RoadVitals

2013 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.
7
Latest Oct 1, 2022
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.
1
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.
0
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW K 1600 Gtl, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 28 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

  • Fuel system555.6%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Other / unspecified111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Steering111.1%

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

Safety recalls

1 campaign 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

Recent owner complaints

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

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2022

BMW K1600 GTL 2013 have the same issues that lates model, engine a lot noise and clank engine, unstable when you raided up 70 mph, really dangerous. Have to be responsable and do recalls in all those motorcycles. Thanks.

NHTSA ID
11487455
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2022

On December 26, 2021, I purchased a used BMW K1600 GTL from a private party near Houston, TX. I then proceeded to drive the motorcycle to my home located just north of Dallas, TX. The motorcycle exhibited no issues and ran perfectly. Two days later as I was driving it to get the title and registration put into my name, I began to notice the smell of fuel. At first I thought it might have been running rich and needing a tune up. It had close to 30,000 miles on it and had not been driven since the previous owner passed away in March. After about 15 miles and a couple of stops the smell proceeded to get much worse. When I got back home, the smell was really bad and I noticed fuel dripping from the bottom of the motorcycle at a fairly steady pace. I took the body panels off to gain access to where the fuel might be coming from. Once I located the leak, I was shocked at how much fuel was actually spraying out of the fuel pump. If this leak happened two days earlier, it could have easily ignited on a hot motor, a cigarette being tossed out of another car or any other source of ignition. I am attaching a video of the actual fuel pump spraying gas and soaking the motor. In a very short ride, my pants leg and shoe smelled of fresh gasoline. I could have been been consumed in fire. This is a time bomb ready to happen which could have killed me. This problem needs more attention put on it before someone dies in a fiery crash.

NHTSA ID
11446077
Incident
Dec 28, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Sep 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2013 BMW K1600 GTL. 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11434723
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jul 12, 2021

Fuel pump replacement recall due to potential fire hazard was issued April 8, 2021. There are no parts being made available to dealers to make the repair. It has been over 3-months and per discussion with the BMW customer service there is no information as to when parts will be available. This is not being remedied in a reasonable period of time.

NHTSA ID
11424491
Incident
Apr 8, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jul 2, 2021

The dealer has been unable to make a repair in a reasonable time. I called my dealer in May at Moon Motorsports in Monticello, MN to schedule an appointment for Recall Campaign No. 21V-060. They said replacements for this recall have been backordered. I called again today (July 2) to get an update. He said there are 32 standing orders and the #1 person had called on April 15. My bike is now smelling of fuel, so my riding season is over until this can be resolved. I am contacting you because my recall notice says I should do this if my BMW motorcycle dealer is unable to remedy the defect within a reasonable period of time.

NHTSA ID
11423239
Incident
Apr 30, 2021
Fuel system
Filed May 13, 2021

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V160000 (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 CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND WHILE IT WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. MATHIAS BMW (851 COMMERCIAL AVE SE, NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH 44663) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS AWARE OF THE RECALL HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT RECEIVING PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11416412
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
14,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Mar 31, 2014

SINCE NEW IN JUNE 2013, THE MOTORCYCLE HAS PULLED TO THE LEFT AT ALL SPEEDS REQUIRING CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. FATIGUE IN THE RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER IS NOTICEABLE AND A MOMENT OF INATTENTION ON A RIDE WOULD LEAD TO THE MOTORCYCLE SWERVING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE BMW DEALER CONSIDERS THIS TO BE NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10576066
Incident
Jun 8, 2013
Mileage
50 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
2013Viewing710
2012334149.1
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.