NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

BMW recall: The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture

Recall published 7 months ago

The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.

The hazard: Vehicle safety recall

The manufacturer filed this campaign after identifying a defect or a compliance failure. The summary above is their own description of it.

What the notice says: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.

Why it matters: The manufacturer identified a defect or a failure to meet a federal motor vehicle safety standard. The summary above describes the specific component and what it can do.

Recall details

Recall number
26V214000
Published
April 2, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
BMW of
Product type
Power Train
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
BMW K 1600 B
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V214000

Products covered by this recall

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.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 4 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • K 1600 GT
  • GTL
  • B
  • Grand America

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Vehicle

BMW of — The manufacturer filed this campaign after identifying a defect or a compliance failure. The summary above is their own description of it.

  1. Read the summary above for the component involved — it determines how urgent this is for you.
  2. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.
  3. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.
  4. If the notice names a symptom you have already noticed, mention it when you book.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • Get the closed campaign noted on your service record. Buyers and insurers both check.
  • Ask about a loaner or rental when you book, not when you arrive. On a parts-delayed campaign it is frequently available and almost never volunteered.
  • Keep receipts for towing, storage or a rental you arranged yourself — reimbursement for these is common where the vehicle was undrivable.

Remedy named in the notice: 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.

Company contact: BMW of North America, LLC

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was BMW of power train recalled?

The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating. An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the summary above for the component involved — it determines how urgent this is for you.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: 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.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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