BMW R 1200 GS Complaints
325 consumer complaints on file.
- #10483540November 6, 2012POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FINAL DRIVE STARTED LEAKING BEFORE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,845. UPDATED 12/21/12*LJ UPDATED 1/4/2013*JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10480870October 17, 2012POWER TRAIN
RIGHT ANGLE TRANSMISSION(FINAL DRIVE) BEARINGS FAILED REQUIRING A $2200 REPAIR. POOR DESIGN. ORIGINAL PART NOT AVAILABLE, FIRST MODIFICATION PART NOT AVAILABLE, SECOND MODIFICATION PART REQUIRED TO REPAIR MOTORCYCLE. BMW IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE INADEQUATE PART DESIGN. FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD MOST LIKELY BE FATAL. NEW PART NUMBER 01 33 11 7 726 889 RIGHT-ANGLE GEARBOX WITH VENT, *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10477315September 27, 2012POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE DRIVE-LINE SEAL WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: DP12001 (POWER TRAIN:DRIVE LINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 10/24/12*LJ UPDATED 10/25/12
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10475150September 12, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION MY LEFT PANT LEG WAS SOAKED IN FUEL. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL DISCONNECT FLANGE WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE VEHICLES LEFT EXHAUST PIPE AND IGNITION. MY EXPERIENCE MATCHES THAT OF ODI ID NUMBER : 10428629. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10474476September 10, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM RUNNING LIGHTS BURNED OUT EXTREMELY QUICK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROADWAY BECAUSE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BULBS, WHICH THEY RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10474390September 9, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP FLANGE IS CRACKED, ALLOWING 40PSI OF FUEL PRESSURE TO STREAM OUT OF TANK. GREAT RISK OF FIRE AS FUEL LANDS DIRECTLY ON EXHAUST. THERE WAS ONLY NO FIRE BECAUSE I NOTICED THE LEAD AND SUBSEQUENT PUDDLE OF FUEL BEFORE BIKE/PIPES GOT HOT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10473442August 27, 2012POWER TRAIN
FINAL DRIVE UNIT FAILED AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10471518August 20, 2012POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT AND DRIVE SHAFT WERE LEAKING A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL. THE REAR WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED ONE WHEEL BEARING AND THE SEAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT AND THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,700. UPDATED 09/11/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL PUMP AND RELAY WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/11/12
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10471237August 17, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD ONE WARNING LIGHT AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF ANY OTHER SYSTEM ON THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED, HE WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,856. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470368August 13, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. HAVE HAD SEVERAL FUEL LEVEL STRIPS REPLACED. BMW DEALER TELLS ME THERE IS NO FIX. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467998July 27, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE BEGINNING OF AN EXTENDED TRIP. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE MOTORCYCLE OFF, RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE, AND THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CONTINUED. BMW SERVICE SAID THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED, AND AS A RESULT NO ABS BRAKES WERE AVAILABLE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. BMW CHARGED $1000 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR, AND HAS ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT, REFUSED TO PARTIALLY REIMBURSE FOR THIS PART OR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MAY HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467136July 23, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE, I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT BOTTOM LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS SPRAYING ON TO MY LEFT LEG SOAKING IT IN FUEL. THE LOCATION OF THE SPRAY WAS DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE FRONT LEFT CYLINDER AND EXHAUST PIPE. THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WAS REAL. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER ( GULF COAST BMW IN HOUSTON ), THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND SHOWED ME A SAMPLE OF THE FAILED PART. I WAS THEN FORCED TO BUY A COMPLETE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AS BMW DID NOT SELL THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE THAT FAILED. THE FLANGE DEVELOPED A CRACK THAT ALLOWED FUEL TO ESCAPE UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. THE PARTS ALONE COST OVER 700 DOLLARS. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE COMMON TO THE R SERIES TWIN CYLINDER ENGINES. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT THEY REPLACED THE FAILED PART WITH EXACTLY THE SAME THING SO NOW I AM WAITING FOR THIS PART TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE EASILY ENDED TRAGICALLY. I AM WORRIED FOR THE SAFETY OF MANY OTHER RIDERS OUT THERE USING THIS MOTORCYCLE AND THUS I AM FILING THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOTIFIED BMW ABOUT THIS AND THEY JUST THANKED ME FOR INFORMING THEM - WITH NO FURTHER ACTION OR RELIEF FOR HAVING TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY FOR WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL PART FAILED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10466931July 22, 2012POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW WITH JUST OVER 300 MILES ON IT. AFTER I BEGAN RIDING IT I DISCOVERED THAT IT WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THIS STALLING WOULD OCCUR WHEN DECELERATING FROM HIGH RPMS (ABOVE 2000), WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS CLOSED AND THE CLUTCH WAS PULLED IN. THE MOTORCYCLE NOW HAS OVER 13,000 MILES ON IT AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES AND FOR OVER SEVERAL MONTHS CUMULATIVELY. