2013 Bmw R1200 GS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 40.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
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 | 3 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Structure: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10555171 · 2013-12-07 (December 7, 2013)
AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF RIDING THE BIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS MOTORCYCLE'S FUEL SYSTEM STARTS TO HAVE TROUBLE IDLING. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER THE ENGINE IS HOT THE BIKE SEEMS HAVE PROBLEMS IDLING PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE SLOWING FOR LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, THE BIKE HAS A TENANCY TO STALL. THIS MOTORCYCLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHEN THE MOTOR IS WARM AND THE WHILE BREAKING AFTER DOWN-SHIFTING QUICKLY. IT HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THE BIKE STALLS IN BOTH COLD WEATHER AND IN HOT WEATHER. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO STA…
Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654615 · 2014-11-12 (November 12, 2014)
IN JUNE 2014 MY MOTORCYCLE WOULDN'T START. I TOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD INFORMED ME THAT MY GASOLINE WAS STALE. I HAD NOT RIDDEN THE MOTORCYCLE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PURCHASE FUEL STABILIZER IF I DO NOT INTEND TO RIDE IT REGULARLY. I PURCHASED THE FUEL STABILIZER AND THEN RODE THE BIKE MONTHLY FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. LAST WEEKEND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I TOWED THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY AGAIN CLAIMED THE BIKE HAD STALE GASOLINE. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11099088 · 2018-05-31 (May 31, 2018)
THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND RECORDS A SPEED 20 MPH BELOW ACTUAL SPEED. THIS LED TO BOTH A SAFETY RISK DUE TO EXCESSIVE SPEED AND AN INABILITY TO ACCURATELY COMPLY WITH THE SPEED LIMIT. EXCESSIVE SPEED IS THE #1 CAUSE OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS. I NEARLY EXPERIENCE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO INACCURATE SPEEDOMETER READING ON A CURVY ROAD. I CALLED BMW AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAFETY RISK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11099088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11217318 · 2019-06-01 (June 1, 2019)
MY 2013 BMW R1200GS HAD A FRAME FAILURE WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION/HANDLE BARS ARE MOUNTED TO. FRAME TORE AT THE TRIPLE TREE MOUNT ON A BIKE USED AS A COMMUTER FOR 54K. THE BIKE WAS AT IDLE ON THE DRIVEWAY AND FELL. THE ONLY POINT OF CONTACT WAS THE ENGINE GUARD. THE FORCE OF ME PICKING UP THE BIKE BY THE HANDLE BARS WAS THE LAST AMOUNT NEEDED TO TEAR THE ALREADY FATIGUED FRAME. I WAS FORTUNATE IT DID FALL THAT DAY, HAD IT NOT AND I RODE IT I WOULDN'T BE HEAR TODAY TO WRITE THIS. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11217318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11269361 · 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R1200 GS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A FUEL STATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF ESCONDIDO (LOCATED AT 499 N HALE AVE, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269361 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V154000 · Suspension:Front
Reported: 2013-04-22 (April 22, 2013)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 R1200 GS motorcycles manufactured January 9, 2013, through February 8, 2013. Due to an insufficient torque of a locking bolt, the front fork tube may loosen.
Consequence: If the fork loosens it may hinder the rider's ability to control the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will reinforce the affected fork locking bolt connections, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety recall by telephone on April 22 and April 23, 2013. Therefore, an owner notification letter will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V065000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | Electrical System
Reported: 2014-02-19 (February 19, 2014)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 C 600 Sport, C 650 GT, F 700 GS, F 800 GS, F 800 GS Adventure, F 800 GT, R 1200 R and R1200 GS motorcycles. Water may enter the side-stand switch preventing the motorcycle from starting or potentially shutting off the motorcycle while it is being ridden.
Consequence: An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side-stand switch, free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA campaign record ↗