NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 BMW K 1600 GTL Recalls & Complaints

The 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2021 BMW K 1600 GTL owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL, describing incidents dated May 9, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11762100 · Filed September 4, 2026
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…

Read the full complaint

Reverse Gear Control Unit May Overheat

NHTSA #26V214000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission — Seals/Gaskets · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2026 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 9,160 vehicles

Completion not yet reported (dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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, anticipated late October 2026. 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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL.

Electrical System

ODI #11762100

Incident: May 9, 2026 · Filed: September 4, 2026

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.

Other BMW K 1600 GTL model years

Check your 2021 BMW K 1600 GTL VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW K 1600 GTL at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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