Recall 18V680 covers 108 2019 BMW X6 and X6 M vehicles with improperly hardened rear control arm bolts. Free repair at a franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 108 2019 X6 and X6 M vehicles because rear upper control arm pivot bolts have improper hardening, which can let the control arms break. A broken rear upper control arm can affect handling and control, and BMW dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The rear upper control arm is part of the rear suspension on the 2019 BMW X6 and X6 M. It links the wheel hub area to the body structure and helps hold the rear wheel at the correct angle as the suspension moves. Under normal driving, that arm carries load every time the vehicle turns, brakes, or travels over uneven pavement.
On the recalled vehicles, the pivot bolts for the rear upper control arms were not hardened correctly during supplier production. Hardening is the heat-treatment step that gives the metal the strength it needs. If the bolt is too weak, the control arm joint can lose support and the rear upper control arm can break instead of holding the wheel position.
There is no warning sign before failure. A BMW dealer needs to inspect the affected rear suspension parts and replace the faulty hardware under the recall.
Who's affected?
Includes both X6 and X6 M versions for the 2019 model year, with rear suspension listed as the shared component.
| 2019 BMW X6 | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2019 BMW X6 M | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 108 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A broken rear upper control arm affects handling and vehicle control, which increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair before putting the vehicle back into regular use and avoid hard driving until it is fixed. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 BMW X6 or X6 M is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free rear upper control-arm replacement that fixes the break-prone rear suspension arms.
- Reference recall number 18V680 when you call, since BMW said affected vehicles were on dealer lots and owner letters were not mailed.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete; the issue can affect handling and control if a rear upper control arm breaks.
- Bring any sale paperwork or service records if you bought the vehicle used, and ask the dealer to confirm the recall repair in BMW's system.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces both rear upper control arms covered by the recall. The work addresses rear upper control arm pivot bolts that were improperly hardened and allows the dealer to replace the affected arm assemblies before retail delivery. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Because the affected vehicles were still on dealer lots, BMW is not offering reimbursement for this campaign.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| September 21, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| September 28, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
| September 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 28, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V680?
Recall 18V680 covers 108 2019 BMW X6 and X6 M vehicles with rear upper control arm pivot bolts that were improperly hardened. If a rear upper control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing crash risk. BMW dealers replace both rear upper control arms for free.
What should I do if my 2019 BMW X6 or X6 M is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V680. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule replacement of both rear upper control arms. Reference recall 18V680 when you call. The remedy has been available since September 21, 2018.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will replace both rear upper control arms free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised BMW dealer.
Is it safe to drive my BMW X6 with this recall?
The recall risk is loss of handling and control if a rear upper control arm breaks. Check your VIN before driving more than necessary. If your vehicle is included, ask a franchised BMW dealer how to handle transportation to the service department.
Will BMW mail owner letters for recall 18V680?
No. BMW's remedy states that all affected vehicles remained on dealer lots, so owner letters were not mailed. If you own a 2019 BMW X6 or X6 M, use the VIN check to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V680000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V680 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V680000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →