RoadVitals

2012 BMW K 1600 Gtl

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.
33
Latest Sep 16, 2025
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.
4
Latest Feb 8, 2021
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

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 BMW K 1600 Gtl, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and steering categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 30 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

  • Steering715.9%
  • Engine511.4%
  • Exterior lighting49.1%
  • Powertrain (other)36.8%
  • Driver assistance24.5%
  • Other / unspecified24.5%

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

4 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Feb 8, 2021
20,963 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 10, 2020
16,926 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Dec 12, 2013
50,184 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA13006ClosedEngineering Analysis

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

Opened Jul 12, 2013
Closed Jan 31, 2014

ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10485452,10433589,10467136,10420291,10503806, 10532145,10523763,10523626,10425514,10354202,10437222,10444742, 10454834,10532172,10487624,10435984,10452476, 10485337

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPLed to recall 13V617000

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2025

Strong scent of fuel odor. Plastic elbow connectors is the culprit . This is the 2nd time this bike went in for Fuel leak problem. 1st time it went in the Bmw service bike was at 19,500 miles went in for fuel leak recall. They said they fixed it but 300+ miles later at 19,800 miles it started a fuel leak again. This time bmw charge me to fix the fuel leak issue. Should have been part of the fuel leak recall issue.

NHTSA ID
11687646
Incident
Sep 8, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 26, 2024

Motorcycle has 45000miles and the transmission started to stutter in 4th gear, the symptoms match the recalled transmission for 2017 bmw k1600. This is very dangerous and in 4th gear the vehicle is traveling at around 50mph, when applying throttle the whole bike bucks and becomes unstable

NHTSA ID
11579464
Incident
Mar 25, 2024
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2021

Greetings.  I was notified earlier this year of a recall on my bike.  The recall was issued in February, 2021 for a safety issue with the fuel pump.  While my dealer has been very understanding and responsive, I am told the part is not available and they have no idea when they will be able to repair this important safety defect.   It has now been over 8 months since the recall and there is no information about the required repair.  I am growing concerned about the safety issue with this situation and would like to know when I can expect the part to be available so that my personal safety is not at risk.  Please advise.  Thanks.  NHTSA Recall Number21V060

NHTSA ID
11438710
Incident
Feb 8, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2021

Dealer has not received ANY parts to repair this and cannot provide a date when they expect to receive them.

NHTSA ID
11424777
Incident
Jul 14, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jun 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 BMW K-1600. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11422557
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES OF GREATER CINCINNATI (140 N VERITY PKWY, MIDDLETOWN, OH 45042) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED HOWEVER, HE WAS CALLED THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER AND NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED TOM WOOD POWERSPORTS INDY (3400 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240) WHO ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOR MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT

NHTSA ID
11407053
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Apr 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (14855 SHELDON RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170, (734) 453-0500) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11406475
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Oct 13, 2020

THIS BIKE LEAKS THE PRESSUREIZED GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE SPRAYING THE GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE ENGIEN AND LEAKING DOWN TO AREA OF EXHAUST PIPES CAUSING VERY HUGE CHANGE OF FIRE. WE FOUND THE RECALL NUMBER 13V-617 FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FROM NHTSA:S WEBSITE BUT NOBODY FROM BMW OR HHTSA CONFORMS THAT THIS RECALL IS IMPLEMENTED. NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE BIKE IS IMOPAREBLE NOW AND CAUSES HUGE RISK IF OPERATED IN THE CONDITION IT IS NOW. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL IF AND WHEN ABOVE RECALL HAPPENS? CAN WE BE COMPENSATED IF WE FIX THE BIKE BY OURSELVES. WE ARE MOTORCYCLE DELAER AND THIS BIKE IS IN OUR BIKES FOR SALE INVENTORY.

NHTSA ID
11364206
Incident
Sep 26, 2020
Mileage
300 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.

MC160214

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender “Fuel Strip” equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.

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.

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 Gtl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010
2024020
2023010
2022110
2021010
2020030
2019330
2018162041.5
2017010
2016300
2015100
2014710
2013710
2012Viewing334149.1
2011010

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.