Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT with NHTSA between 2011 and 2023.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 7 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 35
Against the median year of the BMW R 1200 RT. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 62
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2005 BMW R 1200 RT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
866.7%
Median failure at 52,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
Median failure at 41,000 miles
Brakes
18.3%
Median failure at 41,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
18.3%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
218.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
545.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
218.2%
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.
Oct 2011peak 2Mar 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT
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.
EA13006Opened 12 Jul 2013Closed 31 Jan 2014FUEL 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...
PE12036Opened 16 Nov 2012Closed 22 Jul 2013FUEL 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...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Warrenville, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2005 BMW r1200rt that I have owned since 2016 with little to no issue. Leak from winter storage in the front left side of the engine. It matches a thread of a cracked fuel pump. With your site they submitted the problem under JBN1-18051. Also under a complaint number 10428629. I wish to know if it is a issue that is a recall or something I can submit for BMW to take care of, or if I will need to get fixed myself. I saw that riding with it can result in fuel landing on the ride during transit making it dangerous to ride.
NHTSA complaint #11513782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesJefferson, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2005 BMW R 1200 RT. The contact stated while starting the motorcycle and it began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle was not drivable. The motorcycle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was repaired. The contact stated that on 7/2021, he noticed fuel leaking from the fuel pump onto the engine. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The motorcycle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
NHTSA complaint #11434688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesNorth Fond DU LAC, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRACKED THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CONNECTIONS TO BOTH THROTTLE BODY THROTTLE CONTROL SHAFTS. IF THIS FAILS, THE THROTTLES RETURN TO IDLE WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL. I NEED TO REPAIR PRIOR TO TRAVEL USE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11413715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesNorth Fond DU LAC, WI
ENGINE
CRACKED THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CONNECTIONS TO BOTH THROTTLE BODY THROTTLE CONTROL SHAFTS. IF THIS FAILS, THE THROTTLES RETURN TO IDLE WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL. I NEED TO REPAIR PRIOR TO TRAVEL USE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11413715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesLexington, KY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MOTORCYCLE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. ALWAYS SHOWING EMPTY. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER AND HAD FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPLACED. MOTORCYCLE FUEL GAUGE NOW SHOWING FULL ALL THE TIME UNTIL ONE RECENT FUEL FILL UP IT WENT BACK TO SHOWING EMPTY. I HAD BEEN USING THE TRIP METER TO JUDGE FUEL LEVEL FILLING THE TANK AT 250 MILES. ON THE DATE OF THIS INCIDENT, IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC, I RAN OUT OF FUEL AT APPROX. 200 MILES. I MANAGED TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING RUN OVER. I HAVE CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM WAS NOT KNOWN ABOUT BUT THAT SHE WOULD TAKE MY COMPLAINT. I HAVE READ MANY, MANY......MANY COMPLAINTS FROM BMW OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT BMW HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS PROBLEM FOR 12 YEARS BUT BMW HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE SENSORS UNTIL THE 12 YEARS PASSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM EVIDENTLY NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY BMW. IN THE LATTER PART OF 2010 THEY WENT BACK TO A FLOAT STYLE SENSOR BUT HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM CREATED BY A POSSIBLE MATERIAL DEFECT AND/OR POOR DESIGN IN THEIR FUEL LEVEL SENSORS INSTALLED IN MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH MIDDLE OF 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10628565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,300 milesDenville, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
REPORT RECEIPT DATE: DEC 12, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE MY COMPLAINT : RECALL LETTER NOT RECEIVED FROM BMW.
NHTSA complaint #10588441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,163 milesPunta Gorda, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LEAK FROM THREADS ON TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10504130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesFerndale, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R 1200 RT. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE FUEL FLANGE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP QUICK DISCONNECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10454834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesNeptune Beach, FL
STRUCTURE
2005 BMW R 1200 RT REAL WHEEL FLANGE CRACKED THIS FLANGE SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DISC AND ALSO THE REAR WHEEL ITSELF COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS FLANGE WOULD RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10446835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesNeptune Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2005 BMW R 1200 RT REAL WHEEL FLANGE CRACKED THIS FLANGE SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DISC AND ALSO THE REAR WHEEL ITSELF COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS FLANGE WOULD RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10446835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesCoarsegold, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACKED IN AT LEAST FOUR PLACES THAT I CAN PHOTOGRAPH. FOR HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN I CANNOT DETERMINE. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT LEAKING FUEL AT THIS TIME SEVERAL RIDERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT FLANGE FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN FUEL FLOWING OUT OF THE CRACK AND ONTO THE MOTORCYCLE AND RIDER. FUEL ON A PERSON, IN THE AIR AND ON THE VEHICLE IS A CHEMICAL HAZARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AT THE VERY LEAST AND FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE INCHES AWAY IS DEADLY. I BELIEVE IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT BY THE MANUFACTURER. 8TT
NHTSA complaint #10444670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,733 milesMesa, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE CRACKS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE CYCLING AND LEAKS, SENDING RAW FUEL DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLES LEFT EXHAUST PIPE AND IGNITION SYSTEM COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLES FAIRING EFFECTIVELY CAPTURES THE FUEL VAPORS CREATING A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR FIRE. IN ADDITION, LEAKING FUEL, STREAMING ALONG THE LEFT FAIRING IS EXHAUSTED ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG, CREATING SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR THE RIDER EVEN AFTER DISMOUNTING THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE THE COMBINATION OF HIGH FUEL PRESSURE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN CREATE SUBSTANTIAL RISK FOR RIDERS OF THE IMPACTED VEHICLES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE, A FEW OF WHICH ARE OUTLINED BELOW: 1. RIDERS BECOME FUEL SOAKED AS FUEL LEAKS DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING AND THEN IS FORCED BY FAIRING AIRFLOW DYNAMICS ON TO THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. 2. FUEL VAPORS, CAPTURED BY THE FAIRING AND HEATED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE BECOME EXTREMELY VOLATILE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. 3. FUEL VAPORS RISING FROM THE FAIRING AND EXITING THE TOP OF THE FAIRING BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FUEL TANK, ARE BLOWN BY AIRFLOW INTO THE RIDERS FACE. THE CARCINOGENIC ASPECTS OF FUEL INHALATION ARE DOCUMENTED. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY SUGGESTS THAT THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE WAS INADEQUATELY DESIGNED FOR THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET PRESSURES. BMW'S CHOICE OF A NON-METALLIC (COMPOSITE) PUMP HOUSING COMBINED WITH A COMPOSITE HIGH-PRESSURE DISCONNECT FITTING WAS UNWISE AND THE FAILURE MECHANISM IS OBVIOUS. HIGH PUMP PRESSURE EXPANDS THE COMPOSITE HIGH-PRESSURE FITTING CAUSING IT TO READILY LOAD THE FUEL PUMP HIGH-PRESSURE QUICK DISCONNECT FLANGE. OVER TIME, PRESSURE CYCLING CAUSES THE QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE TO CRACK ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. UPDATED 10/20/11.
NHTSA complaint #10428629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.