Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2009 BMW R1200 RT with NHTSA between 2012 and 2019.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 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 — 28
Against the median year of the BMW R1200 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 — 100
71% 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 2009 BMW R1200 RT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
857.1%
Median failure at 28,132 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
428.6%
Median failure at 27,572 miles
Wheels
17.1%
Median failure at 60,000 miles
Electrical System
17.1%
Median failure at 8,700 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
214.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
321.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
535.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
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 2Jan 2019
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 2 milesAtlanta, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER ENTERING THE INTERSTATE FUEL BEGAN SPEWING FROM THE UPPER LEFT FAIRING AREA. I PULLED OFF AND SHUT IT DOWN. I COULDN'T TELL WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM. IT DIDN'T APPEAR ANY LONGER SO I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME, ABOUT 2 MILES. UPON ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AGAIN FUEL SPEWED OUT WITH SUCH FORCE IT COVERED MY ENTIRE LEFT SIDE AND LEG. I PULLED OFF ASAP. A MOTORIST SAW ME AND STOPPED TO HELP. HE WAS AFRAID OF A FIRE, AS I WAS, AND PULLED OUT AN EXTINGUISHER. FUEL WAS EVERYWHERE. HE HELPED ME TOW IT HOME.
NHTSA complaint #11172736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,564 milesHewitt, TX
POWER TRAIN
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (FINAL DRIVE). THE DRIVE BEGAN MAKING GRINDING AND SQUEALING NOISES. I THEN FELT THE REAR WHEEL LOOSING TRACTION. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY. I NOTICED AT THAT TIME A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY REAR BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. UPON EXAMINING THE DRIVE AREA THERE WAS GEAR OIL ALL OVER THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER, DISC AND REAR WHEEL, INCLUDING THE TIRE. THE FINAL DRIVE WAS SERVICED APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, IT HAD BEEN FILLED WITH THE CORRECT VISCOSITY OIL AT THE RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF 180CC. AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO METALLIC SHAVING OF ANY KIND VISIBLE IN THE OIL THAT WAS DRAINED FROM THE DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TEXAS STATE HIGHWAY 6 IN A RURAL AREA.
NHTSA complaint #11092807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesLebanon, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2014 RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE WAS ISSUED AND IT WAS COMPLETED AT A BMW DEALER IN JUNE OF 2014. NOW MAY 6, 2018 THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE HAS FAILED SPRAYING FUEL OVER THE ENGINE. I CONTACTED THE BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO THE PART BEING OVER 2 YEARS OLD AND THEY NO LONGER RESPONSABLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE 2014 RECALL AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11092504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,500 milesBothell, WA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HAS 52500 MILES. AFTER FUELING THE MOTORCYCLE I ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE TRIP ODOMETER IN THE NORMAL WAY BY TURNING THE THROTTLE TO MAXIMUM WHILE HOLDING THE BC BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. BIKE WAS ON, ENGINE NOT RUNNING. THE PLASTIC PULLEYS ON BOTH THROTTLE BODIES SNAPPED SUDDENLY, LEAVING THE THROTTLE BODY SET TO FULL THROTTLE. I VERIFIED THIS BY STARTING THE BIKE. IF THIS PULLEY FAILURE HAD HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE THROTTLE BODY PULLEYS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE NOR ARE THE THROTTLE BODIES SERVICEABLE. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE PLASTIC PULLEY DETERIORATES DUE TO HEAT AND LOSES STRENGTH. I REGARD THIS AS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND SAFETY HAZARD. THE PART SHOULD BE METAL AS ON PREVIOUS MODELS. MY R1100RT HAS 150,000 MILES AND NO ISSUES WITH THE TB PULLEYS. I WOULD URGE THAT BMW BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE 2005-2009 MODELS WITH THESE PLASTIC PULLEYS AND REPLACE WITH METAL ONES OR THAT THEY WARRANTY THE REPAIR WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #11023849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,400 milesSAN Marcos, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
RE: VIN [XXX] DEAR BMW MOTORCYCLES OF AMERICA I DEVELOPED A SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK TODAY FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FAIRING/ TANK OF MY R1200RT. THE FUEL ONLY LEAKED WHEN THE KEY WAS ON, OR THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, INDICATING THE FUEL WAS COMING FROM THE PRESSURIZED SIDE OF THE FUEL CIRCUIT, FROM LIKELY THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. THERE IS EVIDENCE IN FORUMS AND THE RESPONSES FROM OWNERS TO DEALERS THAT THIS FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACKING IS A COMMON ISSUE, AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED (13V617000) FOR REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS BIKE AND I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND WHEN I TRY TO ENTER MY VIN WITH THE BMWUSA.COM SITE AS WELL AS WITH NHTSA.GOV (SAFERCAR.GOV), I CANNOT MAKE PROGRESS BECAUSE I AM TOLD MY VIN IS INVALID. THIS IS NOT SO, AS I HAVE HAD OTHER WARRANTY WORK NOTIFIED AND COMPLETED VIA THIS VIN. (REPEATED FUEL STRIP SENSOR FAILURE, AND THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE CRACK RECALL). PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS FUEL LEAK RECALL ISSUE AND HELP ARRANGE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A FAILURE OF A PART THAT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK FOR FIRE. SINCERELY, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11005469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,843 milesFountain Hills, AZ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED TO IDLE AND I LOST ALL POWER AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ENGINE SPEED. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW AS THE BIKE WOULD ONLY IDLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AFTER I GOT THE BIKE HOME, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC PULLEYS ON THE THROTTLE BODIES HAD SHEARED OFF. THIS REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODIES. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THE PULLEYS ARE PLASTIC. PREVIOUS MODELS WERE METAL AND MOST CARS/BIKES USE METAL, WHICH WOULD BE MORE RESISTANT TO FAILURE. TO QUOTE ANOTHER COMPLAINT: "IF OR WHEN THE PLASTIC FAILS, THERE IS NO THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE GOES TO IDLE, THUS CREATING AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE THE RIDER COULD BE FORTHRIGHTLY IN HARM'S WAY AND ENDANGERED. THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT RECALL ISSUE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PLASTIC PART WITH A SOLID CABLE PULLEY WHICH WILL NOT BREAK. PREVIOUS MODELS USED METAL CABLE PULLEYS WHICH DID NOT FAIL." THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGER. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN ACCELERATING BEHIND ME, I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. BMWS INTRANSIGENCE IS MIND BOGGLING.
