Total Complaints
44 filings
BMW K 1600 GTL · model year
44 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012BMWK 1600 GTL carries 44 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 K 1600 GTL is steering with 7 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and fuel/propulsion system (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2012 K 1600 GTL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
44 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL motorcycles. In certain riding conditions, an incorrect throttle valve control signal may be received by the engine control unit, limiting the engine speed.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the aux
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
Strong scent of fuel odor. Plastic elbow connectors is the culprit . This is the 2nd time this bike went in for Fuel leak problem. 1st time it went in the Bmw service bike was at 19,500 miles went in for fuel leak recall. They said they fixed it but 300+ miles later at 19,800 miles it started a fuel leak again. This time bmw charge me to fix the fuel leak issue. Should have been part of the fuel leak recall issue.
Motorcycle has 45000miles and the transmission started to stutter in 4th gear, the symptoms match the recalled transmission for 2017 bmw k1600. This is very dangerous and in 4th gear the vehicle is traveling at around 50mph, when applying throttle the whole bike bucks and becomes unstable
Greetings.  I was notified earlier this year of a recall on my bike.  The recall was issued in February, 2021 for a safety issue with the fuel pump.  While my dealer has been very understanding and responsive, I am told the part is not available and they have no idea when they will be able to repair this important safety defect.  It has now been over 8 months since the recall and there is no information about the required repair.  I am growing concerned about the safety issue with this situation and would like to know when I can expect the part to be available so that my personal safety is not at risk.  Please advise.  Thanks. NHTSA Recall Number21V060
Dealer has not received ANY parts to repair this and cannot provide a date when they expect to receive them.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW K-1600. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES OF GREATER CINCINNATI (140 N VERITY PKWY, MIDDLETOWN, OH 45042) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED HOWEVER, HE WAS CALLED THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER AND NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED TOM WOOD POWERSPORTS INDY (3400 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240) WHO ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOR MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (14855 SHELDON RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170, (734) 453-0500) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THIS BIKE LEAKS THE PRESSUREIZED GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE SPRAYING THE GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE ENGIEN AND LEAKING DOWN TO AREA OF EXHAUST PIPES CAUSING VERY HUGE CHANGE OF FIRE. WE FOUND THE RECALL NUMBER 13V-617 FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FROM NHTSA:S WEBSITE BUT NOBODY FROM BMW OR HHTSA CONFORMS THAT THIS RECALL IS IMPLEMENTED. NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE BIKE IS IMOPAREBLE NOW AND CAUSES HUGE RISK IF OPERATED IN THE CONDITION IT IS NOW. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL IF AND WHEN ABOVE RECALL HAPPENS? CAN WE BE COMPENSATED IF WE FIX THE BIKE BY OURSELVES. WE ARE MOTORCYCLE DELAER AND THIS BIKE IS IN OUR BIKES FOR SALE INVENTORY.
Mileage: 300
WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS TURNED ON, GAS STARTS GUSHING OUT. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE WITH MY YEAR/MAKE/MODEL AND THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRING. MOTORCYCLE WAS STATIONARY ON IT'S SIDE-STAND.
Mileage: 28,000
FUEL PUMP FAILURE; GAS WAS GUSHING ( APPROX. ONE-HALF LITER IN 2 MINUTES OUT OF BOTTOM OF MOTORCYCLE ON TO VERY HOT EXHAUST PIPE. VERY LUCKY BIKE DID NOT IGNITE GAS THAT WAS LEAKING DUE TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP.BIKE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET (GREENFIELD AND BASELINE; GILBERT, AZ 85234 AT 1;00PM). TURNED OFF BIKE PUSHED TO PARKING LOT AND THEN MOVED BIKE TO STORAGE AREA.
