2008 BMW 6 Series
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 6 of 12 complaints (50%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 24 in 2007 to 12 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–4,850 | 4,300–4,850 | 4,300–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–18 | 15–18 | 16–18 | 16–18 | 16–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–15 / 19–23 | 13–15 / 19–23 | 14–15 / 21–23 | 14–15 / 21–23 | 14–15 / 21–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–592 | 494–592 | 494–555 | 494–555 | 494–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 26 | 24 | 12 | 4 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 6 Series have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 BMW 6 Series?
Electrical: 6 of 12 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 6 Series get?
EPA rates it 16–18 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 BMW 6 Series?
EPA estimates $4,300–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $4,300 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · Campaign 12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012
Defect: 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.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM · Campaign 10V446000 · Oct 1, 2010
Defect: 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.
Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.