2018 BMW K1600b recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. Certain transmission parts may not have been produced to the appropriate hardness level. This could affect the function of the transmission, possibly causing double engagement of two gears and/or the damage of transmission parts.
What could happen: Double gear engagement or transmission damage can cause the rear wheel to lock up, affecting the vehicle stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift forks, the selector sleeve of 5th/6th gear and the gear wheel of 6th gear, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed November 1, 2019. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW cus…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 K1600B.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V692000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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 transmission, possibly causing double engagement of two gears and/or the damage of transmission parts.
Consequence: Double gear engagement or transmission damage can cause the rear wheel to lock up, affecting the vehicle stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift forks, the selector sleeve of 5th/6th gear and the gear wheel of 6th gear, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed November 1, 2019. A second letter will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (20), Steering (11), Suspension (6), Unknown Or Other (5), Electrical system (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/24/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE BIKE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER NOW MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, THE SPEEDO IS STILL OFF TO THIS DAY BY 4 MILES AN HOUR, THE BIKE A PULL TO THE LEFT THAT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED YET. ON OCCASION THE BIKE WILL GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND JUST LOOSE ALL POWER AND THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHY IN TRAFFIC. AND NOW EVER SINCE THE POWER TRAIN RECALL AND REPLACEMENT, THE B…
05/02/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 19V692 HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE 10/1/19. MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.
04/22/2020 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K 1600B. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE BECAME UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING BEHIND A SEMI TRUCK OR WHEN WIND TURBULENCE WAS PRESENT. THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATED AS INTENDED AFTER THE SPEED WAS REDUCED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPL…
04/04/2020 · Unknown Or Other
SIDE TO SIDE OSCILLATION WHEN RIDING THE BIKE, WORSENED BY INCREASING SPEED AND ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING BEHIND OR NEXT TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE LARGER THE VEHICLE THE WORSE THE MOVEMENT. THIS OSCILLATION CAN OCCUR TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CAUSES THE BIKE TO MOVE FROM THE 8NTENDED LINE OF TRAVEL.
03/26/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K1600B. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V692000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO INDIAN AND BMW MOTORCYCLES OF TULSA LOCATED AT (1200 W S…
03/03/2020 · Steering
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 FRUSTRAT…
03/02/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K1600B. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MAX BMW (1535 JOHN FITCH BLVD, SOUTH WINDSOR CT.) WHO REPLACED THE NEUTRAL POSITION SENSOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
02/28/2020 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW K-1600B. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUBER: 19V692000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED EURO CYCLES OF DAYTONA DEALER, (118 E FAIRVIEW AVE, DAYT…