Mileage: 22,000
AFTER RETURNING FROM A RIDE, I NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. I LOCATED DROPS OF FUEL BENEATH THE BIKE AND BEGAN TO TRACE THE LIQUID TO IT'S SOURCE. THE SOURCE WAS A CRACKED FUEL PUMP FLANGE WHERE A THREADED FITTING WAS INSTALLED. BMW ISSUED A RECALL ON 2012 K1600 GTLS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMED MY BIKE WAS PRODUCED TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL CUT OFF DATE. MY BIKE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LEAK AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR RECALL. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALER, RIDENOW IN CHANDLER ARIZONA PER THE REQUEST OF BMW. AFTER "REVIEWING MY CASE", THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE I EXPERIENCED, THOUGH THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I SUGGEST THAT BMW HAS NOT INCLUDED ALL OF THE FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM BIKES IN THEIR ORIGINAL RECALL AND SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL DATE OF MANUFACTURE TO INCLUDE VINS PRODUCED WITH THE SAME FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS AS THOSE PRODUCED IN EARLY 2012. FROM THE ATTACHED PICTURE, YOU CAN PLAIN
Mileage: 16,000
IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED AND ON ANY SURFACE IN ANY LANE THE MOTORCYCLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT. THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING INPUT TO THE RIGHT TO COUNTERACT THE PULL TO THE LEFT. THIS CONSTANT STEERING INPUT LEADS TO EARLY FATIGUE OF THE RIDER'S ARMS AND CAUSES A DISTRACTION THAT IS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE DAY 1 AND WHENEVER I MENTION IT TO A MECHANIC THEY EITHER TELL ME I AM WRONG OR THAT IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE OWNED MANY MOTORCYCLES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.
Mileage: 1
THE BIKE WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND 18,000 MILES AND BROKE 3 OF THE 6 PISTONS SO INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE MOTOR THEN, THEY DECIDED TO REBUILD WITH NEW PISTONS NOW ONLY 2 YEARS LATER MORE PISTON TROUBLE ONLY 12,000 MILES THIS TIME NOW BMW SAYS ITS OUT OF WARENTY !!!!
Mileage: 30,000
THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A HARD LEFT PULL, AND HAS HAD IT FROM DAY OF DELIVERY. BMW HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO FIX. THE REQUIREMENT TO CONSTANTLY COUNTERSTEER CAN BE DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL. *TR
Mileage: 4,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW K 1600 GT 2012 ##
Mileage: 200
THE MOTORCYCLE "PULLS" SEVERELY TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN MOTION RESULTING IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND PAIN IN ARMS AND SHOULDERS FROM CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. THE BIKE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPORT THAT BMW DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE OF 2011. *TR
Mileage: 12,040
THE MOTORCYCLE "PULLS" SEVERELY TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN MOTION RESULTING IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND PAIN IN ARMS AND SHOULDERS FROM CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. THE BIKE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPORT THAT BMW DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE OF 2011. *TR
Mileage: 12,040
THE MOTORCYCLE "PULLS" SEVERELY TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN MOTION RESULTING IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND PAIN IN ARMS AND SHOULDERS FROM CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. THE BIKE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPORT THAT BMW DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE OF 2011. *TR
Mileage: 12,040
UNABLE TO LOWER WIND SCREEN. LEFT HAND SWITCH FAILED, SCREEN STUCK IN LOWER POSITION SUBJECTING RIDER AND PASSENGER TO HEAVY RAIN AND WIND DURING CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. THE SWITCHES ON THE BMW K1600 MOTORCYCLES OFTEN FAIL, E.G. BIKE TURNS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, TURN SIGNAL INOPERABLE. DEALER, MORTON'S BMW TELLS ME THESE SWITCHES CONTINUE TO FAIL ON NUMEROUS K1600S. SWITCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 6 WEEKS OF BEING "ON ORDER" *JB
Mileage: 13,000
UNABLE TO LOWER WIND SCREEN. LEFT HAND SWITCH FAILED, SCREEN STUCK IN LOWER POSITION SUBJECTING RIDER AND PASSENGER TO HEAVY RAIN AND WIND DURING CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. THE SWITCHES ON THE BMW K1600 MOTORCYCLES OFTEN FAIL, E.G. BIKE TURNS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, TURN SIGNAL INOPERABLE. DEALER, MORTON'S BMW TELLS ME THESE SWITCHES CONTINUE TO FAIL ON NUMEROUS K1600S. SWITCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 6 WEEKS OF BEING "ON ORDER" *JB
Mileage: 13,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.