Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 BMW K 1600 GT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
642.9%
Median failure at 33,000 miles
Suspension
214.3%
Steering
214.3%
Wheels
17.1%
Brakes
17.1%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Electrical System
17.1%
Median failure at 18,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.1%
Median failure at 18,500 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2015peak 3Feb 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 BMW K 1600 GT
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA13006Opened 12 Jul 2013Closed 31 Jan 2014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Fuel Leak - Motorycle
ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the s...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 10,200 milesSahuarita, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked, the contact became aware of a gasoline odor coming from the motorcycle. No warning lights were illuminated. The motorcycle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The motorcycle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 10,200.
NHTSA complaint #11645332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
WHEELS
URGENT Please. I want to Repair ASAP. I write as someone who is Knowledgeable about these issues. I have repaired my own Motorcycles and Cars for about 30 years now. I also have owned several BMW Motorcycles. This issue with this 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle is that the Front and Rear Shocks wear out very often. BMW installed these electronic shocks on these bikes and they are very cheaply made. You will find many many forums online where thousands of people have to replace these shocks at 8000, 10,000 or so miles. A week ago I took the bike to the Dealer where they replaced the Fuel Pump on a Recall, they confirmed the shocks were gone. Cost of the 2 Shocks WITHOUT Labor is over $5000 when you add labor it will be over $8000 which renders the Motorcycle TOTALED. I called BMW HQ and they REFUSED to replace or do anything about this. I own other much older BMW Motorcycles & They ALL have the ORIGINAL Shocks except this K1600 GT bike which has these CHEAP shocks which makes the bike DANGEROUS to ride and to steer. It also destroys Tires which are very expensive on this bike. BMW needs to pay for or REPLACE the Shocks and Tires on this bike and to make sure the steering mechanism is NOT damaged on this bike because of these Shocks. BMW claims this is a "Wear and Tear" item. This is their TOP of the LINE Motorcycle that cost $28,000 when new. Front and Rear shocks should NOT wear out so quickly and so often on these bikes as have been DOCUMENTED by so many owners. This bike has been Garaged for over 2 years because of the Shocks as it is not really Safe to ride. BMW SHOULD be MADE to pay for these Repairs and Replacements. The Date listed below is the Date when the local BMW dealer did the Fuel Pump Recall and confirmed that the shocks are DEAD. And BMW Headquarters REFUSED to fix/Replace the shocks, I called them on that date. All info above is submitted under Oath and the Penalty of Perjury per the Laws of the State Of California. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11590049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
STEERING
URGENT Please. I want to Repair ASAP. I write as someone who is Knowledgeable about these issues. I have repaired my own Motorcycles and Cars for about 30 years now. I also have owned several BMW Motorcycles. This issue with this 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle is that the Front and Rear Shocks wear out very often. BMW installed these electronic shocks on these bikes and they are very cheaply made. You will find many many forums online where thousands of people have to replace these shocks at 8000, 10,000 or so miles. A week ago I took the bike to the Dealer where they replaced the Fuel Pump on a Recall, they confirmed the shocks were gone. Cost of the 2 Shocks WITHOUT Labor is over $5000 when you add labor it will be over $8000 which renders the Motorcycle TOTALED. I called BMW HQ and they REFUSED to replace or do anything about this. I own other much older BMW Motorcycles & They ALL have the ORIGINAL Shocks except this K1600 GT bike which has these CHEAP shocks which makes the bike DANGEROUS to ride and to steer. It also destroys Tires which are very expensive on this bike. BMW needs to pay for or REPLACE the Shocks and Tires on this bike and to make sure the steering mechanism is NOT damaged on this bike because of these Shocks. BMW claims this is a "Wear and Tear" item. This is their TOP of the LINE Motorcycle that cost $28,000 when new. Front and Rear shocks should NOT wear out so quickly and so often on these bikes as have been DOCUMENTED by so many owners. This bike has been Garaged for over 2 years because of the Shocks as it is not really Safe to ride. BMW SHOULD be MADE to pay for these Repairs and Replacements. The Date listed below is the Date when the local BMW dealer did the Fuel Pump Recall and confirmed that the shocks are DEAD. And BMW Headquarters REFUSED to fix/Replace the shocks, I called them on that date. All info above is submitted under Oath and the Penalty of Perjury per the Laws of the State Of California. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11590049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
