Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2009 BMW R1200 GS with NHTSA between 2012 and 2019.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 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 — 44
Against the median year of the BMW R1200 GS. 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 — 100
91% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
522.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1150.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
627.3%
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.
Feb 2012peak 6Feb 2019
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 10,700 milesMelissa, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY MOTORCYCLE WHEN I NOTICED A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE FITTING WHERE THE FUEL LINE GOES INTO THE FUEL PUMP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GAS TANK. THIS CAUSED GAS TO DRIP DIRECTLY ONTO THE LEFT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IN THE PAST I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC QUICK RELEASE FUEL LINE CRACKING WHERE IT SCREWED INTO THE FUEL PUMP (SAME LOCATION) AND DRIPPING GAS DIRECTLY ONTO THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN RIDING IT. I REPLACED THE PLASTIC QUICK RELEASE FUEL FITTING WITH A METAL ONE FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. CHECKING WITH OTHERS ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE KNOWN, COMMON PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #11173602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,500 milesExeter, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MULTIPLE FUEL STRP FAILURES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF FUEL RELATED WARNINGS.
NHTSA complaint #11114771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesMustang, OK
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE CONNECTION IS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. THERE ARE MULTIPLE PICTURES VIDEOS AND THREADS REGARDING RECALLS FOR THE EXACT SAME FUEL LEAK THAT I AM EXPERIENCING ON THE INTERNET. HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA THEY TELL ME THAT MY MOTORCYCLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CLEARLY THIS TYPE OF FUEL LEAK REPRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD AND DIRECT LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN MY PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE BE EXCLUDED FROM THIS WELL PUBLICIZED BMW RECALL SITUATION ?? FORTUNATELY I DISCOVERED THE FUEL LEAK IN MY GARAGE AND NOT WHILE GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE
NHTSA complaint #11083669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,650 milesVacaville, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS ACCELERATING ON THE ON-RAMP TO MERGE IN TO THE SLOW LANE WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE 80 NORTH BOUND HEADING HOME. I HAD JUST SHIFTED THE MOTORCYCLE IN TO 3RD GEAR WHEN IT LOST ALL POWER AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THE NEXT EXIT WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO REACH SAFELY AND MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO COAST INTO THE SIDE EMERGENCY LANE. AS I WAS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE A SMALL PLASTIC PULLEY FORM THE LEFT SIDE THROTTLE-BODY FELL TO THE GROUND. I'M CURRENTLY CONTACTING BMW MOTORCYCLES AS THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT PUT ME IN HARMS WAY. THIS PLASTIC PIECE IS UNDER CONSTANT TENSION AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN MAKE OF PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #11003565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,700 milesPetoskey, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILURE TWICE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE LEVEL OF FUEL IN TAKE WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPED. INCREASED RISK OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10865667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesMills, WY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE FUEL GAGE HAS FAILED. TWICE IT SHOWED FUEL WHILE RUNNING EMPTY, ONCE IN TRAFFIC. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS THE FUEL SCREEN HAS GONE BLANK. THREE TIMES THEY HAVE REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THEY RECALLED THERE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10608789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,520 milesMapleton, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY FAILED AND GAVE INACCURATE READING. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL GAUGE REPLACED 4 TIMES, MOST RECENTLY LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO, ALWAYS BY A BMW DEALER. THAT MOST RECENT GAUGE, INSTALLED 6/7/2014 BY THE DEALER, FAILED COMPLETELY, WITHOUT WARNING, ON 7/3/14 AFTER LESS THAN 250 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE CAN LEAD TO SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER, IF THE GAUGE INDICATES FUEL REMAINING, WHILE IN FACT THE TANK IS EMPTY. I AM ASTONISHED THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT ORDERED BMW TO FIND A RELIABLE FIX THIS. ANECDOTAL INDICATIONS ARE THOUSANDS OF GAUGES HAVE FAILED, OVER APPROXIMATELY A FIVE MODEL YEAR PERIOD THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN WAS USED.
