2011 BMW R1200 GS

Routine

Owners filed 7 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Power Train2
000
Suspension1
000
Service Brakes1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump21V060000
Filed Feb 8, 202120,963 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.

Risk. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump20V471000
Filed Aug 10, 202016,926 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal17E052000
Filed Aug 21, 20179,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain accessory turn signals manufactured for 2006-2017 R1200GS, 2007-2008 and 2010-2017 R1200GS Adventure, 2017 F700GS and F800GS, 2013-2017 F800GT, 2015-2016 F800R, 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure, 2014-2016 S1000R, 2015-2017 R1200R, 2016-2017 R1200RS, and 2010-2017 S1000RR motorcycles. As designed, these accessory turn signals may be insufficiently visible to other drivers, and, as such, fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. If other drivers cannot easily see the turn signals, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump13V617000
Filed Dec 12, 201350,184 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

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 auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy. 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 at [email protected].

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Feb 10, 2025FL

While under hard acceleration to pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway, the engine power suddenly cut out completely that created a dangerous situation and suddenly put me at risk for a collision. Fortunately, the vehicle I was passing noticed I had a malfunction and reduced speed allowing me to return back into my lane and safely coast to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was able to idle only, but turning the throttle had no effect as if the throttle cable had snapped. I had my vehicle towed back home and after inspection determined that the plastic throttle body cable pulleys on both throttle bodies have split in two pieces disabling the throttle cable's ability to open the butterflies on the throttle bodies. The plastic pulleys are brittle and obviously an inferior material used on a critical safety component. Part numbers 1354 7705239 and 1354 7705240. Online forums revealed that this is a very common failure on BMW motorcycle boxer engines with many owners suggesting preventative maintenance to reinforce the plastic throttle body cable pulleys with metal washers and JB weld or replace with aftermarket custom made alloy machine parts. This is a very common problem and can result in death or injury if the part fails on the wrong time. It blows my mind that BMW is ignoring such a well-known issue and not issuing a recall to replace the throttle bodies with upgraded parts that are safe.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 20, 2024TX

Fuel pump flange failure resulting in leaking fuel while I was riding the bike. It is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the bike could have caught fire while riding and also potentially could have caused me to crash. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The component hasn't been inspected by BMW or any representative. There was no warning or symptom other than I could smell fuel while I was riding. In April 2014 BMW issued recall notice 13V-617 for a potential fuel leak at the fuel pump flange. The remedy by BMW was to place a reinforcing ring around the fuel pump flange or replace the fuel pump with a new pump that had a preinstalled reinforcing ring. My fuel pump was replaced in November 2015 under the recall. At the conclusion of my ride on 11/16/24 my inspection revealed fuel leaking around the fuel pump flange with fuel puddling on top of the fuel pump. Enough fuel leaked and dispersed during my ride that fuel had also collected in between the cylinder cooling fins on one side of the motor which is a potential ignition source. It was also evident that fuel had blown onto the side of the bike. I was extremely fortunate fuel didn't contact the exhaust pipe which is in proximity to where fuel was leaking and ignite. Even though it has been 9 years since my fuel pump was replaced the reinforcing ring remedy for the fuel pump flange does not work as evidenced by the leak on my bike. The leak shou

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 24, 2023ID

Found fuel vapor to be strongly smelled while at a stop light. Upon arrival at home when turning the motorcycle around there were drips coming from the right side of the motorcycle (more specifically the fuel tank). After removing the faring, there was a collection of fuel sitting on top of the fuel tank outlet. Upon closer inspection, the quick disconnect which threads into the fuel tank cap to pull fuel out of the tank has a hairline crack. it continually purges fuel at a trickling pace when the fuel level is above the tank port, there is a steady flow when the bike is in operation. The location of the fuel drip falls directly on the exhaust pipe header on the front right side of the motorcycle which could lead to a fire causing property damage and or bodily harm. The motorcycle has not been inspected by the local dealer as they are backlogged with a summertime influx of customers.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 4, 2022GA

First reported front brake failure to BMW Motorcycle dealer in Chattanooga TN in fall of 2019. Lever went to grip and had to be pumped several times to engage. Dealer could not replicate problem or find anything wrong. June 2022, experienced rear brake failure though several pumps would recover system but only temporarily. Dealer suspected rear master cylinder was culprit but a new one made no difference. Now I’m told it is the ABS servo which is very expensive. Motorcycle has been maintained according to schedule by this dealer. Brakes are a vital part of this motorcycle.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 25, 20205,500 milesOR

RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014. NEW PART FAILED 2020 AND BMW SAYS ONLY 2 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL PART. THAT'S ACCORDING TO BMW SERIVICE AS WELL AS BMW OF WESTERN OREGON. THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. FIRE AND LIFE HAZARD!!!! FAILURE LEAKS FUEL ON ENGINE AND EXHAUST. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 18, 201614,000 milesAL

AFTER FEW KM (16.700) A LOT OF NOISE COMES FROM GEAR BOX. I SEARCH ON THE WEB IF SOMEBODY ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND A LOT. MANY CUSTOMER CLAIMS THAT OUT OF WARRANTY THE GEAR FAULT CAUSING SERIOUS NOISE AND IN SOME CASE CRASH AND INJURIES. THE PROBLEM CONSIST IN A FAULT OF THE OF THE SHAFT IN THE GEARBOX THAT CAN CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL LOCKING. IN FACT, THIS MOTORCYCLE HAD A RIGID TRANSMISSION MADE WITH A SHAFT. WHEN THE SHAFT OF THE GEARBOX CRACK, SOME SMALL METAL PARTS CAN SIMPLY LOCK THE TRANSMISSION. BMW WELL KNOW THE PROBLEM DUE TO SEVERAL MAINTENANCE JOB. I'M WRITING FROM ITALY. I KNOW THAT PROBABLY YOU CAN'T DO NOTHING FOR ME, BUT IN ANY CASE, I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUE IN US. THIS IS THE REASON WHY I WANT TO REVEAL THIS BIG UNSOLVED PROBLEM WITH BMW.

Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 201515,500 milesVA

THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT EQUIPPED, NON-SERVICEABLE, REAR SHOCK FAILED AT ONLY 15,500 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $2000. I TAKE THE POSITION THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA'S EXPECTATION THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE FAILURE OF SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS AND 15,500 MILES IS EXCEPTIONALLY UNREASONABLE, AND BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.

7 of 7 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20184200Routine
20173410Routine
201612400Routine
201510400Routine
201414501Fatalities reported
201311600Routine
201210200Routine
2011 — this page7400Routine
20108400Routine
200930530Routine
200832910Routine
200742700Routine
200691000Routine
200551900Routine
20044300Routine

Compare every R1200 GS 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.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 8, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.