2018 BMW K 1600 GTL Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other K 1600 GTL years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL. That ranks 2nd out of 15 K 1600 GTL model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (5 complaints, 31%), typically at around 100 miles. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 16owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 | 31% | 100 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 25% | 2,338 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 19% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 13% | 5,628 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 13% | 8,878 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 6% | 700 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 6% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 6% | 2 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 BMW K 1600 GTL recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:manual transmission:seals/gaskets
Problem: 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: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: 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: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
At the end of April, 2026, I was using the 'Reverse Gear' function to assist with parking the motorcycle. I needed to move back about 15 feet into the parking spot. As I was moving backward, at approximately 3 to 5 feet, the reverse function suddenly stopped propelling the motorcycle backward…
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…
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…
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 bmw k-1600. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the engine fault warning light illuminated and the motorcycle immediately stalled. The contact pulled the motorcycle off to the side of the roadway, restarted the motorcycle without further incidence. The…
Other BMW K 1600 GTL years
← 2017 K 1600 GTL · 2019 K 1600 GTL →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 K 1600 GTL | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 K 1600 GTL | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 K 1600 GTL | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 K 1600 GTL | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 K 1600 GTL | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 K 1600 GTL | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 K 1600 GTL | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 16 | 2 |
| 2017 K 1600 GTL | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 K 1600 GTL | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 K 1600 GTL | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 K 1600 GTL | 7 | 1 |
| 2013 K 1600 GTL | 7 | 1 |
| 2012 K 1600 GTL | 33 | 4 |
| 2011 K 1600 GTL | 0 | 1 |
See all BMW K 1600 GTL problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL?
Owners most often report steering, unknown or other, power train problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 BMW K 1600 GTL a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other K 1600 GTL model years, the 2018 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.