2012 BMW K 1600 Gtl

Routine

Owners filed 33 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

25 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 4,500 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering7
000
Fuel/Propulsion System6
000
Electrical System6
000
Fuel System, Gasoline4
000
Power Train3
000
Engine3
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000
Electrical System › Horn1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump21V060000
Filed Feb 8, 202120,963 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.

Risk. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump20V471000
Filed Aug 10, 202016,926 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump13V617000
Filed Dec 12, 201350,184 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Engine13V526000
Filed Oct 25, 20132,475 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL motorcycles. In certain riding conditions, an incorrect throttle valve control signal may be received by the engine control unit, limiting the engine speed.

Risk. As a result of the reduced engine speed, the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the throttle control software, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in December 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 16, 2025CA

Strong scent of fuel odor. Plastic elbow connectors is the culprit . This is the 2nd time this bike went in for Fuel leak problem. 1st time it went in the Bmw service bike was at 19,500 miles went in for fuel leak recall. They said they fixed it but 300+ miles later at 19,800 miles it started a fuel leak again. This time bmw charge me to fix the fuel leak issue. Should have been part of the fuel leak recall issue.

Power Train
Filed Mar 26, 2024NJ

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

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2021GA

Greetings. I was notified earlier this year of a recall on my bike. The recall was issued in February, 2021 for a safety issue with the fuel pump. While my dealer has been very understanding and responsive, I am told the part is not available and they have no idea when they will be able to repair this important safety defect. It has now been over 8 months since the recall and there is no information about the required repair. I am growing concerned about the safety issue with this situation and would like to know when I can expect the part to be available so that my personal safety is not at risk. Please advise. Thanks. NHTSA Recall Number21V060

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 14, 2021AZ

Dealer has not received ANY parts to repair this and cannot provide a date when they expect to receive them.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 28, 2021OH

The contact owns a 2012 BMW K-1600. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 8, 2021IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES OF GREATER CINCINNATI (140 N VERITY PKWY, MIDDLETOWN, OH 45042) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED HOWEVER, HE WAS CALLED THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER AND NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED TOM WOOD POWERSPORTS INDY (3400 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240) WHO ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOR MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 5, 2021MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (14855 SHELDON RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170, (734) 453-0500) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 13, 2020300 milesTX

THIS BIKE LEAKS THE PRESSUREIZED GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE SPRAYING THE GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE ENGIEN AND LEAKING DOWN TO AREA OF EXHAUST PIPES CAUSING VERY HUGE CHANGE OF FIRE. WE FOUND THE RECALL NUMBER 13V-617 FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FROM NHTSA:S WEBSITE BUT NOBODY FROM BMW OR HHTSA CONFORMS THAT THIS RECALL IS IMPLEMENTED. NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE BIKE IS IMOPAREBLE NOW AND CAUSES HUGE RISK IF OPERATED IN THE CONDITION IT IS NOW. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL IF AND WHEN ABOVE RECALL HAPPENS? CAN WE BE COMPENSATED IF WE FIX THE BIKE BY OURSELVES. WE ARE MOTORCYCLE DELAER AND THIS BIKE IS IN OUR BIKES FOR SALE INVENTORY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 23, 202028,000 milesLA

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 7, 202022,000 milesAZ

FUEL PUMP FAILURE; GAS WAS GUSHING ( APPROX. ONE-HALF LITER IN 2 MINUTES OUT OF BOTTOM OF MOTORCYCLE ON TO VERY HOT EXHAUST PIPE. VERY LUCKY BIKE DID NOT IGNITE GAS THAT WAS LEAKING DUE TO FAULTY FUEL PUMP.BIKE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET (GREENFIELD AND BASELINE; GILBERT, AZ 85234 AT 1;00PM). TURNED OFF BIKE PUSHED TO PARKING LOT AND THEN MOVED BIKE TO STORAGE AREA.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 18, 201916,000 milesAZ

AFTER RETURNING FROM A RIDE, I NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. I LOCATED DROPS OF FUEL BENEATH THE BIKE AND BEGAN TO TRACE THE LIQUID TO IT'S SOURCE. THE SOURCE WAS A CRACKED FUEL PUMP FLANGE WHERE A THREADED FITTING WAS INSTALLED. BMW ISSUED A RECALL ON 2012 K1600 GTLS, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMED MY BIKE WAS PRODUCED TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL CUT OFF DATE. MY BIKE EXPERIENCED THE SAME LEAK AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR RECALL. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALER, RIDENOW IN CHANDLER ARIZONA PER THE REQUEST OF BMW. AFTER "REVIEWING MY CASE", THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE I EXPERIENCED, THOUGH THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I SUGGEST THAT BMW HAS NOT INCLUDED ALL OF THE FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM BIKES IN THEIR ORIGINAL RECALL AND SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL DATE OF MANUFACTURE TO INCLUDE VINS PRODUCED WITH THE SAME FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS AS THOSE PRODUCED IN EARLY 2012. FROM THE ATTACHED PICTURE, YOU CAN PLAINLY SEE RAW FUEL SPRAYING OUT OF THE PUMP FLANGE AND TOWARD THE OPERATOR OF THE BIKE. THIS FUEL SPRAY OCCURS WHENEVER THE IGNITION IS "ON", EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING.