SUSPENSION
URGENT Please. I want to Repair ASAP. I write as someone who is Knowledgeable about these issues. I have repaired my own Motorcycles and Cars for about 30 years now. I also have owned several BMW Motorcycles. This issue with this 2012 BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle is that the Front and Rear Shocks wear out very often. BMW installed these electronic shocks on these bikes and they are very cheaply made. You will find many many forums online where thousands of people have to replace these shocks at 8000, 10,000 or so miles. A week ago I took the bike to the Dealer where they replaced the Fuel Pump on a Recall, they confirmed the shocks were gone. Cost of the 2 Shocks WITHOUT Labor is over $5000 when you add labor it will be over $8000 which renders the Motorcycle TOTALED. I called BMW HQ and they REFUSED to replace or do anything about this. I own other much older BMW Motorcycles & They ALL have the ORIGINAL Shocks except this K1600 GT bike which has these CHEAP shocks which makes the bike DANGEROUS to ride and to steer. It also destroys Tires which are very expensive on this bike. BMW needs to pay for or REPLACE the Shocks and Tires on this bike and to make sure the steering mechanism is NOT damaged on this bike because of these Shocks. BMW claims this is a "Wear and Tear" item. This is their TOP of the LINE Motorcycle that cost $28,000 when new. Front and Rear shocks should NOT wear out so quickly and so often on these bikes as have been DOCUMENTED by so many owners. This bike has been Garaged for over 2 years because of the Shocks as it is not really Safe to ride. BMW SHOULD be MADE to pay for these Repairs and Replacements. The Date listed below is the Date when the local BMW dealer did the Fuel Pump Recall and confirmed that the shocks are DEAD. And BMW Headquarters REFUSED to fix/Replace the shocks, I called them on that date. All info above is submitted under Oath and the Penalty of Perjury per the Laws of the State Of California. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11590049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Coast, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2012 BMW K 1600 GT. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for 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 manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11429882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsville, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2012 BMW K 1600 GT. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer had been notified about the recall however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. Freedom Powersports Hurst (633 NE Loop 820, Hurst, TX 76053) was contacted and informed him that parts for the repair were on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11420843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesOrlando, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K-1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF ORLANDO (8901 FUTURES DR, ORLANDO, FL 32819) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11365097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesMonterey, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING ATTACHED TO FUEL PUMP BROKE AT THREADS GENERATING A FUEL LEAK. THIS ISSUE CAUSED RECALL OF OTHER 2012 MODELS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. IT APPEARS THE ISSUE IS EXTENDED TO MORE VEHICLES THAN ORIGINALLY LISTED. BMW IS NOT COVERING THOSE REPAIRS AT THE MOMENT, BUT RISK OF FIRE IS EXTREMELY HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #11364824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesFayetteville, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
A FUEL LEAK HAS DEVELOPED AT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED BY FUEL FUMES BEING APPARENT WHILE RIDING.
NHTSA complaint #11364370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Charles, MO
STEERING
PULLS TO THE LEFT AND MANUFACTURE DENIES THIS ACROSS THE BOARD. SEVERAL THOUSAND RANTS ABOUT THIS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND NOT ONE RECALL OR CONCERN FROM BMW.
NHTSA complaint #10965784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Charles, MO
SUSPENSION
PULLS TO THE LEFT AND MANUFACTURE DENIES THIS ACROSS THE BOARD. SEVERAL THOUSAND RANTS ABOUT THIS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND NOT ONE RECALL OR CONCERN FROM BMW.
NHTSA complaint #10965784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,500 milesWindsor, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.
NHTSA complaint #10889222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,500 milesWindsor, CA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.
NHTSA complaint #10889222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesJenson Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K 1600 GT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS AND THE ABS SENSOR RINGS WERE RUSTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RUSTING WAS NOT SEVERE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10684100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.