Head-to-head reliability
BMW K 1200 GT vs FORD F 150
How the BMW K 1200 GT and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
BMW K 1200 GT averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. BMW K 1200 GT has 22 complaints and 8 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,102 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW K 1200 GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 22 Better | 11,102 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.4 Better | 1110.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
BMW K 1200 GT
- 01SERVICE BRAKES11
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 03POWER TRAIN5
- 04HYDRAULIC2
- 05ENGINE1
“MY 2008 BMW K1200GT I HAVE OWNED SINCE NEW AND WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER HAD ITS ABS PUMP FAIL. WHEN TOLD ABOUT THE ISSUE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE TROUBLE CODES AND THE BRAKE FAIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY BIKE HAS NO ABS…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW K1200 GT MOTORCYLCE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF ROAD, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE REAR WHEE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,492
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,052
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
- 05ENGINE828
“Vehicle Safety Hazard & Recall Remedy Denial Recall: 26S28 / NHTSA Campaign 26V237 Summary of Issue: I am experiencing active, unsafe vehicle symptoms directly tied to Recall 26S28, including intermittent transmission signal loss, warning lights, and abrupt d…”
“I. Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance History In September 2020, I purchased this 2020 Ford F-150 new. II. Chronology of Defect and Repair Attempts Around 33,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting severe excessive oil consumption, an audible engine noise, and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
BMW K 1200 GT — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2…
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the aux…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW…
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 AND K 1200 SERIES MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2006 THROUGH MAY 2009. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, AND THEREFORE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION. THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAI…
The risk: IF THIS GOES UNNOTICED, AND THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR RUNS EMPTY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES, CONTAINING A "SLEEVE" ALONG A PORTION OF THE LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2…
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
FORD F 150 — 144 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires. The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
The risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S55.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or dist…
The risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may…
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific BMW K 1200 GT or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW K 1200 GT vs FORD F 150
- BMW K 1200 GT total complaints
- 22
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,102
- BMW K 1200 GT total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- BMW K 1200 GT avg complaints/year
- 2.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1110.2
- More reliable overall
- BMW K 1200 GT
- BMW K 1200 GT top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN