Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2011 BMW R 1200 RT with NHTSA between 2020 and 2025.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 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 — 41
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 — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Jun 2020peak 3Aug 2025
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Redding, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This vehicle was subject to a recall under bulletin 16 0114. The issue was a fuel pump which cracked at flanges which leaked fuel onto the hot engine, which could cause safety issues with fire. My vehicle listed above, had the fuel pump replaced with 12,505 miles on it under the recall. The replacement fuel pump, which is apparently no better than the original that was replaced under recall, cracked again leaking fuel onto the hot motorcycle engine. This happened with 20,300 miles on the vehicle, which is less than 8000 miles later. BMW is refusing to replace under the recall or a warranty the fuel pump which means I am stuck with the bill. I believe that BMW should be replacing a defective part with a new design and better part not an old design faulty part. I would encourage you to issue another recall on the vehicles in question under bulletin 160114 in the interest of motorist safety.
NHTSA complaint #11681917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,528 milesPoway, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW R1200 RT Motorcycle. The contact stated that while starting the motorcycle, fuel was spraying from the fuel line. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V471000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 37,528.
NHTSA complaint #11485901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Development of a major fuel leak after starting motorcycle, leak is coming from the high pressure fitting on the fuel pump. Very dangerous as the fuel is dripping on the hot exhaust and pooling on top of the fuel pump. Risk of fire and possibility of fuel getting on pant leg and burning riders leg. I talked to a couple dealers in the Phoenix area and it’s more common than not.
NHTSA complaint #11483260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW R 1200 RT. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V471000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted and informed that the parts were not available. The contact called back the same dealer on two separate occasions and was informed that parts were still unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11430640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesBowling Green, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW R 1200 RT Motorcycle. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from motorcycle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V471000 (Fuel System. Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11428477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Bend, OR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW R 1200 RT. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V471000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11427749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,494 milesSpokane, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE CABLE BELL CRANKS/CAMS CRACK DUE TO POOR QUALITY PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS CAUSES MOTORCYCLE TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AS THE HAND THROTTLE NO LONGER WORKS AND ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE RPM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC, TURNING THRU TRAFFIC, OR TRAVELING ON A HIGH SPEED ROADWAY WITH NO AREA TO PULL OFF. THESE CRACKS, (AND IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS), WERE DISCOVERED BY SERVICE PERSONNEL DURING SERVICE WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11408223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,494 milesSpokane, WA
ENGINE
THROTTLE CABLE BELL CRANKS/CAMS CRACK DUE TO POOR QUALITY PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS CAUSES MOTORCYCLE TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AS THE HAND THROTTLE NO LONGER WORKS AND ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE RPM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC, TURNING THRU TRAFFIC, OR TRAVELING ON A HIGH SPEED ROADWAY WITH NO AREA TO PULL OFF. THESE CRACKS, (AND IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS), WERE DISCOVERED BY SERVICE PERSONNEL DURING SERVICE WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11408223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,494 milesSpokane, WA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THROTTLE CABLE BELL CRANKS/CAMS CRACK DUE TO POOR QUALITY PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS CAUSES MOTORCYCLE TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AS THE HAND THROTTLE NO LONGER WORKS AND ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE RPM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC, TURNING THRU TRAFFIC, OR TRAVELING ON A HIGH SPEED ROADWAY WITH NO AREA TO PULL OFF. THESE CRACKS, (AND IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS), WERE DISCOVERED BY SERVICE PERSONNEL DURING SERVICE WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11408223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TENGO PROBLEMAS CON EL FUEL PUMP LIQUEA MUCHO Y TAMBIEN CON EL ENCENDIDO LOS CALIPERS SE ATORAN
NHTSA complaint #11355042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
SUSPENSION
TENGO PROBLEMAS CON EL FUEL PUMP LIQUEA MUCHO Y TAMBIEN CON EL ENCENDIDO LOS CALIPERS SE ATORAN
NHTSA complaint #11355042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TENGO PROBLEMAS CON EL FUEL PUMP LIQUEA MUCHO Y TAMBIEN CON EL ENCENDIDO LOS CALIPERS SE ATORAN
NHTSA complaint #11355042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,500 milesBurr Ridge, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SPONTANEOUS DEVELOPMENT OF A COPIOUS FUEL LEAK AFTER STARTING BIKE, SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND TO BE ORIGINATING FROM FUEL PUMP AROUND HIGH PRESSURE FITTING. VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO, AS FUEL DRIPS CLOSE TO HOT ENGINE. I ASKED AROUND AND APPARENTLY IS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE. HARD TO BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11329259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,957 milesDuluth, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP LEAKS AT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE. THIS FUEL LEAKS OVER EXHAUST PIPE AND IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11328609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.