BMW 6 Series E63 common faults.

2003–2010. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical2

Electric water pump: silent failure, immediate overheating

critical

In these engines the water pump is not belt driven but has its own electric motor.

Applies to the engine N52B30, N53B30.

N52 / N55: aluminium bolts of the VANOS housing can loosen

critical

Four aluminium bolts hold the housing of the variable valve timing (VANOS).

Applies to the engine N52B30.

expensive6

Crankcase ventilation (CCV) in the valve cover: oil consumption, rough running

expensive

The crankcase ventilation leads the gas that forms in the crankcase back to the intake and separates the oil out of it on the way.

Applies to the engine N52B30.

Repair: 80–900 EUR

N54 / N55: high pressure fuel pump

expensive

This is the most common N54 fault, and it affects early N55 engines too.

Applies to the engine N53B30.

Coolant pipe in the V valley: it leaks inwards, and the factory repair is 40 hours

expensive

The seals of the coolant pipe running between the cylinder banks harden, and the coolant starts to leak.

Applies to the engine N62B44, N62B48TU.

Alternator bracket gasket: it carries oil passages and leaks into the V valley

expensive

Oil passages run inside the bracket of the alternator, and the gasket of the bracket goes brittle from the heat of the engine and then cracks.

Applies to the engine N62B44, N62B48TU.

N43 / N53 lean burn petrol: injectors, ignition coils, NOx sensor

expensive

The N43 (four cylinder) and the N53 (six cylinder) are direct injection petrol engines built for lean burn operation.

Applies to the engine N53B30.

N62: the timing chain guide rails break

expensive

The plastic guides of the timing chain go brittle from the heat and can break.

Applies to the engine N62B44, N62B48TU.

6 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall3 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

A12/0202/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The universal joint of the drive shaft might break, causing a sudden loss of propulsion.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/02573/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/1067/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The battery positive (B+) transfer point in the boot may corrode. This can result in increased contact resistance, potentially leading to malfunction of the power supply and increased risk of fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

E63 · 2003–2010

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

34 versions

EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody

Neighbouring generations

E63 · 2003–2010

E63/E64 (2003-2010). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

E63 · 2003–2010

Next generation

F12 · 2011–2018

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2003–2010. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.

Details in the terms