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2018 BMW K 1600 Gtl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
20153
20160
201716
20183
20190
20201
2021
Compare all K 1600 Gtl years →

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

What owners reported most

Steering
5Unknown Or Other
4Power Train
3Engine
2Vehicle Speed Control
2
All reported categories
Electrical System
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Suspension
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 2 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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

2 reports
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15,000 miles · May 13, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control

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 replace…

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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 ODI #11464467

2,755 miles · Aug 26, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

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 AN…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #11351396

Official recalls

2

26V214000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:seals/gaskets

Apr 2, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.

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.

19V692000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Oct 1, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.