Steering
Filed Sep 24, 20181 milesND

IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED AND ON ANY SURFACE IN ANY LANE THE MOTORCYCLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT. THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING INPUT TO THE RIGHT TO COUNTERACT THE PULL TO THE LEFT. THIS CONSTANT STEERING INPUT LEADS TO EARLY FATIGUE OF THE RIDER'S ARMS AND CAUSES A DISTRACTION THAT IS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE DAY 1 AND WHENEVER I MENTION IT TO A MECHANIC THEY EITHER TELL ME I AM WRONG OR THAT IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE OWNED MANY MOTORCYCLES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Dec 24, 201730,000 milesNC

THE BIKE WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND 18,000 MILES AND BROKE 3 OF THE 6 PISTONS SO INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE MOTOR THEN, THEY DECIDED TO REBUILD WITH NEW PISTONS NOW ONLY 2 YEARS LATER MORE PISTON TROUBLE ONLY 12,000 MILES THIS TIME NOW BMW SAYS ITS OUT OF WARENTY !!!!

Steering
Filed Apr 7, 20144,500 milesOH

THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A HARD LEFT PULL, AND HAS HAD IT FROM DAY OF DELIVERY. BMW HAS NOT MADE ANY EFFORT TO FIX. THE REQUIREMENT TO CONSTANTLY COUNTERSTEER CAN BE DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 25, 2013200 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW K 1600 GT 2012 ##

Steering
Filed Sep 11, 201312,040 milesWA

THE MOTORCYCLE "PULLS" SEVERELY TO THE LEFT AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN MOTION RESULTING IN DRIVER FATIGUE AND PAIN IN ARMS AND SHOULDERS FROM CONSTANT COUNTER-STEERING. THE BIKE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPORT THAT BMW DOESN'T CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE OF 2011. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 5, 201313,000 milesVA

UNABLE TO LOWER WIND SCREEN. LEFT HAND SWITCH FAILED, SCREEN STUCK IN LOWER POSITION SUBJECTING RIDER AND PASSENGER TO HEAVY RAIN AND WIND DURING CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. THE SWITCHES ON THE BMW K1600 MOTORCYCLES OFTEN FAIL, E.G. BIKE TURNS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, TURN SIGNAL INOPERABLE. DEALER, MORTON'S BMW TELLS ME THESE SWITCHES CONTINUE TO FAIL ON NUMEROUS K1600S. SWITCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTER 6 WEEKS OF BEING "ON ORDER" *JB

Electrical System
Filed Sep 5, 201317,000 milesMO

I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, WHEN I WENT TO PASS A CAR. I TWISTED THE THROTTLE AND THE BIKE BEGAN TO GAIN SPEED NORMALLY, AND THEN SUDDENLY IT LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC AND COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER, WHERE I DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS ACTUALLY STILL RUNNING, BUT THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. AN INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS ILLUMINATED, WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, MEANT THE ENGINE HAD GONE INTO "EMERGENCY OPERATION MODE." AFTER SHUTTING THE BIKE OFF AND RESTARTING A FEW TIMES, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT, THEY SAID THE HISTORY CONFIRMED THAT THE BIKE HAD LOST ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FOR THE FLY-BY-WIRE SYSTEM, BUT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY NOW. THEY WERE UNABLE TO SUGGEST ANY POSSIBLE CAUSES OR FIXES FOR THE PROBLEM, OR PREDICT WHEN, OR IF, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THE SERVICE TECH LITERALLY SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AT ME AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I KNOW MOTORCYCLES ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS, BUT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING FLAW. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 20135,600 milesAE

TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT TURN OFF BY SWITCH ONCE ACTIVATED. THIS CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AS TRAFFIC COULD ENTER FROM THE RIGHT OR LEFT ASSUMING THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR INTENDS TO TURN, CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR A BROADSIDE COLLISION WHICH WOULD LIKELY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR. THE TURN SIGNAL FIRST PRESENTED THIS DEFECT DURING A RELATIVELY HOT DAY (90 DEGREE) AND DURING COOLER WEATHER WORKED NORMALLY. NOW THE CONDITION IS MORE RECURRING EVEN AT LOWER TEMPERATURES. THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS PART OF THE LEFT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HOUSING. *JS

Engine
Filed Aug 20, 20136,500 milesAK

I WAS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THIS HAPPENED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN 400 MILES. *TR

20 of 33 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
20240200Routine
20230100Routine
20221100Routine
20211100Routine
20200300Routine
20193300Routine
201816200Routine
20170100Routine
20163000Routine
20151000Routine
20147110Routine
20137100Routine
2012 — this page33400Routine
20110100Routine

Compare every K 1600 Gtl year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 8, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.