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE, YET THEIR ANSWER (THAT THEY 'CAN'T FIND AN ISSUE') REMAINS UNCONVINCING, IN MY MIND. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A HAZARD AT NIGHT WHEN THE LIGHTS DIM IN ORDER TO RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10466424July 18, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE RIDING ALONG A TWISTY RURAL ROAD WITH A PASSENGER THE ENGINE QUIT WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE RURAL NATURE OF THE ROADWAY AND THE PREVAILING TERRAIN, THERE WERE FEW SAFE PLACES TO PULL OVER. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE AND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY REGAIN BALANCE OF THE MACHINE AND COAST UNTIL A SAFE PULLOUT COULD BE REACHED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY INDICATING ABOUT 1/3 OF A TANK OF FUEL REMAINING WHEN THE TANK WAS EMPTY, ALSO, THE LOW FUEL LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE OR THE RANGE TO EMPTY APPEAR, AS IS THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM. THE FUEL INDICATION SYSTEM ON THIS MACHINE CONSISTS OF A FUEL GAUGE, A LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND A RANGE UNTIL EMPTY. THE SYSTEM HAD WORKED ACCURATELY UNTIL THE FAILURE, MEANING I HAD NO PREVIOUS INDICATION THAT THE SYSTEM WAS FAILING OR ABOUT TO FAIL. SINCE MOTORCYCLE STABILITY IS FREQUENTLY DEPENDENT ON PROPER APPLICATION OF THROTTLE, THE SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF THE ENGINE COULD QUITE EASILY LEAD TO A CRASH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10461460June 13, 2012FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL STRIP SENSOR FAILED. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS AND INDICATE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE FUEL STRIP SENSOR WAS REPAIRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500... UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10461180June 11, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BMW MOTORCYCLES FUEL GAUGE WITH "ELECTRONIC FUEL STRIP" FAIL RESULTING IN SAME CONDITION AS THEIR CAR RECALL SHOWN BELOW! DANGEROUS CONDITION RESULTS. (POST 2010 MODELS CHANGED TO FLOAT TYPE SYSTEM). SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 5-SERIES AND 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12 THROUGH JULY 1, 2010. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WITHIN THE FUEL TANK CAN BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE TANK. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD DISPLAY A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. AS A RESULT, IF THE TANK BECAME EMPTY, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10459207May 22, 2012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
FAILURE FOUND DURING SCHEDULED SERVICE WORK. FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE CRACKS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE.WITH RISK OF LEAKING FUEL, IS EXHAUSTED ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG, CREATING SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR THE RIDER EVEN AFTER DISMOUNTING THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE THE COMBINATION OF HIGH FUEL PRESSURE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN CREATE SUBSTANTIAL RISK FOR RIDERS OF THE IMPACTED VEHICLES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE.1. RIDERS BECOME FUEL SOAKED AS FUEL LEAKS ON TO THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. 2. FUEL VAPORS, HEATED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE BECOME EXTREMELY VOLATILE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. 3. FUEL VAPORS RISING FROM THE FAIRING AND EXITING THE TOP OF THE FAIRING BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FUEL TANK, ARE BLOWN BY AIRFLOW INTO THE RIDERS FACE. THE CARCINOGENIC ASPECTS OF FUEL INHALATION ARE DOCUMENTED. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY SUGGESTS THAT THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE WAS INADEQUATELY DESIGNED FOR THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET PRESSURES. BMW'S CHOICE OF A NON-METALLIC (COMPOSITE) PUMP HOUSING COMBINED WITH A COMPOSITE HIGH-PRESSURE DISCONNECT FITTING WAS UNWISE AND THE FAILURE MECHANISM IS OBVIOUS. HIGH PUMP PRESSURE EXPANDS THE COMPOSITE HIGH-PRESSURE FITTING CAUSING IT TO READILY LOAD THE FUEL PUMP HIGH-PRESSURE QUICK DISCONNECT FLANGE. OVER TIME, PRESSURE CYCLING CAUSES THE QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE TO CRACK ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456143April 23, 2012FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYING 1/2 TANK OF FUEL WHEN TANK WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. MOTORCYCLE RAN OUT OF FUEL ON BUSY FREEWAY WITH LIMITED SHOULDER ACCESS. WAS ALMOST HIT BY NUMEROUS CARS GETTING TO A SAFE PLACE. FUEL LEVEL STRIP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND IS AGAIN NOT WORKING. THIS IS VERY COMMON ON THESE MOTORCYCLES, AND DANGEROUS AS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL BE OUT OF GAS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455787April 19, 2012FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE SENSOR STRIP, FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK OR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH POST 2005 BMW MOTORCYCLES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE, COULD POSSIBLY RUN OUT OF GAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. BMW NEEDS TO RECALL ALL BIKES WITH THIS FUEL STRIP AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO ENSURE THE PUBLIC IS OUT OF HARMS WAY!!! *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10454396April 6, 2012FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL MODULE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT FAILED AGAIN, LEAVING ME STRANDED AGAIN, ON JUNE 7, 2011. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS 'RARE'. SEEMS LIKE AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO ME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0