Bmw K1200LT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
196 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
37,290 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 169 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 196 complaints (24.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 27.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 48 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 24 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 22 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 6 |
Power Train: 48; Power Train:Driveline: 24; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 22; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 9; Service Brakes: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 44 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 75 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 28 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 44; 25,000 to 49,999: 75; 50,000 to 74,999: 28; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (75). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 38 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
2001: 2; 2002: 21; 2003: 38; 2004: 14; 2005: 12; 2006: 15; 2007: 8; 2008: 7; 2009: 7; 2010: 6; 2011: 3; 2012: 28; 2013: 12; 2014: 6; 2015: 5; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023588 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
1999 BMW MOTORCYCLE, REAR DRIVE FAILURE ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK ONTO REAR TIRE AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 35,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030246 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE - FINAL DRIVE WENT OUT. THE FINAL DRIVE STARTING MAKING NOISE THEN DUMPED ALL FLUID ONTO THE REAR BRAKE AND TIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167526 · 2006-09-07 (September 7, 2006)
THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. THIS BIKE USES TWO QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS IN THE FUEL LINES NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THESE CONNECTORS ARE MADE OF A PLASTIC-LIKE MATERIAL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CRACKING. WHEN SUCH A FAILURE OCCURS (THEY ARE COMMON), THE PRESSURIZED FUEL SPRAYS AROUND UNDER THE DECORATIVE COVERS OF THE BIKE WITHOUT ANY WARNING OTHER THAN THE ODOR OF FUEL AND VISUALLY DETECTABLE LEAKS. IF LEFT UNDETECTED, THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF FIRE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING RIDDEN. BMW OFFERS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE CONNE…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246835 · 2008-10-27 (October 27, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE O-RING IN THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, FUEL BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. SECONDLY, HE BELIEVES THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE REPAIR IS INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE IT ONLY REQUIRES THE TECHNICIANS TO ADJUST ALL CRIM…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048055 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118078 · 2005-04-19 (April 19, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING A 2002 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. I HAS SPENT THE DAY DRIVING AROUND TOWN, LOCALLY AT AVERAGE CITY SPEEDS & IN AVERAGE TRAFFIC. WHILE SLOWING TO INITIATE A TURN I DOWN SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE SNAPPED. THIS LEFT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER DANGLING LOOSELY. WHILE STUCK IN 1ST GEAR, I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. THE REPAIR TOOK A WHOLE WEEK SINCE THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER PARTS. THE PARTS, SUPPOSEDLY COMING FROM GERMANY, DID NOT GET TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TIME. THEY HAD TO TAKE THE PARTS FROM ANOTHER VEH…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,305 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762915 · 2002-06-11 (June 11, 2002)
I BOUGHT MOTORCYCLE USED JUST RECENTLY FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. WHEN TEMPERATURES STARTED REACHING UP TO 90 DEGREES AND ABOVE, THE THROTTLE BECAME VERY HESITANT WHEN DOING A SLOW ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, THEN SURGE FORWARD A COUPLE TIMES.. EVEN WHEN HOLDING THE THROTTLE CONSTANT. THIS HAS PUT ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS LIKE WHEN MAKING TURNS FROM A STOP AND THE BIKE DOES NOT KEEP THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE TO HOLD THE BIKE UP BECAUSE IT HESITATES, OR WHEN ACCELERATING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OR IN BUSY CITY STREETS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240734 · 2008-09-03 (September 3, 2008)
FINAL DRIVE FAILURE RESULTING IN REAR WHEEL SEIZURE AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER TO REAR WHEEL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025802 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A BMW K1200LTS: IT IS TOP HEAVY AND WILL GET AWAY FROM THE OPERATOR AND ROLL OVER (STANDING STILL OR DURING A VERY SLOW MANEUVER): IN SHORT IF IT EXCEEDS ITS VIRTICAL BALANCE IT WILL FLOP OVER SLAMING THE OPERATOR ONTO THE PAVEMENT. *AK . I CALLED NORMAND BRODEUR, (MANAGER DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM, UNDER STATE OF MAINE, SECRETARY OF STATE, BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES) AND ASKED HIM IF HE KNEW ABOUT THIS MOTORCYCLE AND HE TOLD ME HE'D OPERATED ONE AND THAT THEY ARE "TOP-HEAVY". HE KINDLY SENT ME A WORK BOOK T…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025802 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0; 2004: 0; 2006: 0; 2008: 0; 2009: 0