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2012 BMW K 1600 GT Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Feb 27, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Fuel system642.9%
  • Steering214.3%
  • Suspension214.3%
  • Electrical17.1%
  • Engine17.1%
  • Brakes17.1%
  • Other / unspecified17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked, the contact became aware of a gasoline odor coming from the motorcycle. No warning lights were illuminated. The motorcycle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The motorcycle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 10,200.

NHTSA ID 11645332 · filed Feb 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 BMW K 1600 GT. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11429882 · filed Aug 20, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

URGENT Please. I want to Repair ASAP. I write as someone who is Knowledgeable about these issues. I have repaired my own Motorcycles and Cars for about 30 years now. I also have owned several BMW Motorcycles. This issue with this 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle is that the Front and Rear Shocks wear out very often. BMW installed these electronic shocks on these bikes and they are very cheaply made. You will find many many forums online where thousands of people have to replace these shocks at 8000, 10,000 or so miles. A week ago I took the bike to the Dealer where they replaced the Fuel Pump on a Recall, they confirmed the shocks were gone. Cost of the 2 Shocks WITHOUT Labor is over $5000 when you add labor it will be over $8000 which renders the Motorcycle TOTALED. I called BMW HQ and they REFUSED to replace or do anything about this. I own other much older BMW Motorcycles & They ALL have the ORIGINAL Shocks except this K1600 GT bike which has these CHEAP shocks which makes the bike DANGEROUS to ride and to steer. It also destroys Tires which are very expensive on this bike. BMW needs to pay for or REPLACE the Shocks and Tires on this bike and to make sure the steering mechanism is NOT damaged on this bike because of these Shocks. BMW claims this is a "Wear and Tear" item. This is their TOP of the LINE Motorcycle that cost $28,000 when new. Front and Rear shocks should NOT wear out so quickly and so often on these bikes as have been DOCUMENTED by so many owners. This bike has been Garaged for over 2 years because of the Shocks as it is not really Safe to ride. BMW SHOULD be MADE to pay for these Repairs and Replacements. The Date listed below is the Date when the local BMW dealer did the Fuel Pump Recall and confirmed that the shocks are DEAD. And BMW Headquarters REFUSED to fix/Replace the shocks, I called them on that date. All info above is submitted under Oath and the Penalty of Perjury per the Laws of the State Of California. Thank you.

NHTSA ID 11590049 · filed May 22, 2024

PULLS TO THE LEFT AND MANUFACTURE DENIES THIS ACROSS THE BOARD. SEVERAL THOUSAND RANTS ABOUT THIS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND NOT ONE RECALL OR CONCERN FROM BMW.

NHTSA ID 10965784 · filed Mar 13, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

URGENT Please. I want to Repair ASAP. I write as someone who is Knowledgeable about these issues. I have repaired my own Motorcycles and Cars for about 30 years now. I also have owned several BMW Motorcycles. This issue with this 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle is that the Front and Rear Shocks wear out very often. BMW installed these electronic shocks on these bikes and they are very cheaply made. You will find many many forums online where thousands of people have to replace these shocks at 8000, 10,000 or so miles. A week ago I took the bike to the Dealer where they replaced the Fuel Pump on a Recall, they confirmed the shocks were gone. Cost of the 2 Shocks WITHOUT Labor is over $5000 when you add labor it will be over $8000 which renders the Motorcycle TOTALED. I called BMW HQ and they REFUSED to replace or do anything about this. I own other much older BMW Motorcycles & They ALL have the ORIGINAL Shocks except this K1600 GT bike which has these CHEAP shocks which makes the bike DANGEROUS to ride and to steer. It also destroys Tires which are very expensive on this bike. BMW needs to pay for or REPLACE the Shocks and Tires on this bike and to make sure the steering mechanism is NOT damaged on this bike because of these Shocks. BMW claims this is a "Wear and Tear" item. This is their TOP of the LINE Motorcycle that cost $28,000 when new. Front and Rear shocks should NOT wear out so quickly and so often on these bikes as have been DOCUMENTED by so many owners. This bike has been Garaged for over 2 years because of the Shocks as it is not really Safe to ride. BMW SHOULD be MADE to pay for these Repairs and Replacements. The Date listed below is the Date when the local BMW dealer did the Fuel Pump Recall and confirmed that the shocks are DEAD. And BMW Headquarters REFUSED to fix/Replace the shocks, I called them on that date. All info above is submitted under Oath and the Penalty of Perjury per the Laws of the State Of California. Thank you.

NHTSA ID 11590049 · filed May 22, 2024

PULLS TO THE LEFT AND MANUFACTURE DENIES THIS ACROSS THE BOARD. SEVERAL THOUSAND RANTS ABOUT THIS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND NOT ONE RECALL OR CONCERN FROM BMW.

NHTSA ID 10965784 · filed Mar 13, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.

NHTSA ID 10889222 · filed Jul 28, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.

NHTSA ID 10889222 · filed Jul 28, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND THE ABS SENSOR RINGS WERE RUSTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RUSTING WAS NOT SEVERE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID 10684100 · filed Feb 18, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

URGENT Please. I want to Repair ASAP. I write as someone who is Knowledgeable about these issues. I have repaired my own Motorcycles and Cars for about 30 years now. I also have owned several BMW Motorcycles. This issue with this 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle is that the Front and Rear Shocks wear out very often. BMW installed these electronic shocks on these bikes and they are very cheaply made. You will find many many forums online where thousands of people have to replace these shocks at 8000, 10,000 or so miles. A week ago I took the bike to the Dealer where they replaced the Fuel Pump on a Recall, they confirmed the shocks were gone. Cost of the 2 Shocks WITHOUT Labor is over $5000 when you add labor it will be over $8000 which renders the Motorcycle TOTALED. I called BMW HQ and they REFUSED to replace or do anything about this. I own other much older BMW Motorcycles & They ALL have the ORIGINAL Shocks except this K1600 GT bike which has these CHEAP shocks which makes the bike DANGEROUS to ride and to steer. It also destroys Tires which are very expensive on this bike. BMW needs to pay for or REPLACE the Shocks and Tires on this bike and to make sure the steering mechanism is NOT damaged on this bike because of these Shocks. BMW claims this is a "Wear and Tear" item. This is their TOP of the LINE Motorcycle that cost $28,000 when new. Front and Rear shocks should NOT wear out so quickly and so often on these bikes as have been DOCUMENTED by so many owners. This bike has been Garaged for over 2 years because of the Shocks as it is not really Safe to ride. BMW SHOULD be MADE to pay for these Repairs and Replacements. The Date listed below is the Date when the local BMW dealer did the Fuel Pump Recall and confirmed that the shocks are DEAD. And BMW Headquarters REFUSED to fix/Replace the shocks, I called them on that date. All info above is submitted under Oath and the Penalty of Perjury per the Laws of the State Of California. Thank you.

NHTSA ID 11590049 · filed May 22, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .