BMW K 1300 GT Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used BMW K 1300 GT options? We analyzed 10 model years (2003–2012) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the BMW K 1300 GT has 11 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls across model years 2003–2012. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2009 drew the most complaints; 2011 drew the fewest.
- Make
- BMW
- Model
- K 1300 GT
- Model years analyzed
- 2003–2012 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 11
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2009 (8 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2011 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Good
By model year
BMW K 1300 GT: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe BMW K 1300 GT has 11 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 11 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 8 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
8 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2003–2012. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 11 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
11 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I purchased this 2009 BMW K1300GT used from a dealer 3 weeks ago. He only let me do a short test drive around the block and it ran fine. I purchased it and began riding it daily to and from work, 48 miles round trip. There are 6 lights and 4 Stop sighs on my route. If I do a slow roll through a stop it comes close to stalling. If there are several cars ahead of me at a stop sign, or I hit a red light and have to wait awhile or sit through three lights at traffic hour, it stalls while I'm waiting. This has happened many times. Yesterday during traffic hour I was at a red light that cycled three times until I got through it. The bike stalled five times there. One time it stalled at a red light. Just before it turned green it stalled again, turning my rear lights off. There was a full size truck rolling up behind me very fast. Since it stalled out and the lights were off, it appeared to him that I was moving. At the last second he slammed on his brakes, I started the bike and quickly rode onto the shoulder and he drove by me still skidding. I would have been killed! The dealer never said a word about this well known and highly documented issue with this year, make and model of this BMW motorcycle.
ENGINE STALLS AND / OR LOSES POWER IN HOT WEATHER. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS STALLING EPISODES WITH THIS BIKE. IT WILL STALL AFTER BEING IN STEADY CRUISE FOR 30 MINUTES AT 4000 RPM. IT ALSO STALLS REPEATEDLY IN VERY HOT WEATHER (95-100 DEGREES) AND WILL NOT RESTART(SITTING STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN TRYING TO START OFF AFTER LIGHT CHANGES). IF IT DOES RESTART IN THESE CONDITIONS, IT DOESN'T RESPOND TO THROTTLE OPENING AND WILL ONLY REV TO 2000-3000 RPM AND WILL BOG DOWN IF THROTTLE IS OPENED FURTHER. I HAVE HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE ENGINE WON'T STAY RUNNING AFTER START( ENGINE STARTS AND RUNS FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS AND THEN DIES).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW K 1300 GT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM THE SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,700.
ENGINE STOPS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING STOP AND GO IN CITY TRAFFIC UNDER 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 2010. BMW HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS. THE ENGINE STILL STOPS. I KEEP COMPLAINING TO BMW. TOLD TO GET LOST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW K1 300 GT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V471000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
DOWNSHIFTING THE MOTORCYCLE STALLS FREQUENTLY UPON SLOWING AND PULLING IN THE CLUTCH. USUALLY THIS OCCURS AT DECELERATION IN SECOND OR FIRST GEAR. ONE CAN SEE THE RPM DIP BELOW THE NORMAL IDLE SPEED AND THEN THE BIKE STALLS. THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS IT OCCURS IN NORMAL RIDING CONDITIONS AND OCCURS MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE RIDE. RECENTLY IT OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ONLY MY QUICK ACTION AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. I TRIED EVERYTHING THE DEALER RECOMMENDED, FUEL ADDITIVES ETC.. NOTHING WORKS - ALMOST TOO DANGEROUS TO RIDE. *TR
Read 5 more owner reports
ENGINE CUT OUT UN-EXPECTEDLY MULTIPLE TIMES (5) DURING A 200 MILE TRIP. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 18K MILES, BUT VERY SCARY, OF COURSE IT HAPPENS AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME, IN TRAFFIC. AT IDLE, IT QUITS, OR, WORSE, CUTS OFF WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. MULTIPLE POSTS TO THE MOA CONFIRM THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON IF NOT PREDICTABLE SOONER OR LATER. VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER(S)BTW, MOA IS THE OFFICIAL BMW MOTORCYCLE OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER. THANKS *TR
