BMW North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 to 2020 BMW K1600 GT, K 1600 GTL, and K 1600 B motorcycles. According to its recall notice, BMW says that a new supplier’s link strut that connects the rear suspension to the frame may not have been produced to specification as a result of a heat treatment “anomaly.” As such, it may not have sufficient strength and could allow the motorcycle’s rear to contact the rear wheel.
K 1600 Safety Recall Report
BMW’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)says up to 1,694 motorcycles are affected.
In the report, BMW says:
“This safety recall involves the link strut that connects the rear suspension to the frame. The link may not have been produced to specifications by the supplier. During the supplier production process, the link strut may not have been produced with sufficient strength which, over time, could allow the strut to become damaged.”
Describing the safety risk, BMW says:
“Over time, if the link strut becomes damaged, the rear of the motorcycle could contact the rear wheel which may affect riding stability and control, and could increase the risk of a crash.”
The motorcycles affected by this recall are as follows:
| MAKE | MODEL | MODEL YEAR(S) |
| BMW | K 1600 B | 2019 – 2020 |
| BMW | K 1600 GT | 2019 – 2020 |
| BMW | K 1600 GTL | 2019 – 2020 |
Specific motorcycles affected:
- All Model Year 2019 – 2020 BMW K1600GT motorcycles from 09/21/2018 through 12/28/2019
- All Model Year 2019 – 2020 BMW K1600GTL motorcycles from 12/04/2018 through 01/27/2020
- All Model Year 2019 – 2020 BMW K1600B motorcycles from 09/21/2018 through 02/18/2020
Notification schedule
To remedy the defect, BMW will notify dealers and owners of this recall following the below notification schedule:
Planned Dealer Notification Date: JAN 24, 2022 – JAN 24, 2022
Planned Owner Notification Date: MAR 15, 2022 – MAR 15, 2022
BMW K 1600 repairs
Registered owners of the affected motorcycles should take them to an authorized BMW dealer. The dealer will replace the rear link strut free of charge.
Contacts
Should owners have any questions, they may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), quoting NHTSA Recall 22V-023, or go towww.nhtsa.gov.
