- Affected are all K 1600 GT, GTL, B and Grand America models with reverse gear (model years 2017 to 2025)
- In the USA alone, 9,160 motorcycles are affected
- BMW dealers will replace the control unit free of charge with a revised version
The electrically operated reverse gear has been part of the equipment of the heavy six-cylinder K 1600 series tourers for years. Up to and including the 2020 model year, it was available as optional equipment, and from 2021 onwards it became standard equipment. This very component is now at the centre of an extensive recall that BMW officially launched at the end of March 2026.
Moisture as the trigger
According to the recall documents published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, campaign number 26V214000), the seal of the reverse gear control unit can degrade over time. As a result, moisture can penetrate the housing and corrode the electrical contacts inside. The consequence: the reverse gear fails. In some cases, however, the problem goes beyond a simple loss of function. Leakage currents between the corroded contacts can cause components inside the control unit to overheat. In the recall documents, BMW speaks of possible “thermal damage” with scorching and smoke development at the control unit. In very rare cases, this could increase the risk of a thermal incident or fire.
Investigations showed that the warranty rates for the reverse gear in countries with year-round tropical or hot and humid climates were significantly higher than the average of other markets. Moisture and heat apparently accelerate the degradation of the seal considerably.
Two incidents tipped the balance
The trigger for the recall was an incident in December 2025. BMW received a report of a “thermal event” on a 2019 K 1600 B from a market outside the USA. The investigation quickly focused on the reverse gear control unit, and BMW informed the supplier BECOM Electronics GmbH from Austria, which manufactures the part. By February 2026, a second report had come in, again with an overheated control unit. On 26 March 2026, BMW then initiated the official recall procedure.
Which models are affected
The recall covers four model variants of the K 1600 series:
- BMW K 1600 GT (model years 2017 to 2025)
- BMW K 1600 GTL (model years 2017 to 2025)
- BMW K 1600 B / Bagger (model years 2017 to 2025)
- BMW K 1600 Grand America (model years 2018 to 2025)
The prerequisite is that the motorcycle in question is equipped with a reverse gear. For the 2017 to 2020 model years, this was not the case for every example, as the reverse gear was offered as a paid option during this period. From the 2021 model year onwards, it has been standard equipment on all K 1600 variants.
In the USA alone, the NHTSA puts the number of potentially affected motorcycles at 9,160 units. BMW has not yet published global figures.
Not the first reverse gear recall
It is not the first time that BMW has had to address a problem with the reverse gear control unit. Back in September 2024, BMW had carried out a comparable recall for the R 18, which is also fitted with an electric reverse gear. For the R 18 as well, BECOM Electronics GmbH was the supplier of the affected component. Although the individual components differ between the model series, the underlying issue with insufficient sealing appears to be related.
In K 1600 community forums, the reverse gear has been a recurring topic for years. Numerous owners report failed control units, sometimes after only a few thousand kilometres. A replacement outside warranty is reported by owners with costs of around 880 US dollars (approximately 815 euros / 880 US dollars). In some posts, it is suspected that the module used is identical to a component from the sunroof mechanism of BMW cars, although this cannot be officially confirmed.
What affected owners should now do
BMW dealers will inspect the affected motorcycles and replace the reverse gear control unit free of charge with a revised version. In the USA, the official notification letters to owners are scheduled to be sent out from 25 May 2026. From this date, owners can also check on the NHTSA website, by entering their vehicle identification number, whether their motorcycle is affected. In the meantime, US customers can contact BMW Customer Service on 1-800-525-7417.
So far only registered in the USA
As of April 2026, the recall is officially registered only with the NHTSA in the USA. There is no corresponding entry yet in the German KBA recall register or the Dutch RDW recall register. With the R 18 recall in 2024, however, it also took several months before the action was implemented in European markets. BMW has not yet communicated whether and when the recall will be extended to Europe.
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