RoadVitals

2018 BMW K 1600 GT

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
5
Latest Aug 4, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 2, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 BMW K 1600 GT, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)375.0%
  • Steering125.0%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V214000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SEALS/GASKETS

Apr 2, 2026
9,160 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017-2025 K 1600 GT, GTL, B and 2018-2025 Grand America vehicles. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
The risk: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. A second letter will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 25, 2026.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
19V692000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Oct 1, 2019
4,672 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017-2020 K 1600 GT and 2018-2020 K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B motorcycles. Certain transmission parts may not have been produced to the appropriate hardness level. This could affect the function of the transmission, possibly causing double engagement of two gears and/or the damage of transmission parts.
The risk: Double gear engagement or transmission damage can cause the rear wheel to lock up, affecting the vehicle stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift forks, the selector sleeve of 5th/6th gear and the gear wheel of 6th gear, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed November 1, 2019. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE19002ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Steering Oscillation

Opened Mar 25, 2019
Closed Oct 16, 2019

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE19-002 on March 25, 2019. This investigation was opened based on six consumer complaints alleging 2018 and 2019 BMW K-1600 motorcycles were unstable at highway speeds and that the instability was exacerbated while in traffic.ODI opened the PE to determine the severity and frequency associated with the alleged defect.In response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter, BMW submitted a total of 20 complaints, 15 field reports and 5 warranty claims. Although the subject vehicles of the investigation include 2018 and 2019 model years, all the complaints, warranty and field reports submitted by BMW were on the 2018 MY bikes.BMW stated in its response that it did not have any complaints, warranty or field reports for the 2019 MY K 1600 series. Since opening the PE, ODI has received an additional six consumer complaints related to this investigation.In July 2019, ODI met with BMW at its New Jersey facility to see a presentation and then follow (in a trailing vehicle) a BMW rider on a subject bike. The purpose of the trailing exercise was to observe how the motorcycle handled on various road types and traffic conditions. During this demonstration the ODI investigator witnessed some instability or ?wobble? that was aggravated when passing large trucks. There were, however, no lane departures experienced by the subject vehicle?s rider during the trailing event. The ODI investigator was unable to fully determine the safety impact of the observed phenomena.In addition to witnessing the BMW rider demonstration in New Jersey, ODI interviewed complainants who allege their bikes felt unsafe and were dangerous above 55 mph. To better understand the safety impact described by consumers and quantifiably measure the level of instability experienced, ODI has decided to upgrade the investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA). As part of the EA, ODI will conduct an analysis of the subject motorcycle?s geometry, suspension and other characteristics as well as conduct stability testing. ODI will have the subject motorcycle tested at NHTSA's Vehicle Research Testing Center (VRTC) under controlled conditions to both quantifiably and subjectively measure the subject motorcycle?s stability. VRTC will obtain the subject vehicle(s) for evaluation and testing.These tests will be performed by professional riders to learn if they experience riding discomfort they feel is unsafe and gauge if the ?wobble? condition presents a safety concern.An Engineering Analysis (EA19-003) has been opened to examine and better understand the severity of the alleged defect.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11098821, 11111044, 11111232, 11128491, 11149745, 11166420, 11191569, 11194573, 11208774, 11219239, 11246011, 11257720

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 4, 2020
2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K-1600 GT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V692000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WOODLANDS PREMIUM MOTORCYCLES (198 ED ENGLISH DR, SHENANDOAH, TX 77385) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11343158
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
9,569 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K 1600 GT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V692000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BLOODWORTH MOTORCYCLE DEALER, (288 WHITE BRIDGE PIKE, NASHVILLE, TN 37209) AND WAS INFORMED PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFORMED PART NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11310055
Incident
Dec 11, 2019
Filed Dec 2, 2019

THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A RECALL THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR OVER TWO MONTHS WITHOUT REPAIRS IDENTIFIED. IT IS RELATED WITH PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION NOT BUILD TO THE RIGHT SPECIFICATIONS. POTENTIAL OUTCOME WOULD BE A LOCKED REAR WHEEL WHILE TRAVELING

NHTSA ID
11286305
Incident
Oct 31, 2019
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE STEERING DID NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT WHEN IT WAS TURNED RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF CONCORD (925-954-4121, LOCATED AT 1240 WILLOW PASS RD, CONCORD, CA 94520) WHERE A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON THE GEAR SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11278237
Incident
Nov 5, 2018
Mileage
1,500 mi
Filed Jun 1, 2019

WHEN STARTING ENGINE FROM A STATIONARY POSITION, WHILE IN NEUTRAL, THE THROTTLE GETS STUCK REVVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2000 RPM. CAN’T SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL OR DECELERATE/ACELERATE THROTTLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING ON/OFF THE MAIN SWITCH,AND ROCKINING THE BIKE BACK AND FORTH THE ISSUE SOMETIME GOES AWAY ...BIKE HAS 3100 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ID
11217292
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
3,100 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

MC610522

WHEELS

Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, certain sub functions will not be active until after a software update.

SIB610522

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, a specific function "Front Wheel Lift Detection" of the Pro Driving Modes is not activated.

SIB170222

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the N63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).

SIB610117

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

General Electric Systems.

MC710122

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

Emission Control Information.?

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW K 1600 GT by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025020—
2024020—
2023010—
2022010—
2021010—
2020030—
2019230—
2018Viewing521—
2017020—
2016400—
2015100—
2014010—
2013710—
2012104145.0
2011110—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.