RoadVitals

2019 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.
3
Latest Feb 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.
3
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 BMW K 1600 Gtl, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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)3100.0%

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

3 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
22V023000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Jan 21, 2022
5,063 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 K1600 GT, K1600 GTL, and K1600 B motorcycles. The link strut connecting the rear suspension to the frame may have insufficient strength, which can cause the link strut to become damaged.
The risk: A damaged link strut can cause the rear of the motorcycle to contact the rear wheel, affecting riding stability and control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the rear link strut, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to inform owners of the safety risk were mailed on March 11, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW K 1600 MOTOCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V692000 (POWER TRAIN) 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. (BMW MOTORCYCLES OF LOUISVILLE DEALER, LOCATED AT 1700 ARTHUR ST, LOUISVILLE, KY 40208) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11306999
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V692000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO EURO CYCLES OF DAYTONA (118 E FAIRVIEW AVE, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114, (386) 257-2269) AND WAS INFORMED TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE GEAR BOX. THE DEALER ASSOCIATED THE NOISE WITH THE RECALL AND ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *DL

NHTSA ID
11281374
Incident
Nov 4, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2019

MY MOTORCYCLE HAD A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE GEARBOX. THE DEALER DECIDED IT WAS NOT SAFE TO RIDE THE BIKE, THAT I SHOULD LEAVE IT UNTIL BMW COMES WITH A SOLUTION. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2019 K1600 GTL SITTING IN SERVICE WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. THE BIKE IS WITH EUROCYCLES OF DAYTONA. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE TIME WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER NOTICES TH SOUND COING FROM THE GEARBOX. THIS IS OART OF THE CURRENT TRANSMISSION RECALL. I'VE SPOKEN TO BMW BUT THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID
11277574
Incident
Oct 26, 2019
Mileage
1,030 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 Gtl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024020—
2023010—
2022110—
2021010—
2020030—
2019Viewing330—
2018162041.5
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.