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2012 BMW K 1600 Gtl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 8 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2024
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #11579464

2,000 miles · May 23, 2013
Power Train

EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE BACKLASH THROUGH GEAR BOX OR DRIVESHAFT. RESULT, I NEARLY CRASHED ON THE MOTORWAY AT A LOWER SPEED WHEN MANAGING THE BIKE ON AN OFF THE THROTTLE. THE SUSPENSION GETS UNBALANCED WITH THE KANGAROOING OF THE BIKE BACK AND FORWARD WHEN IN GEAR AND GOING FROM A POWER TO ENGINE BREAKING VICE VERSA SITUATION. I …

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EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE BACKLASH THROUGH GEAR BOX OR DRIVESHAFT. RESULT, I NEARLY CRASHED ON THE MOTORWAY AT A LOWER SPEED WHEN MANAGING THE BIKE ON AN OFF THE THROTTLE. THE SUSPENSION GETS UNBALANCED WITH THE KANGAROOING OF THE BIKE BACK AND FORWARD WHEN IN GEAR AND GOING FROM A POWER TO ENGINE BREAKING VICE VERSA SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN RIDING FOR 20 YEARS AND THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS DRIVELINE I HAVE EVERY FELT AND DID NOT AT ALL FEEL SAFE RIDING IT. EXPERIENCE BMW MOTORCYCLES IN AUCKLAND SOLD THE BIKE BUT STILL MAINTAIN ITS NORMAL!! GO FIGURE. TOOK THE BIKE TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE DISPUTE TRIBUNAL AND WITH AN INDEPENDENT TEST RIDE THEY DEEMED THE BIKE TO BE NOT OF ACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE ALL LIKE THIS?? BMW ARE SETTING THEMSELVES UP FOR A LAW SUIT HERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513210

3,800 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Power Train

HAD A BAD OIL LEAK FROM THE TRANSMISSION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED BY BMW DEALER. BAD OIL AND COOLANT FLUID LEAK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. NEW PUMP WAS INSTALLED. THE BIKE WAS OUT OF SERVICE AT THE DEALER FOR 2.5 MONTHS TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440023

Official recalls

4

21V060000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Feb 8, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

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.

20V471000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 10, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V617000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 12, 2013

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

13V526000 · Electrical System:software; Engine; Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 25, 2013

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL motorcycles. In certain riding conditions, an incorrect throttle valve control signal may be received by the engine control unit, limiting the engine speed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: As a result of the reduced engine speed, the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the throttle control software, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in December 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL motorcycles. In certain riding conditions, an incorrect throttle valve control signal may be received by the engine control unit, limiting the engine speed.

Consequence: As a result of the reduced engine speed, the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the throttle control software, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in December 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical System:software

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL motorcycles. In certain riding conditions, an incorrect throttle valve control signal may be received by the engine control unit, limiting the engine speed.

Consequence: As a result of the reduced engine speed, the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the throttle control software, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in December 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Vehicle Speed Control

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL motorcycles. In certain riding conditions, an incorrect throttle valve control signal may be received by the engine control unit, limiting the engine speed.

Consequence: As a result of the reduced engine speed, the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the throttle control software, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in December 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA13006 · Fuel Leak - Motorycle

Opened Jul 12, 2013 · Closed Jan 31, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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 our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10485452,10433589,10467136,10420291,10503806, 10532145,10523763,10523626,10425514,10354202,10437222,10444742, 10454834,10532172,10487624,10435984,10452476, 10485337