2008 Bmw R 1200 GS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 14 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 64.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Hoses/Valves/Sensors | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Evaporative Emissions:Hoses/Valves/Sensors: 1; Power Train: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10417320 · 2011-07-29 (July 29, 2011)
A PLASTIC FLANGE ON THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. THE FLANGE CONTAINS AN INTERNAL THREAD THAT SECURES ONE OF THE FUEL LINES. SEVERAL CRACKS ARE VISIBLE AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE FLANGE. CRACKS, IN MY OPINION, APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO OVER-TORQUE AT ASSEMBLY AND/OR MATERIAL DEGRADATION DUE TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FUEL, TIME AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. THE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK THAT IS POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST PIPE. FORTUNATELY THE VOLUME OF LEAKED FUEL WAS SMALL (<1 FL O…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,569 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471518 · 2012-08-20 (August 20, 2012)
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 36,7…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11466015 · 2022-05-25 (May 25, 2022)
There is a small plastic cam on the throttle body that gets pulled by the throttle cable to control the butterfly valve. They break easily and cause a loss of power and engine control. I have seen many others posting on line with same issue
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11466015 at NHTSA ↗