Car Problem DataNHTSA records

2021 BMW K 1600 Gtl

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Manual Transmission › Seals/Gaskets26V214000
Filed Apr 2, 20269,160 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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 overheating.

Risk. An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. A second letter will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 25, 2026.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 4, 2026CT

I am filing this complaint regarding NHTSA Safety Recall 26V214 for my 2021 BMW K1600GTL. The reverse gear system on my motorcycle has completely failed and is currently inoperative. Recall 26V214 concerns the reverse gear control unit. According to the recall, moisture may enter the unit, causing internal corrosion and loss of reverse function. The condition may also cause overheating and, in rare cases, increase the risk of a thermal event or fire. NHTSA currently shows my motorcycle as: “Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available.” For approximately three months, I have been attempting to obtain the recall repair through an authorized BMW Motorrad dealer in Connecticut. The dealer has been helpful but cannot obtain the required replacement reverse gear control unit. I escalated the matter to BMW Motorrad USA. After written correspondence and two telephone calls, BMW Motorrad USA informed me on September 3, 2026 that it cannot currently provide a solution and does not know when the required replacement part will become available. I also contacted BMW in Germany but was referred back to BMW Motorrad USA and the dealer. There has been no fire, crash, or injury. However, the reverse system has already completely failed, and after approximately three months BMW still cannot provide the recall remedy, a confirmed part allocation, or an estimated availability date. I respectfully request that NHTSA review BMW's inability to provide the remedy for Recall 26V214 in a timely manner

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
20240200Routine
20230100Routine
20221100Routine
2021 — this page1100Routine
20200300Routine
20193300Routine
201816200Routine
20170100Routine
20163000Routine
20151000Routine
20147110Routine
20137100Routine
201233400Routine
20110100Routine

Compare every K 1600 Gtl year →

Other BMW models

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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: Apr 2, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.