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FaultScore report

2003 BMW R1200C problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2003 BMW R1200C with NHTSA between 2003 and 2012. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the BMW R1200C All 2003 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

150 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

94%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2003 compares with every other BMW R1200C

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 BMW R1200C

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 4 21.1%

Median failure at 50 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 21.1%

Median failure at 29,500 miles

Wheels 2 10.5%

Median failure at 50 miles

Body & Structure 2 10.5%

Median failure at 55 miles

Steering 2 10.5%

Median failure at 50 miles

Tires 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 5,530 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 5.3%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.3%

Median failure at 20,624 miles

Brakes 1 5.3%

Median failure at 29,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 5.3%

Median failure at 200 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 9 56.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 6.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 12.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 18.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 6.3%

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.

Jul 2003 peak 5 Feb 2012

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 BMW R1200C

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.

PE03054 Opened 1 Dec 2003 Closed 23 Jan 2004 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE

BMW IS CONDUCTING A RECALL (04V-028).AN INFORMATION REQUEST(IR)RESPONSE WAS NOT RECEIVED. UPON BMW'S RECEIPT OF THE IR, AND AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH ODI, BMWDETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING CONTAINED WITHIN THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED.FURTHER, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN ALSO RESULT IN A SMALL FUEL LEAK.DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, ADJUST ALL CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS.ALSO ALL FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS WILL BE INSPECTED.IF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE QUICK-DISCONNECT...

Recalls on the 2003 BMW R1200C

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2004026 2,527 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain motorcycles, the crimp-type hose clamps along the fuel line may not have been installed properly and could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Correction: Dealer will inspect, and if necessary, adjust all crimp-type hose clamps.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 5,530 miles Cincinnati, OH Crash 1 injured

TIRES:VALVE

TRAVELING HOME ON TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. I HAD TRAVELED 40 MILES FROM MY STARTING POINT PRIOR TO EVENT. HEARD A LOUD POP AND AIR ESCAPING FROM REAR TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE MOTORCYCLE MOVED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND FLIPPED. I TRIED TO CONTROL BUT THE BIKE FLIPPED ME OFF AND I SUSTAINED INJURIES. I TALKED WITH THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND NO HOLES IN THE TIRE ALTHOUGH FELT THE VALVE STEM FAILED DUE TO RUBBER FAILURE. THIS MOTORCYCLE IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD HAVE OTHERS FAILED SO EARLY?

NHTSA complaint #10133971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 66,000 miles Lorena, TX

POWER TRAIN

FINAL DRIVE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NO OIL LEAKED BEFORE FAILURE. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *KB

NHTSA complaint #10446703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Mountain View, CA

POWER TRAIN

AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FINAL DRIVES IN OUR R1200C'S AND R1200CL'S IS THE DREADED FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. MOST OF US WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS, FIRST NOTICED EITHER A LATERAL WOBBLE OF THE REAR WHEEL, DROPS OF FLUID ON OUR REAR WHEELS, AND/OR FLUID STAINS SPRAYED RADIALLY ON THE REAR TIRE. WELL, I TOOK A 600 MILE JAUNT LAST WEEKEND TO MAKE SURE THE BIKE COULD HANDLE THE NEW TOURING BAGS AND THE T-BAG I BOUGHT. THE TRIP WAS GREAT - NEAR QUINCY, CA. WHEN I GOT HOME, I NOTICED SOME OIL SPOTS ON THE RIGHT REAR BAG, THE HORROR OF HORRORS, RADIAL STRIPES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR TIRE. I LOOKED UP UNDER THE FINAL DRIVE AND WHAT DO I SEE? - YES, A BIG OLD DROP OF OIL! GROAN, AND I'M LEAVING ON SATURDAY FOR SC.

NHTSA complaint #10446560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,500 miles Lakeville, MN

POWER TRAIN

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549. THE LEAK OF OIL CAUSED THE SIDE OF THE TIRE TO BECOME FOULED,AND THE BRAKE WAS HEAVILY COATED AS WELL. I STOPPED AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A NEW SET OF BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED, AS WELL AS THE REAR BEARING AND SEALS.

NHTSA complaint #10446616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,500 miles Lakeville, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549. THE LEAK OF OIL CAUSED THE SIDE OF THE TIRE TO BECOME FOULED,AND THE BRAKE WAS HEAVILY COATED AS WELL. I STOPPED AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A NEW SET OF BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED, AS WELL AS THE REAR BEARING AND SEALS.

NHTSA complaint #10446616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,500 miles Lakeville, MN

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549. THE LEAK OF OIL CAUSED THE SIDE OF THE TIRE TO BECOME FOULED,AND THE BRAKE WAS HEAVILY COATED AS WELL. I STOPPED AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A NEW SET OF BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED, AS WELL AS THE REAR BEARING AND SEALS.