NHTSA complaint #10608335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,182 milesHaines City, FL
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR FINAL DRIVE BEARING BECAME SEPARATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE WITH THE FRONT BRAKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE REAR FINAL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,182. UPDATED 01/07/014*LJ UPDATED 1/17/2014
NHTSA complaint #10550394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,434 milesCenterburg, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TRAVELING APPROX 60 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR IN MIDDLE LANE OF THREE LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED TWO BARS AND DISPLAY INDICATED APPROX 60 MILES OF RANGE LEFT. ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO RIGHT SHOULDER WHEN ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WAS ABLE TO PUSH APPROX 1/4 MILE TO EXIT RAMP AND THEN TO FUEL STATION. FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. FUEL GAUGE NEVER SHOWED EMPTY NOR DID LOW FUEL LIGHT COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10550300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesDesert Hills, AZ
POWER TRAIN
30,000 MILES, ONE WEEK AFTER DEALERSHIP COMPLETED THE REQUIRED 30K SERVICE, DRIVING 35-40 MPH ON ASPHALT ROAD, FELT EXTREME WOBBLE ON BACK WHEEL, BLACK OIL ALL OVER BACK RIM AND WHEEL. DEALERSHIP REPORTS THE COMPLETE FINAL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED AT A COST OF $2500.00 TO ME AS IT JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR ISSUE, ESA ALSO WENT OUT AT 9000K. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT INJURED DUE TO THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10537358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,240 milesLafayette, CO
POWER TRAIN
REFER TO ODI NO. 10439549/CAMPAIGN DP12001. DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND MOTORCYCLE REAR TIRE BEGAN TO DRIFT UNEXPECTEDLY AND MOVE SIDEWAYS. PULLED OVER EXIT AND FOUND FINAL DRIVE (DIFFERENTIAL), BRAKE AND REAR TIRE COVERED IN OIL. DISASSEMBLY REVEALED FAILED BALL BEARING (CAGE HAD DISINTEGRATED) IN FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PER MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10535362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,329 milesHiram, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BIKE FUEL METER DOES NOT FUNCTION. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 8/12/11 AND 8/10/13. FUEL METER RELIES ON SENSOR STRIP INSIDE FUEL TANK. SENSOR STRIP FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF FAILURE CAUSES BIKE TO UNKNOWINGLY AND SUDDENLY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHILE MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #10534664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,329 milesHiram, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BIKE FUEL METER DOES NOT FUNCTION. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY 8/12/11 AND 8/10/13. FUEL METER RELIES ON SENSOR STRIP INSIDE FUEL TANK. SENSOR STRIP FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF FAILURE CAUSES BIKE TO UNKNOWINGLY AND SUDDENLY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHILE MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #10534664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,800 milesOlathe, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. PRIOR TO THE OUTRIGHT FAILURE, THE GAUGE HAD OCCASIONALLY SHOWN A FALSE VALUE, SHOWING TOO MUCH FUEL FOR THE MILES COVERED, AND THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD DROP TO THE CORRECT VALUE, INDICATING ALMOST ZERO FUEL LEFT. THE GAUGE NOW SHOWS NO FUEL LEVEL AT ALL CONSTANTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEARLY $20K MOTORCYCLE, YOU EXPECT SIMPLE THINGS LIKE A FUEL GAUGE SENSOR TO WORK RELIABLY. BMW HAS FAILED TREMENDOUSLY IN THIS RESPECT.
NHTSA complaint #10533695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,800 milesOlathe, KS
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY. PRIOR TO THE OUTRIGHT FAILURE, THE GAUGE HAD OCCASIONALLY SHOWN A FALSE VALUE, SHOWING TOO MUCH FUEL FOR THE MILES COVERED, AND THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD DROP TO THE CORRECT VALUE, INDICATING ALMOST ZERO FUEL LEFT. THE GAUGE NOW SHOWS NO FUEL LEVEL AT ALL CONSTANTLY. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEARLY $20K MOTORCYCLE, YOU EXPECT SIMPLE THINGS LIKE A FUEL GAUGE SENSOR TO WORK RELIABLY. BMW HAS FAILED TREMENDOUSLY IN THIS RESPECT.
NHTSA complaint #10533695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,200 milesFort Collins, CO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IT SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP I OBSERVED FUEL STEADILY LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP, DOWN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST. I HAD TO LEAN THE BIKE AGAINST A FENCE POST IN ORDER TO GET FUEL TO FLOW AWAY FROM HOT EXHAUST AND PREVENT FIRE. UPON LATER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM MULTIPLE SMALL CRACKS IN A FLANGE LOCATED AT THE TOP TO THE FUEL PUMP AND WHERE THE FUEL LINE IS ATTACHED. THE PLASTIC FLANGE APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED LEADING TO THE LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10508150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesBend, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE FREQUENTLY INDICATES PLENTY OF FUEL IN TANK WHEN TANK RUNS EMPTY. GAUGE WILL ALSO OCCASIONALLY SHOW EMPTY WHEN SEVERAL GALLONS OF FUEL IN TANKS. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
NHTSA complaint #10504958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesBend, OR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE FREQUENTLY INDICATES PLENTY OF FUEL IN TANK WHEN TANK RUNS EMPTY. GAUGE WILL ALSO OCCASIONALLY SHOW EMPTY WHEN SEVERAL GALLONS OF FUEL IN TANKS. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
NHTSA complaint #10504958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,519 milesVienna, IL
POWER TRAIN
RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP WHEN I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS FINAL DRIVE CROWN BEARING FAILURE(ESSENTIALLY REAR WHEEL BEARING).
NHTSA complaint #10493510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,519 milesVienna, IL
WHEELS
RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP WHEN I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS FINAL DRIVE CROWN BEARING FAILURE(ESSENTIALLY REAR WHEEL BEARING).
NHTSA complaint #10493510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,404 milesTHE Woodlands, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BMW MOTORCYCLES FUEL GAUGE WITH "ELECTRONIC FUEL STRIP" FAIL RESULTING IN SAME CONDITION AS THEIR CAR RECALL SHOWN BELOW! DANGEROUS CONDITION RESULTS. (POST 2010 MODELS CHANGED TO FLOAT TYPE SYSTEM). SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 5-SERIES AND 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12 THROUGH JULY 1, 2010. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WITHIN THE FUEL TANK CAN BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE TANK. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD DISPLAY A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. AS A RESULT, IF THE TANK BECAME EMPTY, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10461180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesUrbana, IL
POWER TRAIN
AT THE INDICATED TIME, I NOTICED ROUGHNESS WHILE DRIVING. I STOPPED, EXAMINED THE DRIVETRAIN, AND FOUND ROUGHNESS WHEN TURNING THE REAR WHEEL BY HAND. I DRAINED THE DRIVETRAIN OIL AND FOUND METALLIC PARTICLES THE TEXTURE OF COARSE SAND ADHERING TO THE MAGNETIC DRAIN PLUG. THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER EXAMINED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT A BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE HAD FAILED. BMW REPLACED THE BEARING AT NO COST UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001.
NHTSA complaint #10446587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.