMW gives diagnosis and repair guidance. Service bulletin · Sep 2018
N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V): prices → N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks): prices →
Most frequent bulletin topics 180 bulletins
| Topic | Bulletins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Key fob | 4 | SIB 61 27 23, SIB 61 22 19 |
| Camera | 4 | SIB 66 05 23, SIB 66 20 16 |
| Steering | 3 | SIB 66 24 19, SIB 36 01 21 |
| Axle ticking | 3 | SIB 34 05 15, SIB 34 08 14 |
| Door | 3 | SIB 51 30 19, SIB 51 12 22 |
| Air conditioning | 3 | SIB 64 08 21, SIB 64 02 17 |
| Brakes | 3 | SIB 61 09 20, SIB 34 08 16 |
| Radio | 3 | SIB 65 06 17, SIB 65 07 17 |
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the F16, 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 7
- child seat · 1 recall19V823
- camera · 1 recall19V684
- rear · 1 recall18V680
- lugs/nuts/bolts/studs · 1 recall18V614
- lower arm · 1 recall18V439
- suspension · 1 recall17V727
- labels · 1 recall17V327
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 F16
- 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 65 01 22 Air bags warranty extension Air bags warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/F26/F97 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jan 2025
- SIB 65 02 22 Air bags warranty extension Air bags warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/F16 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jan 2025
- SIB 01 01 21 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/G11 and other models (2016–2022); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Nov 2024
- SIB 01 02 22 Communication class-action settlement Communication class-action settlement on BMW E60/E82/F01/F02 and other models (2009–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Feb 2022
- SIB 01 11 21 Intercooler warranty extension Intercooler warranty extension on BMW F16 models (2015–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2021
- 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 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
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.