2018 Bmw K 1600 GT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
3,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 40.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Steering | 1 |
Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Steering: 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). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2019: 3; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 11217292 · 2019-06-01 (June 1, 2019)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11217292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11278237 · 2019-11-05 (November 5, 2019)
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 [phone removed], 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11278237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11286305 · 2019-12-02 (December 2, 2019)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11286305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11310055 · 2020-02-19 (February 19, 2020)
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 N…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11310055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11343158 · 2020-08-04 (August 4, 2020)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,569 miles reported. Look up ODI 11343158 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V692000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 2019-10-01 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