Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2011 BMW R1200 RT with NHTSA between 2011 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 — 26
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
91% 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 2011 BMW R1200 RT
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
646.2%
Median failure at 24,284 miles
Electrical System
215.4%
Median failure at 5,540 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.7%
Median failure at 44,600 miles
Lights
17.7%
Median failure at 2,080 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
17.7%
Median failure at 2,080 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Median failure at 10,201 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
Median failure at 9,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
545.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
327.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
327.3%
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.
Nov 2011peak 3Jul 2019
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Santa Clara, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GASOLINE LEAK FROM FUEL PUMP FLANGE. NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE AFTER A RIDE LAST WEEK. DURING THE RIDE , THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. BMW ARE YOU LISTENING ? THE PUDDLE WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE WHEN RIDING ( RIGHT SIDE IF YOU ARE FACING THE BIKE) THIS WAS FIXED DURING A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2014 BUT ITS BACK AGAIN. THIS INDICATES A SUBSTANDARD USED DURING RECALL FIX. ITS BMW'S RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THIS ADDRESSED AND FIXED ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #11234146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clara, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FLANGE CRACKED, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BIKE AND ONTO HOT COMPONENTS WHILE RIDING. THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A BMW RECALL - BUT APPARENTLY THE "INSPECT AND REINFORCE" SOLUTION ISN'T REALLY ADEQUATE LONG-TERM. THIS PUMP HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REINFORCED - AND THE FLANGE STILL CRACKED AND CAUSED A DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY INJURY OR WORSE. ATTACHED PICTURE. TOP SHOWS BEFORE IGNITION IS SWITCHED ON. BOTTOM IS AFTER IGNITION IS ON.
NHTSA complaint #11234286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,750 milesHelena, AL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY 2011 BMW R1200RT HAD A RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED IN 2015 TO ADDRESS A FUEL LEAK ISSUE AT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY BUT DID A REPAIR WHICH INVOLVED INSTALLATION OF A REINFORCEMENT RING ON THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE WHICH WAS CRACKING AND LEAKING FUEL UNDER PRESSURE. IN MARCH OF 2019 THE AREA THAT WAS REPAIRED ON THE FUEL PUMP DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK UNDER PRESSURE AND LEAK DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. MY LEFT BOOT AND LEFT LOWER PANT LEG GOT WET WITH GASOLINE. BMW SHOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM PROPERLY WITH A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RIG IT UP IN 2015. THEY HELD OFF FOR YEARS EVEN ISSUING THE RECALL UNTIL FORCED BY GOVERNMENT TO DO IT. THEY SHOW A BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THEIR CUSTOMER'S SAFETY BY NOT FULLY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. NOW BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAYS THE RECALL REPAIR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART AT A COST OF OVER 500 DOLLARS. THIS IMPROVED PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED DURING THE RECALL REPAIR INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BAND-AID THE PROBLEM. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SANCTION BMW FOR NOT PERFORMING THE RECALL PROPERLY. CUSTOMERS THAT HAD TO GO BACK LATER AND REPAIR THEIR MOTORCYCLES FOR THIS FUEL LEAK ISSUE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #11205457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,400 milesHouston, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE GAS BEGINS TO LEAK OUT OF TANK ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. LEAK WILL CONTINUE UNTIL VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF
NHTSA complaint #11185809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,588 milesParagould, AR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON AUGUST 23, 2017, I STARTED MY MOTORCYCLE AND LEFT MY HOME FOR A RIDE. A SHORT TIME INTO THE RIDE I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. I FOUND A PLACE TO PULL OVER TO CHECK OUT THE ISSUE. WHEN I STOPPED I SAW GASOLINE FLOWING DOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE ONTO THE GROUND, JUST PAST THE EXHAUST PIPE AND ONTO MY LEFT RIDING BOOT. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED HOME SLOWLY TO CHECK OUT THE LEAK. WHEN I REMOVED THE UPPER LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE, I SAW GASOLINE PUDDLING AROUND THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. A METAL RING HAD BEEN INSTALLED OVER THE PLASTIC QUICK CONNECTOR ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP ON A PREVIOUS TRIP TO MY SERVICING DEALER ON JANUARY 24, 2015. AT THAT TIME NO LEAK HAD BEEN DETECTED. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AND SAW RAW GASOLINE STREAMING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP ONTO MY MOTORCYCLE AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE BIKES FOR SEVERAL YEARS ACCORDING TO MY GOOGLE SEARCHES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THE BMW CORP. SHOULD REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AT THEIR EXPENSE DUE TO THE HISTORY OF DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS IN THE PAST AND NOW MINE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT THIS ISSUE OCCURRED AT A LOW SPEED AND CLOSE TO MY HOME.