NHTSA complaint #10446616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,624 miles Pasadena, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE FUEL STARTING SPRAYING FROM A FUEL LINE DISCONNECT FITTING. THE MALE PORTION BROKE. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND NOTICED FUEL JUST GUSHING OUT OF ONE OF THE SIDE PANELS AND SPLASHING ON THE EXHAUST. MY ENTIRE TANK (APROX 2 GALLONS) EMPTIED IN A MATTER OF 1-2 MINUTES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BUT FROM RESEARCH ON ONLINE FORUMS WWW.CHROMEHEADS.COM IT IS VERY COMMON. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE. THE FUEL WAS DRIPPING DIRECTLY ONTO MY HOT EXHAUST PIPES, LEGS AND BOOTS. IF THE FUEL HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME SERIOUS INJURY. BMW NOW SELLS METAL QUICK CONNECTS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND ALL THESE PLASTIC QUICK CONNECTS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH METAL ONES.

NHTSA complaint #10281360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,530 miles Cincinnati, OH Crash 1 injured

TIRES:VALVE

TRAVELING HOME ON TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. I HAD TRAVELED 40 MILES FROM MY STARTING POINT PRIOR TO EVENT. HEARD A LOUD POP AND AIR ESCAPING FROM REAR TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE MOTORCYCLE MOVED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND FLIPPED. I TRIED TO CONTROL BUT THE BIKE FLIPPED ME OFF AND I SUSTAINED INJURIES. I TALKED WITH THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND NO HOLES IN THE TIRE ALTHOUGH FELT THE VALVE STEM FAILED DUE TO RUBBER FAILURE. THIS MOTORCYCLE IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD HAVE OTHERS FAILED SO EARLY?

NHTSA complaint #10133971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Cameron Park, CA

WHEELS

BMW MOTORCYCLE MODEL R1200CLC. THE MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. BMW'S RESPONSE IS NO FAULT FOUND OPPERATING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #10121033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Cameron Park, CA

STEERING:LINKAGES

BMW MOTORCYCLE MODEL R1200CLC. THE MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. BMW'S RESPONSE IS NO FAULT FOUND OPPERATING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #10121033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Bolton, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE BMW "CRUISER" FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITS A LARGE PROPORTION OF UNITS THAT HAVE A "PULL TO THE RIGHT" ISSUE, IN VARYING DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF WEB SITES THAT SUPPORT THESE VEHICLES ALL REPORT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURING. TO DATE, BMW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I AM CONTACTING YOU AS BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THE MODEL THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT NO FIX WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS HAVE DONE VARIOUS QUICK FIXES, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY BMW. CURRENTLY MY BIKE WITH 6,000 MILES IS SHOWING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR INDICATIVE OF A "PTTR" (PULL TO THE RIGHT) ISSUE. THIS PTTR ALSO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE FATIGUE AMONG SOME RIDERS, ALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. REFER TO WWW.CHROMEHEADS.ORG FOR BOARD DISCUSSION OF THE PTTR ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THANK YOU, R KARLSTAD.

NHTSA complaint #10093620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Bolton, MA

STEERING:LINKAGES

THE BMW "CRUISER" FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITS A LARGE PROPORTION OF UNITS THAT HAVE A "PULL TO THE RIGHT" ISSUE, IN VARYING DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF WEB SITES THAT SUPPORT THESE VEHICLES ALL REPORT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURING. TO DATE, BMW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I AM CONTACTING YOU AS BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THE MODEL THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT NO FIX WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS HAVE DONE VARIOUS QUICK FIXES, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY BMW. CURRENTLY MY BIKE WITH 6,000 MILES IS SHOWING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR INDICATIVE OF A "PTTR" (PULL TO THE RIGHT) ISSUE. THIS PTTR ALSO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE FATIGUE AMONG SOME RIDERS, ALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. REFER TO WWW.CHROMEHEADS.ORG FOR BOARD DISCUSSION OF THE PTTR ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THANK YOU, R KARLSTAD.

NHTSA complaint #10093620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Bolton, MA

WHEELS:RIM

THE BMW "CRUISER" FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITS A LARGE PROPORTION OF UNITS THAT HAVE A "PULL TO THE RIGHT" ISSUE, IN VARYING DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF WEB SITES THAT SUPPORT THESE VEHICLES ALL REPORT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURING. TO DATE, BMW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I AM CONTACTING YOU AS BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THE MODEL THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT NO FIX WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS HAVE DONE VARIOUS QUICK FIXES, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY BMW. CURRENTLY MY BIKE WITH 6,000 MILES IS SHOWING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR INDICATIVE OF A "PTTR" (PULL TO THE RIGHT) ISSUE. THIS PTTR ALSO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE FATIGUE AMONG SOME RIDERS, ALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. REFER TO WWW.CHROMEHEADS.ORG FOR BOARD DISCUSSION OF THE PTTR ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THANK YOU, R KARLSTAD.

