2004-2010, 2012-2019 BMW 6 Series Problems & Issues

BMW published a procedure for checking N63 engine timing chains for wear (elongation) on early production cars, to detect wear at an early stage and, if necessary, provide a repair. BMW states this check and the related N63 Customer Care Package are not mandatory technical campaigns or recalls. Applies to: F12 6 Series Convertible with the N63 engine produced 3/2011 to 7/2012 and F13 6 Series Coupe with the N63 engine produced 7/2011 to 7/2012 (SI B11 16 14).

BMW SIB 01 01 22 identifies U.S.-specification F12 650i and 650i xDrive vehicles from model years 2013-2018, F13 650i and 650i xDrive vehicles from model years 2013-2017, and F06 650i and 650i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles from model years 2013-2019 with the N63TU1 engine, subject to the production and class definitions in the bulletin. The settlement path concerns alleged excessive oil consumption; it does not establish valve-stem seals as the cause in every vehicle.

NHTSA campaign 12V-475 (September 2012) covers 2013 M6 Coupe and Convertible built July 19 to September 11, 2012 (with the 2013 M5). A manufacturing tolerance error allowed the oil pump's driveshaft to separate from the pump rotor, causing sudden total loss of oil pressure, engine stall and, if driven, catastrophic engine damage. This is specific to the S63TU twin-turbo V8 in the F12/F13 M6, not the N63 650i.

The S85 V10 in the 2006-2010 M6 shares the E60 M5's rod bearing issue: tight bearing clearances combined with the factory 10W-60 oil produce accelerated wear, and worn bearings can progress to a spun bearing and engine destruction. M5Board's picture thread and M6-specific threads show bearings pulled between roughly 60,000 and 100,000+ miles with copper showing through; cold-start knocking and metal in the oil are the late-stage signs. BMW's own position was that high-RPM use accelerates wear. This applies only to the S85 M6, not the N62 645Ci/650i.

Owners of N62 645Ci and 650i report exhaust smoke and oil consumption that they attribute to hardened valve stem seals. Applies to: E63/E64 645Ci and 650i with the N62 V8, reported by owners.

Owners of N62 V8 645Ci and 650i report oil leaking from the alternator bracket gasket on the front of the engine; owners describe it as a pressurized oil joint that can leak heavily, coating the alternator area and parts below it. Applies to: E63/E64 645Ci (N62B44) and 650i (N62B48) reported by owners.

The electric auxiliary coolant pump that cools the turbochargers after shutdown can short circuit and overheat; in rare cases this may cause a fire in the engine compartment. Under 12V161 the cause was a crack letting coolant into the pump's electronics; 18V248 added pumps whose circuit board can malfunction. BMW says a plastic burning smell or smoke from the front of the car may be a sign. Applies to: 12V161: 6 Series F12 with the N63 V8 produced April-August 2011. 18V248: 2012 650i and 650i xDrive Coupe and Convertible with the N63 V8, within the production ranges BMW lists.

Owners of N55-engined 640i cars report the electric coolant pump failing, with coolant-pump fault codes and reduced-power (limp) mode; one owner reports the fault returning after a warranty pump replacement. Applies to: F06/F12/F13 640i with the N55 inline-six, reported by owners.

The positive battery cable runs from the trunk-mounted battery to the engine through a bolted connection secured to the trunk floor by an insulated bulkhead connector. In very rare cases the connector may not be properly attached, the bolted joint can loosen over time, and this may cause electrical fluctuations, a no-start, or in extreme cases overheating that can lead to a fire in the trunk. Applies to: All E63 6 Series Coupe and E64 6 Series Convertible models (with E60/E61 5 Series) produced June 2003 to July 2010 (BMW SIB 61 14 12).

Owners report the iDrive screen showing only the BMW logo or going blank, with radio and navigation lost, on E63/E64 cars with the CCC navigation computer. Owner threads point to the CCC unit itself, its DVD drive, or a weak battery or display cable before the unit is condemned. Applies to: E63/E64 645Ci and 650i reported by owners (2004-2008 written range); cars with the iDrive navigation computer (CCC).

