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FaultScore report

2007 BMW R 1200 GS problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2007 BMW R 1200 GS with NHTSA between 2011 and 2021. The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the BMW R 1200 GS All 2007 cars
D

FaultScore 79/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW R 1200 GS.

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

23,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

59%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 57 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 57
Against the median year of the BMW R 1200 GS. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
38.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
59% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2007 compares with every other BMW R 1200 GS

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2007 BMW R 1200 GS

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Fuel & Propulsion 7 38.9%

Median failure at 23,250 miles

Brakes 4 22.2%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 29,500 mi

Other & Unspecified 1 5.6%

Median failure at 47,000 miles

Lights 1 5.6%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

Suspension 1 5.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 67,000 mi

Airbags 1 5.6%

Median failure at 14,944 miles

Electrical System 1 5.6%

Median failure at 23,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 5.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 67,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 5.6%

Median failure at 23,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 11.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 7 41.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 29.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 17.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 2011 peak 2 Oct 2021

NHTSA investigations into the 2007 BMW R 1200 GS

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA13006 Opened 12 Jul 2013 Closed 31 Jan 2014 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the s...

PE12036 Opened 16 Nov 2012 Closed 22 Jul 2013 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Fuel Leak - Motorcycle

Owners of model year (MY) 2005-2008 R-Series motorcycles report substantial, high pressure fuel loss occurring when the fuel pump is energized.Many times they first become aware of the problem when fuel soaks their pant legs or is puddled under their parked motorcycle.The Office of Defects investigation (ODI) has obtained an owner video illustrating the issue.This video, and other material, may be found in the public file at www.SaferCar.gov. ODI has learned that the subject fuel leak is due to cracks in the fuel outlet quick connector located on the in-tank fuel pump housing.While some owners...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 67,000 miles Everett, WA Crash 2 injured

POWER TRAIN

DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE WHICH TOOK OUT THE SWING ARM WHILE DOING SPEED OF 35-45 MPH ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD. IF ON HIGHWAY OR INCREASES SPEED, INCIDENT MAY CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE

NHTSA complaint #11363262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Everett, WA Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE WHICH TOOK OUT THE SWING ARM WHILE DOING SPEED OF 35-45 MPH ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD. IF ON HIGHWAY OR INCREASES SPEED, INCIDENT MAY CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE

NHTSA complaint #11363262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Apple Valley, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW GSR1200 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT OPENED THE RESERVOIR FOR THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND FOUND THAT THE RUBBER WAS SEVERELY WORN. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY. THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES. THE CONTACT LATER DISCONNECTED THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE THAT THE CONTACT HAD ENCOUNTERED AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA complaint #10453832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles KEY West, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE RIDING DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS MY FRONT BRAKES ENGAGE AND LOCK UP THE FRONT TIRE, STOPPING THE MOTORCYCLE IN PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE MAKING A TURN I DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE, LEFT THE TIRE LOCKED UP, UNABLE TO MOVE THE MOTORCYCLE IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10450888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Pooler, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When starting the bike, suddenly fuel started dripping down onto the front wheel and onto the exhaust. I noticed the fuel on the suction side (right side) of the gas tank pooling up and spraying out. Upon disassembly, the male 90 degree fuel quick disconnect (replacement part number BMW 13537674765) came apart when trying to release the hose from the female coupling. Replacing the connector and the clamp resolved the issue and fuel is no longer leaking. The last time this area was serviced was in 2014 when one of the other fuel tank recalls was completed and a reinforcement ring was installed on the flange at this location to prevent the flange itself from cracking, but in this instance it was the fitting itself. Called BMW motorcycles or Jacksonville (Florida ) and they indicated there is no warranty / recall/ service bulletin for this repair and I was able to purchase the part and perform the replacement.

NHTSA complaint #11436242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Everett, WA Crash 2 injured

POWER TRAIN

DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE WHICH TOOK OUT THE SWING ARM WHILE DOING SPEED OF 35-45 MPH ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD. IF ON HIGHWAY OR INCREASES SPEED, INCIDENT MAY CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE

NHTSA complaint #11363262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Everett, WA Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE WHICH TOOK OUT THE SWING ARM WHILE DOING SPEED OF 35-45 MPH ON BACK COUNTRY ROAD. IF ON HIGHWAY OR INCREASES SPEED, INCIDENT MAY CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE

NHTSA complaint #11363262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Farmington, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL PUMP ON THE MOTORCYCLE IS LEAKING AND SPRAYING GAS ALL OVER ME WHEN I DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11361069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Buckeye, AZ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER STARTING THE BIKE AND ALLOWING IT TO WARM UP, I NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE FORMING UNDER THE FRONT OF THE BIKE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECT TO THE FUEL PUMP HAD SPLIT AND SPRAYING FUEL WHEN UNDER PRESSURE. THIS WAS DRIPPING DOWN ONTO THE HOT HEADER.

