2003 BMW K1200lt

Routine

Owners filed 21 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train7
101
Unknown or Other2
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
010
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings2
000
Service Brakes1
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission › Column Shift Assembly1
000
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft1
101
Power Train › Driveline1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Apr 8, 2021107,000 milesAZ

DRIVE SHAFT HAD BREAK, DANGEROUS. CAUSED THE FINAL DRIVE GEARS TO BREAK, DANGEROUS. ON THE ROAD.

Power Train
Filed Apr 8, 202187,770 milesAZ

CLUTCH PLATE CRACKED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL PARTS TO THE FINAL DRIVE

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2021103,684 milesAZ

BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Apr 6, 202142,600 milesAZ

2003 BMW K1200LTC TOURING MOTORCYCLE, WENT UP IN MASSIVE FLAMES AND A SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION, WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING / IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES. FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED 10 MINUTES LATER, AND BATTELLED THE FLAMED FOR 7 MORE MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH IT. LUCKILY NO PERSONAL INJURY, BUT SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT. INITIAL WHITE SMOKE, AND FLAMES OBSERVED AT THE FUEL-RAIL ABOVE THE ENGINE FRONT, LEFT HAND SIDE.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 9, 202042,600 milesAZ

2003 BMW K1200LT BURNED TO ASHES ON 12-08-2020. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE FROM FRONT. FLAMES IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE. RECENT SERVICES- FEB 2020, INCLUDED REPLACING QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINES WITH NEW METAL UPGRADES, AFTER FUEL LEAK DETECTED. 42K MILES. HUGE FIRE. EXTREME DANGER WARNING.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 20, 201450,737 milesUT

WHILE RIDING, FUEL BEGAN POURING OUT OVER MY RIGHT FOOT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECTS (USED FOR REMOVING THE FUEL TANK) DETERIORATED BECAUSE THEY ARE PLASTIC (THE PLASTIC PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED--THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOW METAL). MY DEALER REPLACED THE DISCONNECTS WITH THE NEW, METAL PART. *TR

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 23, 201333,245 milesCO

THE FINAL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE, CAUSE CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL, EJECTION FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE MACHINE. THE RIDER SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES, MOSTLY ABRASIONS AND BRUISES, AND BROKEN BONES. THE TIRE PRESSURES AND FINAL DRIVE FLUID LEVEL HAD BEEN CHECKED THAT DAY, AND WERE CORRECT. A $10,000 MACHINE WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF A CHEAP PART THAT IS A KNOWN DEFECT, HAS OCCURRED OVER AND OVER, AND BMW HAS NOT BEEN ORDERED TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 5, 201231,555 milesWI

FELT A STRANGE VIBRATION. EXITED THE ROAD AT THE NEXT EXIT ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. UPON SLOWING BELOW 20 MPH, THE VIBRATION INCREASED. BRAKING WAS DIMINISHED AND USED DOWN SHIFTING. PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE. FOUND OIL RUNNING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE DOWN THE BRAKE ROTOR AND RIM/TIRE. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER. DEALER SAID THE FINAL DRIVE BEARINGS HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PRE-2004 FINAL DRIVES, THE DEALER REPLACED WITH A FINAL DRIVE FROM A 2006. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 6, 201230,876 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 BMW K1200 LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE VEHICLE SEIZE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BEARINGS, O-RINGS, AND REAR WHEEL SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,876.

Power Train
Filed Feb 4, 201218,646 milesMO

BMW K1200LT 2003 MOTORCYLE I PURCHASED USED WITH 8700 MILES ON THE BIKE. AT 18646 HAVING ALL THE MAINTENANCE DONE BY THE DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A RUMBLING SOUND TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I PULLED OVER THINKING IT MIGHT BE A BAD TIRE AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING ON THE REAR TIRE/RIM. OIL ON THE REAR BRAKES DID HAMPER MY SLOWING DOWN. BMW REPAIRED THE FINAL DRIVE SAYING THE OUTSIDE BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE OIL SEAL TO FAIL. AT 25,423 MILES THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A HIGH PRICED BIKE AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH I BELIEVE NOW THAT IT WASN'T ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND DURING THE REPAIR NO CHANGE ON THE NEW BEARING WAS DONE SO IT FAILED A SECOND TIME. I FINALLY PURCHASED A USED FINAL DRIVE TO CONTINUE RIDING. I NOW HAVE 129,025 ON THE BIKE AND THE USED FINAL DRIVE IS STILL PERFORMING OK SO THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL DRIVE ON THIS BIKE. A NEW FINAL DRIVE WASN'T IN MY BUDGET. I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN IN A HARD CURVE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. NOT GOOD, I'D SAY. BMW CAN/SHOULD DO BETTER DURING ASSEMBLY. *KB

