2012 BMW K 1600 GTL Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL, 12% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,300 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Bmw k1600gtl has experienced 3 failures of the multi-purpose electrical control switch on the left handlebar and 1 failure of the multi-purpose switch on the right handlebar. The left handlebar failures were the high/low beam switch 2 times and the menu button 1 time. The right handlebar failure was the mode switch that controls engine mapping for road, dynamic and rain. I was told by two Bmw motorcycle dealership employees that these failures are very common and Bmw denies there is a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525449, filed 2013-07, 6,000 miles“Left and right handlebar controller quits functioning. The left controller houses the horn, turn signals, cruise control, bright lights, fog lamps, traction control, hazard warning flashers, and the damping on the motorcycle among other things that are not so hazardous such as radio volume and wind shield height. Right handlebar controller houses the engine cutoff switch, riding mode (rain, dry, dynamic) which controls the responsive of the bike, and less critical items such as the power locks for luggage compartments. …”
NHTSA complaint #10512968, filed 2013-05, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10147756Jun 1, 2015Mist forms in the headlight. This is due to condensation and goes away again.
- 10147754Jun 1, 2015After activation of th ealarm system, the turn signals remain on for 1 minute. Previously they turned off automatically. Software malfunction.
- 10040685Jun 20, 2011Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. There is a complimentary brake light being sent out due to incorrect expectations.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology