BMW K 1600 GTL Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the BMW K 1600 GTL (2012–2018) that have at least 5 complaints. 2012 has the most, with 33. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (18 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All K 1600 GTL model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 16 | 2,500 | 2 | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2014 | 7 | 7,484 | 1 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 7 | 7,025 | 1 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 33 | 4,500 | 4 | 30 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system18 24%
- Steering17 23%
- Engine9 12%
- Electrical system9 12%
- Transmission and drivetrain8 11%
- Other or unknown5 6.8%
- Vehicle speed control4 5.4%
- Suspension4 5.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11360678, filed 2020-09, 28,000 miles2014: “When my wife and I came to a stop after coming off the interstate, she adjusted her self on the seat of the 2014 Bmw k1600 motorcycle, as she used the arm rest for support in shiffing her weigh (she weights 105 lbs) the arm rest snapped off). Had we been going into a turn or passing another vehicle, and if she had been using the armrest for support and it broke, this could have shifted her weight unexpectially which might have cause the drive to lose control of the motorcycle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11361509, filed 2020-09, 21,900 miles2018: “I owned a 2012 model of this bike few years back and I had the same symptoms only apparent in this model of Bmw brand bikes. This problem well known in the Bmw riders community as pulling tothe left issue only on k1600gtl model bikes since years. Some pulls extremely aggressive in nature and some milder. Bmw ignores it yet all service centers around the country are aware of the issue. At least half of the bikes of this models on the roads are effected. Bike requires constant pressure applied to the right in order to track a straight line on a straight away road. …”
NHTSA complaint #11082379, filed 2018-04, 100 milesOther BMW models
3,169 complaintsBMW 328I
2,578 complaintsBMW X3
2,020 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology