2018 Bmw K 1600 B: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
8,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Suspension: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1; Wheels: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2021: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11416431 · 2021-05-13 (May 13, 2021)
THE MOTORCYCLE WILL RANDOMLY GO INTO WHAT BMW CALLS "LIMP MODE" AND THE OPERATOR WILL LOSE ALL THROTTLE CONTROL. POTENTIALLY FATAL IF IT HAPPENS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE HEAVY TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE, AT NIGHT WITH NOWHERE TO PULL OVER LIKE IT DID WITH ME. THIS HA HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR WITH NO FIX IN SIGHT
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433817 · 2021-09-21 (September 21, 2021)
The motorcycle (BMW K1600 Grand America) goes into "Limp Mode" with the engine warning light where the motorcycle has no power until stopped, shutdown, and restarted. This happened to my motorcycle 4 times. Each time the BMW service cannot find any indication stored in the onboard computer. Also, there have been many reported issues of this in the BMW motorcycle forums. This issue is extremely dangerous because the last time this issue occurred, I was on a highway traveling at 70MPH in the left lane and suddenly lost power. Another time th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11625112 · 2024-11-14 (November 14, 2024)
When I drive my motorcycle on the highway with 70 mph +/- 5 miles, the bike is unstable, the steering bar is shaking, and it is hard to keep the bike in the lane. I complained to the dealer, they balanced the wheel, tested the bike, but the problem has not been solved.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11702069 · 2025-11-30 (November 30, 2025)
2018 BMW K1600** To whom it may concern My name is [XXX] and I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2018 BMW K1600 motorcycle VIN [XXX] . My motorcycle has a serious and dangerous stability problem that happens at normal highway speeds. While riding at about sixty miles per hour and higher the motorcycle begins to wobble and feel unstable. The front end becomes light and the handlebars feel like they want to move on their own. The back of the motorcycle moves from side to side as if the rear is shifting under me. At times it feels like t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11702069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11715491 · 2026-02-04 (February 4, 2026)
The contact owns a 2018 BMW K-1600 B Motorcycle. The contact stated that the fuel pump was leaking. The motorcycle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was related to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed there was no open recall associated with the VIN. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11715491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11734958 · 2026-04-30 (April 30, 2026)
he contact owns a 2018 BMW K 1600 B. The contact stated while having his vehicle running on the driveway, he noticed a pool of gas accumulating. The contact turned the vehicle off had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where a fuel leakage from the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11734958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743775 · 2026-06-12 (June 12, 2026)
I own a 2018 BMW K1600B motorcycle. At highway speeds above approximately 65 mph, the rear of the motorcycle feels unstable and moves side to side, creating an unsafe riding condition. The motorcycle does not feel planted on the road and requires constant rider correction to maintain a straight path. I have verified tire pressures are correct and have tested different suspension settings, rider and luggage preload settings, windshield positions, and riding modes including Dynamic mode. The condition remains present regardless of these adjustmen…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743775 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
26V214000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission:Seals/Gaskets
Reported: 2026-04-02 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