FOR A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, I COULD SMELL FUEL WHEN I PARKED THE BIKE. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS. I PLANNED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT, WHENEVER THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF. ON TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2014, I RODE 17 MILES TO WORK. THE BIKE RAN WELL AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TROUBLE. IT RAINED WHILE I WAS WORKING AND 10 HOURS LATER WHEN I CAME OUT OF MY WORK PLACE THE BIKE WAS WET. I TOWELED THE SEAT DRY AND SET OFF FOR HOME. THE REAR TIRE LOST TRACTION AT LOW ACCELERATION BUT I DISMISSED IT TO COLD TIRES AND WET PAVEMENT. THE TIRES WERE NEW CONTINENTAL CONTAMINATION M THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR. ON THE FIRST 1/8 OF A MILE TO THE FIRST STOP LIGHT I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS WATER ON MY RIGHT LEG. BECAUSE IT HAS RAINED, I DISMISSED IT AS WATER FROM THE FARING OF THE BIKE. BUT AS I TURNED ONTO THE MAIN STREET THE ROAD TURNED DRY BUT MY RIGHT LEG AND SNEAKER WAS GETTING SOAKED. I COULD SMELL GASOLINE AND SEE THAT THE LIQUID WAS OILY. AT ABOUT 1.8 MILES FROM WORK I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THERE WAS GASOLINE SOAKING THE ENGINE, MY LEG, THE EXHAUST, AND THE GROUND. VAPORIZED FUEL WAS STEAMING FROM THE SURFACE OF THE EXHAUST. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE BIKE OFF AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE GASOLINE EVAPORATED AND WAS GONE. THE LEAK STOPPED AS SOON AS I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. I PARKED THE BIKE AND CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO FIRE. *TR UPDATED 10/23/2014 *JS
THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DECELERATING TO LOW SPEED OR TO A STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND MOST OFTEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS HOT AFTER LENGTHY DRIVING IN WEATHER IN EXCESS OF 90 DEGREES F. THIS IS A WIDELY RECOGNIZED PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. MY VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN RECALLS, SO I ASSUME IT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM (I AM SECOND OWNER). BIKE HAS 24000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS DESPITE PRESUMED RECALL REMEDY. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON INTERSTATE, MIDDLE LANE WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED...VERY DANGEROUS.
LEFT HAND-SIDE MULTISWITCH FAILURE. LEFT WITHOUT HORN, TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD ADJUSTMENT ETC. OPERATING ANY BIKE WITHOUT AN OPERATIONAL MULTISWITCH TO CONTROL THE FUNCTIONS ENUMERATED ABOVE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL. SAFETY CHECK WILL EXPIRE SOON AND CAN'T PASS IT WITHOUT AN OPERATING MULTISWITCH. REPLACING IT BY BMW COSTS OVER $700. IT SEEMS THAT BMW HAS A LONG HISTORY WITH FAULTY MULTISWITCHES, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HAND SIDE. BMW SHOULD BE DETERMINED TO OFFER A RECALL ON THEIR MULTISWITCHES IMMEDIATELY! *TR
LEFT HANDLE BAR MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IS MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND SWITCH ON THIS BIKE. THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT OPERATE AND THE WINDSHIELD WILL NOT RETRACT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE BIKES. WHEN YOU EXPECT THE TURN SIGNAL TO BE OPERATING AND IT DOESN'T IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO WHEN YOU WANT THE WINDSHIELD TO RETRACT WHEN IT IS RAIN STREAKED AND YOUR VISIBILITY IS BLOCKED, IT CAN ALSO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Showing 11 of 11 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact BMW K 1300 GT
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used BMW K 1300 GT, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The BMW K 1300 GT has 11 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The BMW K 1300 GT has 8 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the BMW K 1300 GT's 11 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all BMW K 1300 GT vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two BMW K 1300 GT vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The BMW K 1300 GT has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used BMW K 1300 GT.
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BMW K 1300 GT reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the BMW K 1300 GT reliable?
Good. The BMW K 1300 GT has 11 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which BMW K 1300 GT years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2009 (8 complaints), 2010 (3 complaints), 2011 (0 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common BMW K 1300 GT problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (5 complaints); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints).
Does the BMW K 1300 GT have recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the BMW K 1300 GT. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.