2018 BMW K1600B Problems
- Complaints
- 44filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 4,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 BMW K1600B (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW K1600B. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 20 complaints (45% of the total), followed by steering (11) and other or unknown (8). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 92% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 11 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the seals/gaskets filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering11 25%
- Other or unknown8 18%
- Suspension7 16%
- Electrical system4 9.1%
- Engine4 9.1%
- Fuel system4 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.5%
- Body and structure1 2.3%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “See attached pdf, although I did return the motor cycle to the dealer complaining about instability when traveling at high speed especially in turbulent air, something I have never experienced before in thirty years of riding, that issue is still pending, but for now the manufacturer is not communicating any intentions related to their recall, very frustrated !!!”
NHTSA complaint #11315959, filed 2020-03, 4,990 milesSteering: “On (first ever) ride home immediately after purchase I drove all highway and was horrified with a death wobble, especially in dirty air . Bike also pulls to left, especially over 40mph. Took back to dealer and manager and technician both rode bike and immediately put bike on a service rack and tried to find a problem. Manager described his ride as if you are riding on a grooved road . Unfortunately they found no obvious problem(s). They advised that I (and they also opened a case with Bmw) open a claim with Bmw, and I did. …”
NHTSA complaint #11111044, filed 2018-07, 3 milesOther or unknown: “I was traveling on my motorcycle in 6th gear when all of a sudden my check engine light came on and I had no throttle response. I had to do an emergency stop on the side of the road. This is extremely dangerous since I was in rush hour, I was very lucky I was able to get over to the shoulder safely with no throttle response.”
NHTSA complaint #11150041, filed 2018-11, 9,700 milesSuspension: “The motorcycle is not stable at highway speeds. Motorcycle wobbles consistently like being buffeted by high winds or driving on grooved pavement. The instability flows through to the handlebars also. Can be very difficult to control. Dealership says they know of no issues, as well as Bmw. The motorcycle is not safe, but no one wants to admit there is a problem. This has now been consistent from the day I purchased and continues at 5,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11128491, filed 2018-09, 5,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
92% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 400 and 8,600 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 26V214000Apr 2, 2026Power train › Manual transmission › Seals/gasketsCovers: BMW K1600B 2017–2025, K 1600 GTL 2017–2025, K 1600 GT 2017–2025
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…
- 19V692000Oct 1, 2019Power train › Manual transmissionCovers: BMW K1600B 2018–2020, K 1600 GT 2017–2020, K 1600 GTL 2018–2020
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…
Recall details for the 2018 BMW K1600B → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA19003Steering OscillationClosed · Oct 11, 2019
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 11 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10230742Dec 8, 2022Wheels. Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, certain sub functions will not be active until after a software update.
- 10218352Jul 26, 2022Electrical system. Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, a specific function "Front Wheel Lift Detection" of the Pro Driving Modes is not activated.
- 10218366Jun 1, 2022Engine cooling. Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the N63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
- 10212064Apr 26, 2022Engine cooling. Emission Control Information.?
- 10201170Jul 13, 2021Electrical system. When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
- 10200269Jun 17, 2021Electrical system. The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
- 10136313Mar 1, 2018Equipment. BMW Motorrad quality analysis has established that on K 1600 B (K61) models with central locking system (SA 417) in rare circumstances the side case could open while driving. For affected vehicles…
- 10136316Feb 16, 2018Engine, Electrical system. Engine is placed into emergency operation mode and max rpm is reduced due to a deviation in throttle signals. Signal evaluation software has been reworked and should be installed.
- 10136758Dec 5, 2017Equipment. The packaging crates for all K1600B are not stabel enough to be stacked. This applies ot both transport and storage. Th enoew motorcycle is damaged during transport in Big Pack packaging
Other model years of the BMW K1600B
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 | 600 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 44 | 4,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 BMW K1600B have?
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW K1600B as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 BMW K1600B is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 20 complaints (45% of the total), followed by steering with 11.
Has the 2018 BMW K1600B been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 BMW K1600B reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,000 miles and the middle half falls between 400 and 8,600 miles; 92% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.