NHTSA complaint #10671553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesColbert, GA
POWER TRAIN
THE BMW MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING RIDDEN AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS WHEN IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP A VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED AND THE FIRST AVAILABLE EXIT WAS TAKEN. BY THIS TIME THE REAR WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO LOCK UP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STOPPED AT THE FIRST SAFE PARKING AND A WRECKER WAS DISPATCHED. THE REPAIR FACILITY INFORMED ME THAT THE DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT HAD FAILED AND WAS BEATING AGAINST THE SWING ARM WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL FAILURE. THE DRIVESHAFT IS NOT A TEARDOWN AND INSPECT ITEM AND THEREFORE LEAVES THE RIDER WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10641062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesColbert, GA
WHEELS
THE BMW MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING RIDDEN AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS WHEN IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP A VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED AND THE FIRST AVAILABLE EXIT WAS TAKEN. BY THIS TIME THE REAR WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO LOCK UP. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STOPPED AT THE FIRST SAFE PARKING AND A WRECKER WAS DISPATCHED. THE REPAIR FACILITY INFORMED ME THAT THE DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT HAD FAILED AND WAS BEATING AGAINST THE SWING ARM WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL FAILURE. THE DRIVESHAFT IS NOT A TEARDOWN AND INSPECT ITEM AND THEREFORE LEAVES THE RIDER WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10641062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,580 milesGroveport, OH
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R1200 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GREASE COVERING THE BRAKES AND REAR WHEEL. THE GREASE CAME FROM A BROKEN REAR DIFFERENTIAL/FINAL DRIVE. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE RIGHT ANGLE GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,580.
NHTSA complaint #10525757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,200 milesRochester, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MOTORCYCLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO FUEL SENSOR FAILURE. BOTH ANALOG AND DIGITAL GAUGES SHOWED 40+ MILES REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANK. VEHICLE WAS IN FAST LANE OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND MY EMERGENCY STOP REQUIRED STATE PATROL ASSISTANCE DO TO THE LOCATION OF THE STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10514560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,422 milesSpringfield, MO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP, WHERE THE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT IS THREADED INTO THE HOUSING, MULTIPLE CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING.
NHTSA complaint #10492199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,013 milesUniversal City, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAS FAILED (TWICE) AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP. THE LATEST FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY EITHER AND WILL EVENTUALLY BE REPLACED AGAIN BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES IN FEB 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10485368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,700 milesRiverside, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE GAS GAUGE SENSOR STRIP STOPS WORKING AND WILL READ THAT YOU HAVE MORE GAS THAN YOU ACTUALLY DO. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE THE RIDER TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND BE STRANDED IN MOVING TRAFFIC. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM BMW MOTORCYCLE OWNERS TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM ANY LONGER! PLEASE MAKE THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF CONTINUING TO PROFIT OFF OF A SAFETY ISSUE. A GOOGLE SEARCH ON "BMW MOTORCYCLE FUEL STRIP" WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE LEVERAGE YOU NEED.
NHTSA complaint #10485221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesRedmond, WA
POWER TRAIN
IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO REPORT THESE TO THE NHTSA, I AM ADDING MY OWN INFORMATION: DURING A TIRE-CHANGE SERVICE, THE DEALER'S MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE BEARING IN THE REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE HAD BECOME "CRUNCHY" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON POINTING OUT THE PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO DETECT THE RESISTANCE IN THE WHEEL MYSELF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BEARING UNDER WARRANTY AND ON COMPARISON WITH A NEW BEARING, THERE WAS DEFINITELY RESISTANCE AND A LACK OF SMOOTH FUNCTION IN THE ORIGINAL BEARING. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PARALEVER FINAL DRIVES HAVE ENCOUNTERED SERIOUS BEARING FAILURE RENDERING THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY UNABLE TO PROCEED NORMALLY, SOMETIMES WITH A MAJOR LEAKAGE OF THE FINAL DRIVE LUBRICANT. I BELIEVE MINE WAS SIMPLY CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID A MORE DRAMATIC FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10446392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.