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NHTSA campaign 26V214000

2017–2025 BMW K 1600 B and 3 other BMW models: power train recall

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

critical 9,160 vehicles affected

What was reported

Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573
Problem 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. Risk An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire. Fix 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. 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.

Reported to NHTSA Apr 2, 2026 by BMW of North America, LLC.

Which vehicles are covered

Source: NHTSA campaign 26V214000

Vehicles built up to Jan 16, 2025 — a VIN outside that window is not part of this campaign even if the year, make and model match.

Model yearOn WhichTrim
2017 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2018 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2019 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2020 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2021 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2022 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2023 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2024 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2025 BMW K 1600 Bevery BMW on this site
2017 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2018 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2019 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2020 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2021 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2022 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2023 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2024 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2025 BMW K 1600 GTevery BMW on this site
2017 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2018 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2019 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2020 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2021 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2022 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2023 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2024 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2025 BMW K 1600 GTLevery BMW on this site
2018 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2019 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2020 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2021 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2022 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2023 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2024 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site
2025 BMW K 1600 Grand Americaevery BMW on this site

None of the vehicles this campaign names has a page on WhichTrim: the catalogue covers the cars, trucks and SUVs the EPA certifies from 2016 on, and these vehicles fall outside it — older model years, or motorhomes, trailers, buses, motorcycles and chassis cabs the EPA does not rate. The campaign record above is complete as filed, and whether one specific vehicle is included is settled by its VIN. Other campaigns on vehicles without a page here →

The federal paperwork

Source: nhtsa.gov

Filed documents

  • Defect report PDF — The manufacturer's own filing to NHTSA describing the defect, the risk and the affected build range.

Check one specific vehicle

A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. NHTSA checks a VIN against the manufacturer's own list and tells you whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →

Campaign 26V214000

Own one, or run a fleet? Recall Watch checks each VIN against every new NHTSA campaign and emails you when one lands, this one's expansions included. Or take a free one-line alert by model year.

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Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Does this recall repair cost anything?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or a compliance failure at no charge, for vehicles up to 15 years old measured from the date of first sale. A dealer that asks you to pay for a recall repair is in the wrong.

How do I know whether my vehicle is included?

By VIN, not by model year. This campaign covers vehicles built up to Jan 16, 2025. The manufacturer files a build range with NHTSA and only vehicles inside it are covered, so two identical-looking cars from the same year can differ. NHTSA's own lookup checks a VIN against the manufacturer's list.

What if the repair is not available yet?

It happens, and often. Manufacturers must notify owners when a defect is found even if the parts or the software are not ready, then notify them a second time once the remedy exists. The remedy filed for this campaign is described above.

What did the manufacturer say was wrong?

The problem, risk and fix quoted on this page are the manufacturer's own words as filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 573. WhichTrim does not paraphrase them.

Who started this recall?

NHTSA's record credits the manufacturer. A recall can begin with the manufacturer's own testing, with a defect investigation, or with a compliance test against a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.