2018 BMW K 1600 GTL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering; the 2019 and 2020 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2022
“The contact owns a 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL Motorcycle. The contact stated fuel was leaking from intake. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2021
“While riding this motorcycle at highway speeds (60+mph) near semi truck traffic. The air flow coming off of the truck would impact the motorcycle, the bike would wobble significantly making it very hard to control and on the cusp of losing control. The same would happen when there were cross winds of 30+mph. In both of these conditions the bike became dangerous to ride. This wobble happened each time I was near a truck on a highway and in significant cross winds.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2020
Show 6 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a bmw k1600. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v-692000 (power train) however, the parts to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. An unknown dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirmed the parts are not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2018 bmw k1600 gtl. The contact received notification of 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. Bmw motorcycles fort lauderdale (4201 peters road, plantation, fl 33317) was contacted and it was informed that the remedy part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the motorcycle was safe to operate. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“Vehicle unstable at highway speed. Reported to manufacturer,. Dealer made attempts to fix by balancing wheels that did not help. Then replaced tires and that also did not help. This is a safety concern and not getting proper response from bmw to rectify the problem. Attached invoice for work done.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
“When turning the engine on throttle dose not respond, it happened a few times notify dealer they have no solution, vehicle was stationary”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2018
“This vehicle is a motorcycle. When starting engine from a stationary position, while in neutral, the throttle gets stuck revving at approximately 3000 rpm. Can't shift out of neutral or decelerate/acelerate throttle. This has happened on multiple occasions.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2018
“Motorcycle has a delay in wireless throttle which will not engage engine causing delays in taking off & causing vehicle in-op & laying motorcycle down from lack of power or running, 1 st time in parking lot with passenger no throttle response ,hurt left knee & leg trying to keep motorcycle up right without going down since no engine response, 2 nd time delay caused me almost to go down in inner section & to cause oncoming traffic to bail out & do unsafe lane change so not to hit me & my wife,then tried to use reverse witch stuck in 3rd gear, & broke ,has been in dealers service dept since january for no parts avail for reverse repair”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2017
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact K 1600 GTL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:manual transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.