Owners of F-generation 6 Series cars with adaptive LED headlights report low-beam malfunction warnings and a dead low beam, often on the left side. Owners report that swapping the LED modules between sides did not cure it; some fixed it by replacing the headlight assembly, and one owner attributes the fault to the headlight's internal beam-adjusting mechanism. Applies to: F06/F12/F13 640i and 650i with adaptive LED headlights, reported by owners.

The wire to the ground and/or positive pin contacts of the in-tank fuel pump connector may be insufficiently crimped. Contact resistance can heat the pins and, in an extreme case, melt the plastic around them, so fuel may leak after refueling or while cornering, or the pump may stop, causing a no-start or, in rare cases, a stall without the ability to restart. Applies to: 2012 6 Series Convertible (640i, 650i, 650i xDrive) produced October 28, 2010 to June 10, 2011, and 2012 6 Series Coupe (650i, 650i xDrive) produced December 10, 2010 to June 10, 2011 (Part 573 report, vehicles 7-8).

The S85 uses separate throttle actuation for each bank. Actuation faults can cause reduced power, but the fault code and live position data identify a diagnostic path rather than uniquely proving worn gears. Mechanical, motor, electronic, supply and connection faults must be distinguished.

Engine oil may enter the brake booster vacuum supply line via the brake vacuum pump and contaminate the brake booster, which may damage its membrane. The membrane can then leak, which could lead to reduced or no brake power assistance; BMW notes the car can still be slowed and stopped by pressing the brake pedal harder. Applies to: 6 Series 645Ci and 650i (E63 coupe and E64 convertible) with the N62 or N62TU V8, produced September 30, 2003 to November 30, 2009 (BMW SI B34 04 10). The V10 M6 is not listed in the bulletin.

Owners of SMG-equipped 645Ci and M6 cars report the SMG hydraulic pump or its electric motor failing, with low-pressure faults, transmission malfunction warnings, shift hesitation and, in some cases, the car stuck in neutral. Applies to: E63/E64 cars with the SMG automated manual gearbox (6-speed SMG on 645Ci/650i, 7-speed SMG III on the M6), reported by owners.

Two separate driver front air bag recalls cover small production windows of the F-generation 6 Series. In 17V495, incorrectly welded Takata PSDI-X inflators could separate from the base plate during deployment and send metal debris toward occupants. In 24V527, a Takata PSDI-X inflator may have a production anomaly and could rupture, which could injure or kill occupants. Applies to: 17V495: M6 Convertible (F12) model years 2012-2013 produced May 14 to July 25, 2012, and M6 Coupe (F13) model year 2013 produced July 2 to November 23, 2012. 24V527: 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe (640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive) produced April 2 to May 9, 2014, and 2015 6 Series Convertible and Coupe (640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive) produced in April 2014. A 2012 640i or 650i is not in either recall.

Owners of E64 convertibles report the drains in the soft-top storage well blocking, so water overflows into the trunk, where it has soaked the carpet and damaged the trunk amplifier and other trunk electronics, with "central electronics failure" messages and loss of sound reported. BMW service bulletins SI B51 26 08 (September 2008) and SI B51 29 08 (November 2008) describe the same condition: the convertible top stowage compartment has four drains that can become blocked by leaves and debris, so water collects, overflows into the trunk and damages electronic components; SI B51 26 08 modifies the rear water drain hoses. This applies to E64 6 Series Convertible (645Ci, 650i, M6 Convertible); the E63 coupe has no top well.

Owners of E64 convertibles report the power soft top refusing to move or stopping, and hydraulic fluid leaking from a lift cylinder or its line. Causes in the threads include leaking cylinders or lines, low fluid in the top pump reservoir and loose electrical connections. Applies to: E64 6 Series Convertible (645Ci, 650i, M6 Convertible), 2004-2010, reported by owners.

Owners of E63/E64 cars with Dynamic Drive report "Dynamic Drive malfunction" warnings, sometimes intermittent. Causes named in the threads include low or dirty fluid in the shared hydraulic reservoir, charging-system over-voltage, and a failed valve block or sensor. Applies to: E63/E64 645Ci and 650i equipped with Dynamic Drive (active roll stabilization), reported by owners.