Power Train
Filed Feb 3, 2012143,740 milesTX

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE KENTUCKY PARKWAY I FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION AND SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I SLOWED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR TIRE I FOUND A LOT OF GEAR OIL ON THE TIRE, RIM, AND REAR DRIVE. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOSE TRACTION AND CRASH. *KB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 1, 201021,740 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS QUICK RELEASE FUEL LINES THAT ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND THEY BREAK EASILY. IF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THEY BREAK, GAS WOULD LEAK ONTO THE DRIVER AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LINES, ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS PURCHASED THAT THE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21740 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21740. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 11/28/2011 *LN

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 1, 200921,050 milesMA

FUEL SMELL FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING. FUEL SPRAY ON MY RIGHT BOOT. REMOVED SIDE FAIRING, STARTED ENGINE AND NOTICED FUEL SPRAYING FROM PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTOR. REPLACED PLASTIC CONNECTOR WITH BRASS.*TR

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Feb 11, 200877,461 milesPA

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. LOSS OF HYPOID FLUID CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL ON MOTORCYCLE. WAS ABLE TO STAY UPRIGHT. *TR

Power Train › Driveline › DriveshaftCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 11, 200648,000 milesPA

2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 31, 200618,869 milesMO

BMW 0703 K1200LTC MOTORCYCLE REAR END FAILED AT LESS THAN 19,000 MILES CREATING A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY. HOWEVER BY HEARING THE GEAR NOISE IN TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE BEFORE THE REAR SEAL ALLOWED OIL OUT OF THE REAR END. SO IT HAD TO BE A BEARING FAILURE IN MY OPINION. AT THIS TIME NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jun 2, 200633,320 milesTX

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 BMW K1200LTE MOTORCYCLE THAT JUST EXPERIENCED A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER PRESSURE DUE TO A CRACKED PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING ON A FUEL LINE THAT WAS UNDER PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED SPRAYING FUEL TO SOAK MY RIGHT SHOE AND RUN DOWN OVER THE HOT ENGINE. THERE WAS A BULLETIN FROM BMW TO HAVE THE QUICK DISCONNECTS, O-RINGS, AND CLAMPS CHECKED. I HAD THIS DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE BULLETIN HOWEVER DOESN'T PROVIDE FOR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH AN UPGRADED PART. THERE HAVE NOW BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THIS MODEL BIKE. YOU CAN GO TO THE WWW.BMWLT.COM WEBSITE FORUM AND SEARCH FOR FUEL LEAK TO GET AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE INSTANCES. ONE BIKE BURNED TO THE GROUND, BUT BMW STATES THAT IT WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING....I WONDER ABOUT THAT. THE RIDER WAS KILLED. I FEEL IT MY DUTY TO REPORT THIS AND HOPE THAT A RECALL AND REDESIGN OF THE PART CAN PREVENT ANYONE FROM DYING. A SIDE NOTE TO THIS IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VAST AMOUNT OF FUEL GETTING ON THE REAR TIRE AND CAUSING A CRASH DUE TO SLIPPAGE. RON KELLENBENZ 18123 CR 1275 TYLER, TX 75703 903 839-5132 [email protected]. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Feb 16, 200635,800 milesTX

REAR DRIVE BEARING FAILED. *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission › Column Shift Assembly
Filed Oct 12, 200415,453 milesUT

FAILED SHIFTER ON MOTORCYCLE. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 7, 2003462 milesCA

THE SHIFT LINKAGE BROKE ON MY 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT MODEL IS K1200LT - YOUR DROP DOWN MENU BELOW DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS CHOICE!! *PH

20 of 21 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20094000Routine
20084000Routine
20061000Routine
200519200Routine
20044000Routine
2003 — this page21020Routine
200237010Routine
200125010Routine
200051000Routine
199950020Routine

Compare every K1200lt year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.