2018 BMW K 1600 GT
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › BMW › K 1600 GT › 2018
These records cover every 2018 BMW K 1600 GT. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2018 BMW K 1600 GT. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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, anticipated late October 2026. 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, 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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Owner complaints
5 complaints2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2018 BMW k-1600 GT. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v692000 (power train) however, the part needed for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
TL* the contact owns a 2018 BMW k-1600 GT. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v692000 (power train) however, the part needed for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Woodlands premium motorcycles (198 ed english dr, shenandoah, tx 77385) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. *Bf*jb
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2018 BMW k 1600 GT. The contact received a recall notification under nhtsa campaign number: 19v692000 (power train) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
TL* the contact owns a 2018 BMW k 1600 GT. The contact received a recall notification under nhtsa campaign number: 19v692000 (power train) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called bloodworth motorcycle dealer, (288 white bridge pike, nashville, tn 37209) and was informed part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tools conformed part not available.
- Unknown or other
This motorcycle has a recall that has been in place for over two months without repairs identified. It IS related with parts in the transmission not build to the right specifications. Potential outcome would be a locked rear wheel while traveling
- Power train · Steering
TL* the contact owns a 2018 BMW k 1600 GT motorcycle. The contact stated that the gear did not shift without warning. Also, the steering did not allow the vehicle to move in a straight line. The vehicle veered left when it was turned right. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle…
TL* the contact owns a 2018 BMW k 1600 GT motorcycle. The contact stated that the gear did not shift without warning. Also, the steering did not allow the vehicle to move in a straight line. The vehicle veered left when it was turned right. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to BMW motorcycles of concord (925-954-4121, located at 1240 willow pass rd, concord, ca 94520) where a software update was performed on the gear system. The contact was informed that the steering performed as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was not called back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500. The vin was unknown.
- Unknown or other
When starting engine from a stationary position, while in neutral, the throttle gets stuck revving at approximately 2000 rpm. Can’t shift out of neutral or decelerate/acelerate throttle. This has happened on multiple occasions.after several attempts of turning on/off the main switch,and rockining the bike back and forth the issue sometime goes away ...bike has 3100 miles on it
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering Oscillation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE19-002 on March 25, 2019. This investigation was opened based on six consumer complaints alleging 2018 and 2019 BMW K-1600 motorcycles were unstable at highway speeds and that the instability was exacerbated while in traffic.ODI opened the PE to…
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE19-002 on March 25, 2019. This investigation was opened based on six consumer complaints alleging 2018 and 2019 BMW K-1600 motorcycles were unstable at highway speeds and that the instability was exacerbated while in traffic.ODI opened the PE to determine the severity and frequency associated with the alleged defect.In response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter, BMW submitted a total of 20 complaints, 15 field reports and 5 warranty claims. Although the subject vehicles of the investigation include 2018 and 2019 model years, all the complaints, warranty and field reports submitted by BMW were on the 2018 MY bikes.BMW stated in its response that it did not have any complaints, warranty or field reports for the 2019 MY K 1600 series. Since opening the PE, ODI has received an additional six consumer complaints related to this investigation.In July 2019, ODI met with BMW at its New Jersey facility to see a presentation and then follow (in a trailing vehicle) a BMW rider on a subject bike. The purpose of the trailing exercise was to observe how the motorcycle handled on various road types and traffic conditions. During this demonstration the ODI investigator witnessed some instability or ?wobble? that was aggravated when passing large trucks. There were, however, no lane departures experienced by the subject vehicle?s rider during the trailing event. The ODI investigator was unable to fully determine the safety impact of the observed phenomena.In addition to witnessing the BMW rider demonstration in New Jersey, ODI interviewed complainants who allege their bikes felt unsafe and were dangerous above 55 mph. To better understand the safety impact described by consumers and quantifiably measure the level of instability experienced, ODI has decided to upgrade the investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA). As part of the EA, ODI will conduct an analysis of the subject motorcycle?s geometry, suspension and other characteristics as well as conduct stability testing. ODI will have the subject motorcycle tested at NHTSA's Vehicle Research Testing Center (VRTC) under controlled conditions to both quantifiably and subjectively measure the subject motorcycle?s stability. VRTC will obtain the subject vehicle(s) for evaluation and testing.These tests will be performed by professional riders to learn if they experience riding discomfort they feel is unsafe and gauge if the ?wobble? condition presents a safety concern.An Engineering Analysis (EA19-003) has been opened to examine and better understand the severity of the alleged defect.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11098821, 11111044, 11111232, 11128491, 11149745, 11166420, 11191569, 11194573, 11208774, 11219239, 11246011, 11257720
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249027The 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.
- 10230742Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, certain sub functions will not be active until after a software update.
- 10218366Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the N63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
- 10218352Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, a specific function "Front Wheel Lift Detection" of the Pro Driving Modes is not activated.
- 10214996General Electric Systems.
- 10212064Emission Control Information.?
- 10201170When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
- 10200500The hill start control operation may be sporadic.
- 10200269The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
- 10156337Engine warning lights come one when the vehicle is in motion. Throttle Fault "Comparison fault adapted values" is stored in memeory. Reprogramm DME.
- 10151395Engine sysmbol stays on after software update. Software error which is resolved with upgrade.
- 10151297During programming ith ISTA/P software version3.58.2.001. a programming abort occurred. Afterwards the vehicle is inoperative and can no longer be started. Repeated programming is not possible with this tversion. Software bug.
- 10150092Fault code memory entry Ox21F960, throttle valve
- 10149288Navigator V maintains a Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone for a short period.
- 10149274Customer complains about an operating failure on the left or right multifunction switch.
- 10147912Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible.
- 10147806Ticking noises can be heard from the motorcycle speakers and also from the Bluetooth communication system when a Navigator V is in the cradle. Lin Messages are transmitted through the cradled Navigator at high volume.
- 10147804After activation of the alarm system, the turn indicators remain on for 1 minute with integration levels higher than k001-15-03-510.
Every BMW K 1600 GT model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.