What BMW K 1600 GTL owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See BMW K 1600 GTL safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2018 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| 2012 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
The vehicle systems named most often in BMW K 1600 GTL complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I am filing this complaint regarding NHTSA Safety Recall 26V214 for my 2021 BMW K1600GTL. The reverse gear system on my motorcycle has completely failed and is currently inoperative. Recall 26V214 concerns the reverse gear control unit. According to the recall, moisture may enter the unit, causing internal corrosion and loss of reverse function. The condition may also cause overheating and, in rare cases, increase the risk of a thermal event or fire. NHTSA currently shows my motorcycle as: âRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available.â For approximately three months, I have been attempting to obtain the recall repair through an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer in Connecticut. The dealer ha…
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 rep…
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.
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
Started the motorcycle in my garage, then shut it off within a few seconds as soon as I realized that gasoline was streaming at high volume out the bottom of the motorcycle. In seconds I had a 4 foot diameter puddle on the floor of my garage. The exhaust pipes got hot enough in just the few seconds (less than 5 seconds) that the engine was running that the gasoline drops hitting the exhaust pipes were vaporizing. I am very-very lucky the motorcycle did not light itself on fire and since it was in my garage, light my house on fire. Reading the K16oo Forum (an online users group blog) I find that there is another instance of this failure on an identical motorcycle (make, model, year and trim …
I noticed a smell of gasoline in my garage. Checking my motorcycle, I found fuel residue on the engine cases. I had a similar problem with an earlier BMW that I owned. My 2009 BMW R1200RT had a recall for a fuel pump replacement that I had done. A couple of years later I experienced a fuel leak. My mechanic replaced the quick disconnect in the line from the fuel tank to the carburetor. I suspect this is the same problem, but I have not had it fixed yet. By the way, when I looked up the VIN on this website, all I got was an error and a note to call BMW.
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.
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.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Return Control Unit Reverser
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.
Traces of wear seem to be found on the needle bearing bush of the rear suspension strut. The ZnNi (zinc-nickel) corrosion protection coating can be worn in the area of the race for the needles of thebearing and does not constitute bearing bush wear.
Sealing ring on the differential cover of the reverser is leaking. Radial shaft seal faulty.
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.
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.
Delivery Stop 330008 is now associated with 33 04 24 Service Action: Check Suspension Strut
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.
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.
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.
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 âÃÂÃÂdischarged batteryâÃÂàcomplaints.
BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender âÃÂÃÂFuel StripâÃÂàequipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
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 o
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2011–2025, owners most often name: steering, fuel/propulsion system, power train. 72 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.