2012 BMW K 1600 GTL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL, 9% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,900 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.
“Excessive driveline backlash through gear box or driveshaft. Result, I nearly crashed on the motorway at a lower speed when managing the bike on an off the throttle. The suspension gets unbalanced with the kangarooing of the bike back and forward when in gear and going from a power to engine breaking vice versa situation. I have been riding for 20 years and this is the most dangerous driveline I have every felt and did not at all feel safe riding it. Experience Bmw motorcycles in auckland sold the bike but still maintain its normal!! Go figure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513210, filed 2013-05, 2,000 miles“Had a bad oil leak from the transmission on the left side of the bike. New transmission was installed by Bmw dealer. Bad oil and coolant fluid leak from the right side of the motorcycle. New pump was installed. The bike was out of service at the dealer for 2.5 months to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10440023, filed 2011-12, 3,800 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11579464, filed 2024-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 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 Nov 1, 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