NHTSA complaint #11020121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,600 milesHOT Springs, AR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT THE BIKE NEW. A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP WAS COMPLIED WITH. TWO YEARS LATER THE FUEL PUMP STARTED SQUIRTING FUEL FROM THE INNER RADIUS AREA OF THE METAL CRIMP RING (WHICH IS THE RECALL FIX)STARTED LEAKING FUEL WAS FLOWING DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT CYLINDER BASE. ONLY LEAKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING
NHTSA complaint #11013071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,818 milesLOS Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FLANGE CRACKED, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BIKE AND ONTO HOT COMPONENTS WHILE RIDING. THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A BMW RECALL - BUT APPARENTLY THE "INSPECT AND REINFORCE" SOLUTION ISN'T REALLY ADEQUATE LONG-TERM. THIS PUMP HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND REINFORCED - AND THE FLANGE STILL CRACKED AND CAUSED A DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY INJURY OR WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #11006651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesLong Beach, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE COMBINATION ENGINE RUN / START SWITCH DOES NO ENGAGE IN THE RUN POSITION DURING HOT DAYS, THUS NOT ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO START. AFTER COOLING THE SWITCH DOWN WITH AN INSTANT COOLING COMPOUND (IN THIS CASE SUPERFREEZE 2000 FROM LEONARD INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY) THE SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE, BUT THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN. THE DANGER IS THAT IF IT DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL CUT-OFF WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO RESTART IT.
NHTSA complaint #10715513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesLong Beach, NY
ENGINE
THE COMBINATION ENGINE RUN / START SWITCH DOES NO ENGAGE IN THE RUN POSITION DURING HOT DAYS, THUS NOT ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO START. AFTER COOLING THE SWITCH DOWN WITH AN INSTANT COOLING COMPOUND (IN THIS CASE SUPERFREEZE 2000 FROM LEONARD INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY) THE SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE, BUT THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN. THE DANGER IS THAT IF IT DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL CUT-OFF WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO RESTART IT.
NHTSA complaint #10715513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,201 milesAlexandria, VA
POWER TRAIN
SYMPTOM. REAR OF MOTORCYCLE WEAVES WHEN RIDING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND IN TURNS. REAR WHEEL HAD APPROXIMATELY 3MM PLAY WHEN HOLDING WHEEL AT 12 AND 6 O'CLOCK AND TWISTING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE. ANALYSIS. BRAKE CARRIER ON FINAL DRIVE HAS LATERAL PLAY. REMOVED BRAKE CARRIER, SLID OFF FINAL DRIVE BY HAND. FINAL DRIVE NEEDS REPLACED. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI 10439549 AND BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP 12001. BMW PARALEVER. RESOLUTION. DEALER REPLACED FINAL DRIVE BMW PART NUMBER 33117726895, SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL 75 W90, AND ROTOR BOLTS BMW PART NUMBER 33177709205.
NHTSA complaint #10522464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,080 milesChattanooga, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH CONTROLS THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ITEMS. THE FOUR FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED FAILURE OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TWICE, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TWICE, THE HORN ONCE, AND CRUISE CONTROL ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #10435099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,080 milesChattanooga, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH CONTROLS THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ITEMS. THE FOUR FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED FAILURE OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TWICE, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TWICE, THE HORN ONCE, AND CRUISE CONTROL ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #10435099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,080 milesChattanooga, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH CONTROLS THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ITEMS. THE FOUR FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED FAILURE OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TWICE, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TWICE, THE HORN ONCE, AND CRUISE CONTROL ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #10435099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.