2018 BMW K1600B Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other K1600B years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW K1600B. That is the most of any K1600B model year in the database (9 years). The most reported problem area is power train (20 complaints, 45%), typically at around 4,495 miles. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 44owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2018 BMW K1600B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 20 | 45% | 4,495 | — | — |
| Steering | 11 | 25% | 500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 18% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 7 | 16% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 9% | 9,700 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 9% | 5,359 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 5% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 5% | 12,300 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 5% | 7,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 2% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 2% | 5,946 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2018 BMW K1600B 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Steering Oscillation (EA19003) — opened Oct 11, 2019, closed Jan 16, 2025.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Other BMW K1600B years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 K1600B | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 K1600B | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 K1600B | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 K1600B | 3 | 1 |
| 2021 K1600B | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 K1600B | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 K1600B | 8 | 3 |
| 2018 | 44 | 2 |
| 2017 K1600B | 0 | 1 |
See all BMW K1600B 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 K1600B?
Owners most often report power train, steering, unknown or other problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 20 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2018 BMW K1600B?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2018 BMW K1600B a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other K1600B model years, the 2018 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.