RoadVitals

2018 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.
16
Latest Jun 4, 2026
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.
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 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 BMW K 1600 Gtl, most frequently naming the steering, powertrain (other) and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 21 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

  • Steering531.3%
  • Powertrain (other)318.8%
  • Driver assistance212.5%
  • Fuel system212.5%
  • Engine212.5%
  • Electrical16.3%
  • Suspension16.3%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 16
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 4, 2026

At the end of April, 2026, I was using the 'Reverse Gear' function to assist with parking the motorcycle. I needed to move back about 15 feet into the parking spot. As I was moving backward, at approximately 3 to 5 feet, the reverse function suddenly stopped propelling the motorcycle backward causing me to loose balance. I tipped and had to lay the bike down to prevent injury. The lay down caused minor scratching and indentations to the motorcycle. At the time I thought I smelled a burning electronics smell - but can't be certain. Since this incident occurred, the Reverse Gear has not been operational at all. I have contacted my local dealer to facilitate the 26V-214 recall repair.

NHTSA ID
11742011
Incident
Apr 29, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed May 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 BMW K1600 GTL motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding at an undisclosed speed, the motorcycle inadvertently shifted into limp mode. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with throttle body failure. The dealer informed the contact that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ID
11464467
Incident
May 13, 2022
Mileage
15,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL Motorcycle. The contact stated fuel was leaking from intake. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).

NHTSA ID
11438549
Incident
Oct 25, 2021
Mileage
45,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 28, 2021

WHILE RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60+MPH) NEAR SEMI TRUCK TRAFFIC. THE AIR FLOW COMING OFF OF THE TRUCK WOULD IMPACT THE MOTORCYCLE, THE BIKE WOULD WOBBLE SIGNIFICANTLY MAKING IT VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND ON THE CUSP OF LOSING CONTROL. THE SAME WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THERE WERE CROSS WINDS OF 30+MPH. IN BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS THE BIKE BECAME DANGEROUS TO RIDE. THIS WOBBLE HAPPENED EACH TIME I WAS NEAR A TRUCK ON A HIGHWAY AND IN SIGNIFICANT CROSS WINDS.

NHTSA ID
11414373
Incident
Jun 20, 2020
Mileage
2,500 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K-1600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE MOTORCYCLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG SKY MOTORSPORTS (2315 SOUTH AVE W, MISSOULA, MT 59801) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED AND RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. RECENTLY, WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE ENGINE FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ABLE TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE SOON AFTER FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE MOTORCYCLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,500.

NHTSA ID
11360472
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
8,500 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 26, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE PROBLEM WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF ROAD AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS INDETERMINATELY AND FELT UNSAFE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL (DEALER MOTORCYCLES OF CHARLOTTE LOCATED AT 731 WESTINGHOUSE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273, (704) 882-6106) BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,755. *BF *AS

NHTSA ID
11351396
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
2,755 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 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. BMW MOTORCYCLES FORT LAUDERDALE (4201 PETERS ROAD, PLANTATION, FL 33317) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11311599
Incident
Oct 9, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BMW K1600. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V-692000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11301367
Incident
Jan 23, 2020

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 Gtl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024020—
2023010—
2022110—
2021010—
2020030—
2019330—
2018Viewing162041.5
2017010—
2016300—
2015100—
2014710—
2013710—
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.