NHTSA complaint #11309054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Homer, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DO NUMBENOT R, INCLUDE VEHICLE ANY IDENTIFICATION PERSONAL NUMBER INFORMATION (VIN), ETC ... ). L SECURITY/DRIVER LICENSE THE RECALL FUEL FOR THIS PUMP ISSUE, RUPTURED BUT AND BMW BEGAN FEELS THAT SHOOTING IF THEY GASOLINE REPLACED ALL THE OVER FLANGE, MY LEG THERE AS I IS WAS NO NEED RIDING TO HOME. REPLACE THE APPARENTLY PUMP THERE AND IS THEY AN HAVE EXISTING HOME. SATISFIED THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2014 AS RECALL 13V-617. MY LEFT LEG WAS SOAKED IN GASOLINE BY THE TIME I GOT HOME. *BF 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

NHTSA complaint #11266390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Henderson, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW R 1200 GS ADVENTURE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL AND FUEL FUEL LEAKED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10897569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles NEW York, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UPON TRYING TO START MY 2007 R1200GS I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE CLUSTER "EWS". A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REPORTED THAT THE ERROR CODE MEANT "IGNITION KEY ANTENNA ERROR". SOME FORUMS READING REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2007 R1200GS, BUT CAN HAPPEN TO OTHER MODEL YEARS AND OTHER BMW BIKES TOO. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO START THE BIKE. I HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA complaint #10585192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles NEW York, NY

ENGINE

UPON TRYING TO START MY 2007 R1200GS I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE CLUSTER "EWS". A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REPORTED THAT THE ERROR CODE MEANT "IGNITION KEY ANTENNA ERROR". SOME FORUMS READING REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2007 R1200GS, BUT CAN HAPPEN TO OTHER MODEL YEARS AND OTHER BMW BIKES TOO. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO START THE BIKE. I HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA complaint #10585192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,500 miles NEW Braunfels, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER RIDING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT BACK IN MY GARAGE, I COULD SMELL A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. ON DETAILED INSPECTION I FOUND GAS POOLING IN THE "FUEL PUMP FLANGE". THIS PART IS LOCATED ON THE UPPER LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. AFTER CLEANING THE AREA, I COULD SEE DISTINCT CRACKS ALL AROUND THE FUEL LINE INLET AND GAS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY SEEP OUT OF THE CRACKS WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #10542601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,000 miles Corona, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW R 1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000. UPDATED 10/29/13*LJ THE FLANG AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP OUTPUT AND THE FUEL LINE, HAD A SPLIT, THUS ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK AND RUN DOWN THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE THE EXHAUST HEADER. UPDATED 10/29/13

NHTSA complaint #10536530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Silver Spring, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

DURING ROUTINE SERVICE, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE HAD DEVELOPED STRESS FRACTURES IN 3 OF 5 BRAKE ROTOR MOUNTING POINTS. INTERNET INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR R1200 SERIES BMW MOTORCYCLES. THE REPLACEMENT OEM PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED MULTIPLE TIMES IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO PREVENT RECURRENCE. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS PART HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY OWNERS, LEADING TO VEHICLE DAMAGE AND RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE WHEEL MOUNTS HAVE EXPERIENCE SIMILAR STRESS CRACKS.

NHTSA complaint #10536113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,000 miles Oceanside, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM RUNNING LIGHTS BURNED OUT EXTREMELY QUICK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROADWAY BECAUSE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BULBS, WHICH THEY RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA complaint #10474476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,800 miles Hudsonville, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE BEGINNING OF AN EXTENDED TRIP. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE MOTORCYCLE OFF, RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE, AND THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CONTINUED. BMW SERVICE SAID THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED, AND AS A RESULT NO ABS BRAKES WERE AVAILABLE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. BMW CHARGED $1000 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR, AND HAS ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT, REFUSED TO PARTIALLY REIMBURSE FOR THIS PART OR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MAY HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10467998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,202 miles Akron, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL MODULE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT FAILED AGAIN, LEAVING ME STRANDED AGAIN, ON JUNE 7, 2011. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS 'RARE'. SEEMS LIKE AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO ME.

NHTSA complaint #10454396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,000 miles Apple Valley, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW GSR1200 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT OPENED THE RESERVOIR FOR THE BRAKE CHAMBER AND FOUND THAT THE RUBBER WAS SEVERELY WORN. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED TEMPORARILY. THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED OVER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEES. THE CONTACT LATER DISCONNECTED THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TYPE OF FAILURE THAT THE CONTACT HAD ENCOUNTERED AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA complaint #10453832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles KEY West, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE RIDING DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS MY FRONT BRAKES ENGAGE AND LOCK UP THE FRONT TIRE, STOPPING THE MOTORCYCLE IN PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE MAKING A TURN I DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE, LEFT THE TIRE LOCKED UP, UNABLE TO MOVE THE MOTORCYCLE IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10450888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,944 miles Palm Desert, CA

AIR BAGS

CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC TOP FLANGE OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY RESULTED IS A SPRAY OF FUEL WHEN SYSTEM UNDER OPERATING PRESSURE (IE. ENGINE RUNNING). THIS 4 YEAR OLD MOTORCYCLE IS CURRENTLY NOT TO SAFE TO OPERATE AND IS OUT OF COMMISSION UNTIL TRAILERED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THE FUEL SPRAY SOURCE APPEARS AROUND THE FEMALE THREADED 'HUB' OF THE FLANGE THAT ACCEPTS THE MALE THREADED 'QUICK DISCONNECT' OF THE FUEL LINE. THE FAILURE (OR CRACKING) APPEARS TO BE SPONTANEOUS, AS NO PRIOR EVIDENCE (GASOLINE ODOR) WAS NOTICED. THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED REGULARLY, AND IS GARAGED AT ALL TIMES (DESERT S.W.). THE BIKE IS PAMPERED AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED. I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW A RELATIVELY LOW TIME, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT HAS FAILED. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT FOR BMW MOTORCYCLES.

NHTSA complaint #10420291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.