Model year

2018 BMW K 1600 B

Motorcycle, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from May 13, 2021 to Jun 12, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year19,160 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints73.5 times the median 2018 motorcycle
Severity index0.02018 motorcycles average 6.0
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2018 BMW K 1600 B peaked in 2021, with 2 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

01232021202220232024202520263
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

43% of complaints about the 2018 BMW K 1600 B name fuel system

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Fuel system
3
Suspension
1
Speed control
1
Wheels
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

One recall campaign covers the 2018 BMW K 1600 B

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW K 1600 B
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
26V-214Apr 2, 2026Seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheatingPowertrain9,160Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2018 BMW K 1600 B

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

7 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jun 12, 2026Failure Jun 9, 2026Orlando, FLUnknown or other

    I own a 2018 BMW K1600B motorcycle. At highway speeds above approximately 65 mph, the rear of the motorcycle feels unstable and moves side to side, creating an unsafe riding condition. The motorcycle does not feel planted on the road and requires constant rider correction to maintain a straight path. I have verified tire pressures are correct and have tested different suspension settings, rider and luggage preload settings, windshield positions, and riding modes including Dynamic mode. The condition remains present regardless of these adjustments. The instability becomes more noticeable at higher highway speeds and creates a feeling that the rear of the motorcycle is moving away from the rider. This affects rider confidence and appears to be a potential safety issue because it can make the motorcycle difficult to control. I am submitting this complaint because the condition appears abnormal and may be related to known stability concerns reported by other owners of similar BMW K1600 motorcycles.

    NHTSA complaint 11743775
  2. Filed Apr 30, 2026Failure Mar 3, 202616,000 milesWhitewater, WIFuel system, Gasoline

    he contact owns a 2018 BMW K 1600 B. The contact stated while having his vehicle running on the driveway, he noticed a pool of gas accumulating. The contact turned the vehicle off had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where a fuel leakage from the fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11734958
  3. Filed Feb 4, 2026Failure Jan 28, 20268,600 milesOrlando, FLFuel system, Gasoline

    The contact owns a 2018 BMW K-1600 B Motorcycle. The contact stated that the fuel pump was leaking. The motorcycle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was related to the fuel pump. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed there was no open recall associated with the VIN. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 8,600.

    NHTSA complaint 11715491
  4. Filed Nov 30, 2025Failure Nov 28, 2025Orlando, FLUnknown or other

    2018 BMW K1600** To whom it may concern My name is [XXX] and I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2018 BMW K1600 motorcycle VIN [XXX] . My motorcycle has a serious and dangerous stability problem that happens at normal highway speeds. While riding at about sixty miles per hour and higher the motorcycle begins to wobble and feel unstable. The front end becomes light and the handlebars feel like they want to move on their own. The back of the motorcycle moves from side to side as if the rear is shifting under me. At times it feels like the bike is sliding or going out from underneath me even though the road is straight and smooth. This is a very unsafe feeling and it can happen at any time on the highway. This instability becomes worse when passing large trucks or riding in crosswind. The movement is not caused by rider input. The bike has correct tire pressure and has no suspension or frame modifications. This issue appears linked to the design or mechanical components of the motorcycle. The wobble is strong enough that it feels like a loss of control could happen without warning. This puts the rider at risk of a serious accident or injury. I am aware that similar complaints have been reported by many other BMW K1600 owners in these model years and that NHTSA has previously reviewed this issue. I respectfully request that NHTSA reopen and fully investigate this wobble and stability problem for the 2018 BMW K1600 motorcycle line and determine whether a recall or corrective action is needed to ensure rider safety. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. Respectfully submitted [XXX] Orlando Florida VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11702069
  5. Filed Nov 14, 2024Failure Aug 14, 2024Adams, WISuspension, Unknown or other, Wheels

    When I drive my motorcycle on the highway with 70 mph +/- 5 miles, the bike is unstable, the steering bar is shaking, and it is hard to keep the bike in the lane. I complained to the dealer, they balanced the wheel, tested the bike, but the problem has not been solved.

    NHTSA complaint 11625112
  6. Filed Sep 21, 2021Failure Sep 19, 2021Arlington, TXFuel/propulsion system

    The motorcycle (BMW K1600 Grand America) goes into "Limp Mode" with the engine warning light where the motorcycle has no power until stopped, shutdown, and restarted. This happened to my motorcycle 4 times. Each time the BMW service cannot find any indication stored in the onboard computer. Also, there have been many reported issues of this in the BMW motorcycle forums. This issue is extremely dangerous because the last time this issue occurred, I was on a highway traveling at 70MPH in the left lane and suddenly lost power. Another time this occurred was during rush hour traffic. Both occurrences are very troubling.

    NHTSA complaint 11433817
  7. Filed May 13, 2021Failure Apr 24, 20217,500 milesRockford, ILVehicle speed control

    THE MOTORCYCLE WILL RANDOMLY GO INTO WHAT BMW CALLS "LIMP MODE" AND THE OPERATOR WILL LOSE ALL THROTTLE CONTROL. POTENTIALLY FATAL IF IT HAPPENS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE HEAVY TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE, AT NIGHT WITH NOWHERE TO PULL OVER LIKE IT DID WITH ME. THIS HA HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR WITH NO FIX IN SIGHT

    NHTSA complaint 11416431
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

7 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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 important information for the dealer on how to handle âdisc…
  • MC610522 Dec 8, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Due to a hardware change to the angular rate sensor, certain sub functions will not be active until after a software update.
  • SIB170222 Jun 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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).
  • SIB610522 Jul 26, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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.
  • MC710122 Apr 26, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Emission Control Information.?
  • MC610821 Jul 13, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
  • MC660118 Jun 17, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.