2005 Bmw R1200 GS: complaints, problems and recalls

IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, I HAVE RIDDEN OVER 100,000 MILES ON SIX DIFFERENT BMW MOTORCYCLES, ALL PURCHASED NEW. I RIDE YEAR-ROUND AND HAVE ALWAYS USED AN ELECTRIC VEST TO AVOID HYPOTHERMIA. IN SEPTEMBER, 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. DURING A CROSS-COUNTRY RIDE IN MAY, 2006, MY NON-BMW BRAND ELECTRIC VEST FAILED TO FUNCTION DURING RAIN AND COLD TEMPERATURES ENCOUNTERED IN SOUTH DAKOTA. THE NEXT DAY, I EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL FATIGUE, WENT OFF THE ROAD IN KANSAS, TOTALED THE BIKE AND BROKE MY LEG. I SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT BY REA…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160356 at NHTSA ↗

2005 BMW R1200GS. ABS OFF, BLINKING BRAKE FAILURE, ONLY RESIDUAL BRAKING. DEALER RESET THE ABS COMPUTER, BUT CAME BACK AFTER ONE WEEK, ONLY RESIDUAL BRAKING NOW, (REQUIRE EXTRA ORDINARY LEVER GRIP TO STOP) THIS IF NOT PREPARED TO STOP COULD CAUSE A CRASH, WHAT IS CAUSING THE ABS TO DEACTIVATE. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT IS STUCK ON BRIGHT, NO ABS, RESIDUAL BRAKING, DEALER TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT IN, IS THAT SAFE? NO WORKING BRAKE LIGHT? BMW SHOULD INVESTIGATE PROBLEM AND CORRECT PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161346 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AFTERMARKET SADDLE BAG INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP HAD SEPARATED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE TWICE AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165627 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 65MPH INTO 40-50MPH WIND, THE LEFT SIDE PANEL DETACHED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND STRUCK HIS KNEE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REATTACH THE PANEL. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND EXTREMELY WINDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6300. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191687 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BECAME FLAT. WHEN HE REMOVED THE WHEEL, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A LOOSE BEARING CAUSED THE FAILURE. HE STATED THAT BMW DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT IS HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED WITH NEW BEARINGS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,500. THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPLACED BEARINGS AND SEALS @ 17,670 AND THE SECOND DEALER REPL…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197057 at NHTSA ↗

REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, TYPICALLY IN 6000 MILES, AS OPPOSED TO TYPICAL PAD LIFE WHICH IS ~18-24000 MILES. NO SYMPTOMS WERE NOTED PREVIOUS TO THE BRAKE PADS WEARING OUT. WHEN REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT, THERE IS LOSS OF REAR BRAKING ABILITY. THIS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FOR ME, BUT COULD EASILY CATCH A RIDER BY SURPRISE AND CAUSE A CRASH AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF REAR BRAKE. BMW CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THESE BIKES, AND THEREFORE NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE ACTUAL PROBLEM, ASIDE FROM HAVING THE OWNER PAY AND HAVE NEW BRAKE P…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202317 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS. WHILE CRUISING AT 40 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS WERE STILL OPERABLE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDEWALK. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED FOR ONLY TEN SECONDS AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE FUEL MODULE CONTROLS AND CORRODED THE CABLES, WHICH PREVENTED A SIGNAL FROM REACHING THE FUEL PUMP. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V082000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) WAS REFERENCED. THE POWERT…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206360 at NHTSA ↗

MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT ON RUGGED MOUNTAIN ROADWAY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. SHIFTING REQUIRED STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND/OR DOUBLE CLUTCHING. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DRIVE SPLINE WITHOUT LUBRICATION. HAD THIS OCCURRED IN A BUSY AREA, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FATAL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208077 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2004-06-22 (June 22, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE INTEGRAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (IABS) SENSOR SEALING O-RING CONNECTION AT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING MAY BE DAMAGED. AN OIL LEAK MAY DEVELOP.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, OIL COULD CONTACT THE REAR WHEEL AND THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DISK, AND THE RIDER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE. A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL IABS SENSOR SEALING O-RING. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Reported: 2004-12-06 (December 6, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AN ADAPTER IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE CONNECTS A RIGID SECTION TO A FLEXIBLE SECTION. IF THE RIGID SECTION IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED IN THE ADAPTER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A LEAK TO DEVELOP.

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LOSS COULD RESULT. THE REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE LINE AND ADAPTER. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS THAT THE RIGID SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED IN THE ADAPTER, THEN THE ENTIRE ADAPTER WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Reported: 2005-03-03 (March 3, 2005)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE DEFECT INVOLVES A WATER LEAK AROUND THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS INTEGRATED WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. AN O-RING SEAL ATTACHED TO THE PUMP'S ELECTRONIC HOUSING DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER CAN BYPASS THIS SEAL AND CONTACT THE PUMP ELECTRONICS.

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING, OR A FAILURE TO START, COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE RIDER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SEALING RING. IF THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC UNIT IS CORRODED, IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2005. ADDITIONAL MY 2005 R1200 GS MOTORCYCLES WERE ADDED TO THIS RECALL IN DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS OF MY 2005 MOTORCYCLES WILL RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION DURING FEBRUARY 2006 THROUGH AUGUST 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Reported: 2005-04-27 (April 27, 2005)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, EXPOSURE OF THE THROTTLE HOUSING TO ROAD DEBRIS COULD FALL AND BECOME CAUGHT BETWEEN THE THROTTLE-BODY AND THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESTRICT MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE-CABLE PULLEY THAT, IN TURN, COULD AFFECT THROTTLE OPERATION AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER OVER THE THROTTLE-CABLE PULLEY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Reported: 2006-04-24 (April 24, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IF CERTAIN PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMED THAT INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER, THE ABS SENSOR CABLE CAN BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND WHEN THE CALIPER IS REINSTALLED, THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST THE FRONT BRAKE DISC. OVERTIME, IF THE CHAFING BECOMES SEVERE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE THE ABS FUNCTION.

Consequence: LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH DURING CERTAIN RIDING CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A MORE SECURE CONNECTION TO THE WHEEL CARRIER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006, AND WILL BE A PHASED MAILING THROUGH OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Reported: 2006-05-15 (May 15, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, UNDER RAPID, REPEATED, AND UNUSUALLY HARSH BRAKING, LOSS OF ABS CAPABILITY COULD TEMPORARILY OCCUR.

Consequence: TEMPORARY LOSS OF ABS BRAKING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A PHYSICAL RESTRICTION, IN THE FORM OF A BANJO BOLT WITH A FLOW RESTRICTOR TO THE BRAKE LINE, AND ON CERTAIN MODELS DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT BRAKE DISCS OF A SLIGHTLY LARGER THICKNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006, AND WILL BE A PHASED MAILING THROUGH OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Reported: 2020-08-10 (August 10, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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.