NHTSA complaint #10093620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Bolton, MA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

THE BMW "CRUISER" FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITS A LARGE PROPORTION OF UNITS THAT HAVE A "PULL TO THE RIGHT" ISSUE, IN VARYING DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF WEB SITES THAT SUPPORT THESE VEHICLES ALL REPORT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURING. TO DATE, BMW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I AM CONTACTING YOU AS BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THE MODEL THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT NO FIX WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS HAVE DONE VARIOUS QUICK FIXES, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY BMW. CURRENTLY MY BIKE WITH 6,000 MILES IS SHOWING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR INDICATIVE OF A "PTTR" (PULL TO THE RIGHT) ISSUE. THIS PTTR ALSO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE FATIGUE AMONG SOME RIDERS, ALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. REFER TO WWW.CHROMEHEADS.ORG FOR BOARD DISCUSSION OF THE PTTR ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THANK YOU, R KARLSTAD.

NHTSA complaint #10093620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

REARVIEW MIRROR DESIGN ON THE BMW R1200 CLC MOTORCYCLE PROVIDES LITTTLE OR NO VIEW TO THE SIDES AND POOR VIEW TO THE REAR.THIS PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY BAD AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10055190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200 miles Russiaville, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MOTORCYCLE THROTTLE LOCKS AT 2000 RPM WITH NO WARNING, MOTORCYCLE ENGINE WILL DIE WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED., MOTORCYCLE WILL DIE DUR ACCELERATION FROM STANDING STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10039624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10 miles Durham, NH

STRUCTURE

BMW R1200CLC MOTORCYCLE SUFFICIENTLY MISBALANCED (I.E. CENTER OF GRAVITY).HE RIGHT OF CENTER LINE, SUCH THAT A RIGHT COUNTER STEER IS CONTINUOUSLY REQUIRED TO ENABLE THE BIKE TO TRACK STRAIGHT; IMPLYING THAT THE BIKE. *AK COULD NOT BE RELIABLY BE RIDDEN STRAIGHT WITHOUT FALLING OVER, ON LOW TRACTION SURFACES SUCH AS GREASY, OR ICY ROADS; AS WELL AS CREATING LEFT ARM RIDER FATIGUE OVER LONG DISTANCES, AND INDUCING EXCESSIVE LEFT SIDE FRONT TIRE WEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10037338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Spokane, WA

SUSPENSION

BMW MOTORCYCLES MODEL YEAR 2003 MODEL # R12CL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT WHEEL ALIGNMENT/TRACKING PROBLEM SECONDARY TO A DESIGN DEFECT. BMW ARGUES THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL AND REFUSES TOI ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *AK THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL MANDATED. FOLLOWING IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AS I DESCRIBED AND CONFIRMED IT WITH BMW. 2003 BMW R12CL [XXX] HAS TRACKING TO THE RIGHT PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED BY BMW MASTER TECHNICIAN [XXX] AT DEALER 2049. FRONT AND REAR WHEEL FRAME GEOMETRY AND TRACKING TO THE RIGHT. THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS NOTED BY MYSELF TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PULL OR TRACKING TO THE RIGHT SIDE DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS EVALUATED FOR THIS PROBLEM BY BMW MASTER TECHNICIAN [XXX] ON JUNE 3 2003 AT DEALERSHIP 2049 AND HE DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. THE UNIT HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 578 MILES AT THIS TIME. REPAIR ORDER 44013 WAS GENERATED AT THIS TIME DOCUMENTING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ATTACHED THIS FOR YOUR REVIEW. SINCE THIS PROBLEM CAUSES RIDER FATIGUE FROM THE CONSTANT STEER PRESSURE THAT MUST BE APPLIED TO KEEP THE MOTORCYCLE TRACKING FOLLOWING THE ROAD IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE ALSO IT WILL CAUSE PREMATURE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR , IT MUST BE ADDRESSED NOW. SERVICE MANAGER LONG TOLD ME THAT HE HAD CONTACTED YOU TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND THAT YOU REPLIED  ALL BMW MOTORCYCLES TRACK TO THE RIGHT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10033225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Green BAY, WI

SUSPENSION

2003 BMW R1Z00 CK MOTORCYCLE TRACKS TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BALANCED HEAVY ON THE RIGHT. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS IMBALANCED AND HEAVY ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10033810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Green BAY, WI

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING MOTORCYCLE'S STABILITY IS HARD TO MAINTAIN, IT ALWAYS PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALER HAS INSPECTED MOTORCYCLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BMW, MODEL R1200CLC , 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10030164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.