BMW R 1200 GS Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

I WAS TRAVELLING SAFELY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT SPEED LIMIT IN HEAVY INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I CHANGED LANES INTO THE FAST LANE UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY. I COULD NOT RESTART THE BIKE AND SO TRIED TO GET INTO THE SLOW LANE AS THERE WAS NO ROOM ON THE INSIDE SHOULDER. IN TRYING TO MOVE SAFTELY TO THE SHOULDER I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES, ONE SEMI TRAILER AND TWO PASSENGER CARS THAT WERE TRAVELLING AT NEARLY TWICE MY RATE OF SPEED DUE TO MY LOSS OF POWER. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE, I STRAINED MYSELF TRYING TO COME TO A SAFE STOP PRIOR TO THE ENTRANCE TO A HIGHWAY EXIT LANE, WORRIED THAT I MAY BE STRUCK. I CALLED THE DEALER FOR THE VEHICLE AND WITH MINIMAL TROUBLESHOOTING IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL STRIP (GAUGE) FOR THE FUEL LEVEL HAD FAILED AND WAS FALSELY DISPLAYING A 185 MILE RANGE. IN FACT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THIS GAUGE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED FOR BEING FAULTY BY THE DEALER AND THEY SAW THIS IN THEIR RECORDS WHICH IMMEDIATELY LED THEM TO THE FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE AMOUNG MANY BMW ENTHUSIASTS ON SEVERAL BMW MOTORCYLE MODELS. BMW CLAIMS THERE AR ENOT EMOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN HARD COPY TO COUNTER THEIR MISCONCEPTION AND OR LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS IS SIMILAR TO RECALLS ON VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT SENSORS CAUSING ENGINE POWER FAIL AND SHOULD BE VALUED AS THE SAME ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE WITH FAR LESS PROTECTION IN SUCH INSTANCES. UPON INQUIRY BMW MOTTORAD HAS MADE NO EFFORT IN RESPONDING TO ANY PROGRESS THEY HAVE MADE IN RECTIFYING THE ISSUE OTHER THAN QUIETLY ACKNOWLEDING IT BY GOING BACK TO MECHANICAL FUEL GAUGES WITH NEARLY NIL FAILURE RATES. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES OR WILL THE NHTSA TAKE ACTION ? I HOPE IT IS NOT ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS!

I OWN A TOURATECH ZEGA PRO ALUMINIUM PANNIER SET ON MY BMW R1200GS 2012 BIKE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS ON MARCH 3RD 2014, DURING A ROUTINE BIKE RIDE ON A HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT HAND SIDE 45L PANNIER BECAME DETACHED AND FELL OFF THE BIKE, ALTHOUGH I HAVE REGULARLY CHECKED THE BIKE & PANNIERS BEFORE RIDING. I NOTICED THE MISSING PANNIER ONLY UPON ARRIVING MY DESTINATION. I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THIS HAS HAPPENED AS I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH MY TOURATECH SET, AND WAS USING IT ON A DAILY BASIS. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS DETACHMENT DURING A REGULAR EVENTLESS BIKE RIDE. I CAN ASSURE YOU NO FAULTY USE OF THET ATTACHMENT SINCE I HAVE NOT DETACHED THE ZEGA PRO CASE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE FOR OVER 2 YEARS. THE CASE WAS USED AND CHECKED BY MYSELF DAILY, AS WELL AS BEFORE THE SPECIFIC RIDE OF THE INCIDENT, AND DID NOT APEAR TO BE UNSTABLE OR FAULTY. I DO THINK THIS IS SOMETHING TOURATECH SHOULD LOOK AT, AS THIS HAS OBVIOUSLY SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. I THINK TOURATECH SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSABILITY OF SUCH A SERIOUS INCIDENT THAT MAY HAVE ENDED MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY. *TR

BRAKING STARTED TO FEEL SOFT AND SLOW, I NOTICED THAT FLUID HAD STARTED TO LEAK FROM FINAL DRIVE AREA. TOOK TO DEALER (RIDE WEST BMW, SEATTLE), FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. DEALER VERIFIED FINAL DRIVE FAILURE.TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THESE WERE THE REPLACED ITEMS: CROWN BEARINGS, SEALING O-RING, SUPPORT RING, OUTER-AXLE SUPPORT BEARING, HOUSING COVER SEAL, AXLE SEALING RING, CIRCLIP, BRAKE PADS. *TR

