Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Steering5
- Unknown or other4
- Power train3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Engine2
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Suspension1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 2018 K 1600 GTL vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249027 | The 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. |
| 10230742 | Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, certain sub functions will not be active until after a software update. |
| 10218366 | Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the N63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166). |
| 10218352 | Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, a specific function "Front Wheel Lift Detection" of the Pro Driving Modes is not activated. |
| 10214996 | General Electric Systems. |
| 10212064 | Emission Control Information.? |
| 10203319 | BMW Motorrad has ascertained that Keyless Ride radio keys produced before March 28, 2014 have faulty software. This can result in the radio key ceasing to work; resulting in the engine not being able to start. If the radio key stops working while riding, the warning and indictor lamps light up to indicate the fault but the engine will not stop running until it is shut off. |
| 10201170 | When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit. |
| 10200269 | The 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 |
| 10156337 | Engine warning lights come one when the vehicle is in motion. Throttle Fault "Comparison fault adapted values" is stored in memeory. Reprogramm DME. |
| 10151395 | Engine sysmbol stays on after software update. Software error which is resolved with upgrade. |
| 10151297 | During 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. |
| 10150092 | Fault code memory entry Ox21F960, throttle valve |
| 10149288 | Navigator V maintains a Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone for a short period. |
| 10147912 | Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible. |
| 10147806 | Ticking 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. |
| 10147804 | After activation of the alarm system, the turn indicators remain on for 1 minute with integration levels higher than k001-15-03-510. |
| 10147756 | Mist forms in the headlight. This is due to condensation and goes away again. |
| 10147754 | After activation of th ealarm system, the turn signals remain on for 1 minute. Previously they turned off automatically. Software malfunction. |
| 10147752 | When riding faster thatn 100mph, the armrest folds up and blocks the view in the mirror. A catch is missing. |
| 10135006 | Incorrect tire pressure appears in the instrument cluster. Contamination or obstruction of the RDC sensor. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)