RoadVitals

2023 BMW K1600B

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.
2
Latest Mar 25, 2024
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 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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 BMW K1600B, most frequently naming the steering, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Steering240.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

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

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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 25, 2024

After spending 500 miles on the motorcycle, having spent money on a set of new tires (supposedly was the fix) even and I even had the dealer look over the motorcycle, I have came to the conclusion that there is a serious engineering issue with this motorcycle. At speeds above 55mph, the motorcycle is having a steering oscillation issue. Basically, it does not track straight and exhibits a wobble. This can happen at any time, even on open highways, in traffic it seems to be worse. It can feel like it is becoming uncontrollable at times. This has been happening since mile #1 of the motorcycle. I have spoken with other owners and this seems to be an issue for others as well. There is documented video of this on youtube. Please investigate and determine why this is happening.

NHTSA ID
11579342
Incident
Mar 25, 2024
Body & structureDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 25, 2023

At speeds over 60 MPH, the BMW K1600 B motorcycle is unstable and wobbles. The instability at speeds over 60 MPH are unsafe, and I, nor my wife, will ever ride it again as it feels like the motorcycle is going to lose control and fall over at high speeds causing injury or death to us or others. BMW Motorcycles of Cleveland inspected it, rode it and verbally stated that they agree it has stability issues over 60 MPH, but only indicated in the written report that it handles to spec. It is available for inspection by any other BMW or Independent motorcycle technician. There are no warning messages or indications on the motorcycle indicating this issue.

NHTSA ID
11540698
Incident
May 6, 2023

Manufacturer communications

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

MC611125

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

After quality inspection it has been found that the reverser control unit PN 61 35 8 524 078 was installed ona number of units. This specific control unit was inadequately manufactured leaving a possibility of corrosionthat could lead to the reverser function failing particularly in more humid climates.

MCS130011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

On affected vehicles, a clamp on the fuel hose (quick coupling connector to the fuel pump) can happen to be crimped insufficiently. During the motorcycle starting process, the fuel system develops a higher pressure than while riding. This increased pressure during start-up can cause the fuel hose to move on the quick coupling connector and over time could eventually slip off the quick connector coupling. As a consequence, small amounts of fuel can spill under the parked vehicle and the engine will not start.

MC130124

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

After close inspection it has been found that the Hose clamp on the fuel line may be insufficiently crimped at the quick connection coupling at the fuel pump. During starting operation, a higher pressure occurs in the fuel system than while driving. Due to this increased pressure during starting operation, the fuel line can move on the quick connection and may slip off the quick connection completely. As a result, small amounts of fuel can leak out and the engine cannot be started.

MC330424

SUSPENSION

After close inspection it has been found there was an issue during production of the suspension strut that the proportional valve in the suspension strut may loosen over the course of the service life. This results in a loss of damping function.

MCS130011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

On affected vehicles, a clamp on the fuel hose (quick coupling connector to the fuel pump) can happen to be crimped insufficiently. During the motorcycle starting process, the fuel system develops a higher pressure than while riding. This increased pressure during start-up can cause the fuel hose to move on the quick coupling connector and over time could eventually slip off the quick connector coupling. As a consequence, small amounts of fuel can spill under the parked vehicle and the engine will not start.

MCS330088

SUSPENSION

Due to a manufacturing fault, the proportional valve within the suspension strut may come loose over its lifetime. As a result, this can lead to a loss of the damping function.

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 K1600B by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025110—
2024120—
2023Viewing210—
2022310—
2021010—
2020130—
2019631—
2018442149.4
2017010—

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.