BMW MOTORRAD USA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES PO BOX 1227 WESTWOOD, NJ 07675-1227 DEAR SIR: I HAVE RECENTLY HAD A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MY NEW 2012 R1200GS ADVENTURE. I BROUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE TO MY DEALER FOR THE 600 MILE BREAK-IN SERVICE AND MENTIONED TO SERVICE MANAGER THAT I HAVE BEEN FEELING A WOBBLE THROUGH THE HANDLEBARS WHEN CORNERING AND WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT. WHEN I ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE MOTORCYCLE THE DEALER WAS HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE WOBBLE. IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT FORWARD SUSPENSION NEEDLE BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT. I ASKED IF IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR A BEARING TO FAIL SO QUICKLY. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BEARING WAS NOT EVEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, IT WAS MISSING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT! THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE WAS BEING SUPPORTED ONLY BY THE BEARING DUST CAP! THIS WAS CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO MOVE SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING THE INSTABILITY. MY DEALER, ADVENTURE BMW OF CHESAPEAKE VIRGINIA, DID A GREAT AND PROFESSIONAL JOB OF QUICKLY FINDING THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE UNIT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE BEARING SURFACE WAS SEVERELY SCORED AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE MISSING NEEDLE BEARING. I ALSO CREDIT ADVENTURE BMW FOR THEIR EFFORTS AND WITH DIRECTLY PREVENTING A POSSIBLY LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT IF THE BEARING DUST CAP HAD FAILED WHILE RIDING. I HAVE BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES SINCE 1974 WITH THE LAST 15 YEARS ON BMWS. I HAVE PUT OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY LAST 3 BMWS AND I AM AN EVERYDAY RIDER USING THE BMWS AS THE PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR MY TRANSPORTATION. I HAD CHOSEN BMW FOR THEIR QUALITY AND RELIABILITY BUT I AM NOW QUESTIONING MY DECISION AND YOUR MANUFACTURING QUALITY CONTROLS AND WONDER EVERY TIME I RIDE WHAT ELSE IS MISSING ON THE MOTORCYCLE, MAYBE ONE OF THE PISTON RINGS OR A CIRCLIP RETAINER IN THE TRANSMISSION.

Riding at freeway speeds fuel system is spilling out fuel down both sides of the engine. I smelled strong fuel smell while riding but was unable to stop until almost home. At home inspected bike and discovered leak even while at idle but have not dug in to identify exact leak location. having it trailered into BWM repair facility when appointment available. I do not see a recall for my make year and model of 1200 GS but it does fall in the years listed as a concern?

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the motorcycle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the motorcycle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact started to slowly exit the highway, the drive shaft, rear drive, and swing arm failed and fractured apart with the rear wheel locking up. Due to the failure, the contact had the motorcycle towed to a dealer where the failure was confirmed. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the fuel pump failed and leaked fuel all over the motorcycle and onto the contact. The contact was able pull the motorcycle off the highway and with the assistance of his son; the motorcycle was loaded onto a trailer and taken to a dealer. The dealer was notified about the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that he would be notified when parts became available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 33,169. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that the part needed was finally available and was replaced.

DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT A "FLOATING SHAFT" EXISTS IN THE GEARBOX, MEANING THE SHAFT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AXIALLY, AS OPPOSED TO RADIALLY. THIS IS TYPICALLY CAUSED BY INCORRECT TORQUE PROCEDURES OR A DESIGN FLAW TO THE NUT HOLDING THE CLUTCH BASKET ON THE SHAFT. THE NUT WOULD LOOSEN, AND CAUSES THE SHAFT TO START MOVING BACK AND FORTH. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY AS IT CAN LOCK THE REAR WHEEL DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. THE "FLOATING SHAFT" ISSUE IS DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE RIDER/OWNER. APPARENTLY, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER MODELS OF BMW MOTORCYCLES BELOW 30K MILES, AND BMW MOTORRAD USA ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVE NOT PROVIDED A NEW GEARBOX FOR OTHER OWNERS. *TR

LEAKS DETECTED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FORKS/SUSPENSION. REQUIRES REPLACING THE FORK SEALS AND REBUILDING THE FORKS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R 1200 GS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE IT TO A BMW DEALER. BMW MOTORCYCLES OF UTAH (339 9000 S, SANDY, UT 84070, (801) 618-2700) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 1-15753758911. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW R1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated that while operating the motorcycle, the odor of fuel was present. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that the motorcycle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 40,000.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW R 1200 GS. The contact stated that while parked, the front suspension passenger side fork tube had separated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact referred to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V438000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 41,800.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW R 1200 Motorcycle. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and emitted abnormal sounds and failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until it responded. The contact was able to drive to his residence, where he noticed that the front forks were leaking oil onto the wheel and onto the brakes. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30,400.