RoadVitals

2012 BMW F 800 Gs

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Sep 20, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 21, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 BMW F 800 Gs, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 15 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system342.9%
  • Electrical228.6%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18E016000

EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY

Mar 21, 2018
1,571 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8546224, sold for use on model year 2014-2018 S1000R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8551929, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 S1000XR motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8554726, sold for use on model year 2013-2018 R1200GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8554727 sold for use on model year 2014-2018 R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8556927, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200RS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8559548, sold for use on model year 2017-2018 R1200GS motorcycles and Windscreen model number 8561755, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F800GS motorcycles. These windscreens have extra tinting on them that may reduce the rider's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
The risk: The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V481000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 28, 2017
47,775 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Sep 20, 2017

I BOUGHT THE 2012 F800GS WITH 417 MILES ABOUT A MONTH AGO AT A DEALERSHIP. IT'S A GREAT BIKE. I HAVE ABOUT 520 MILES ON IT. BUT TODAY I PUMPED GAS AND WHEN I PARKED IT AT HOME I NOTICED THAT IT WAS LEAKING GAS. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE FUEL TANK CRACKED ALONG THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK, ALL AROUND . I'VE CLEANED IT IN THE PAST AND NEVER SAW THIS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I REFUELED THE BIKE. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM OR A NUMBER THAT I CAN CALL? I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANKS

NHTSA ID
11024556
Incident
Sep 19, 2017
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Aug 21, 2017

STOCK CHARGING SYSTEM FAILED AT ONLY 47,000 MILES. REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS DUE TO COST. BMW SAYS YOU MUST REPLACE STATOR AND ROTOR, WHEN ONLY THE STATOR HAS FAILED. THE NEW STATOR FAILED WITHIN 6,000 MILES. REPLACED AGAIN, AND AGAIN. THEY FAIL ROUGHLY EVERY 8,000 MILES. THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED WITH 2013 AND NEWER MODELS, BUT THE OLD BIKES ARE STILL FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE. WITH NO HELP FROM BMW, THESE ARE STILL A MAJOR ISSUE. WHEN THE BATTERY BECOMES LOW, THE ABS PUMP STOPS WORKING FIRST, THEN THE LIGHTS, THEN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WITH THE MOTOR SHUTTING OFF. HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I WAS STATIONED IN GUAM WITH FIRST FAILURE. NOT EASY GETTING A TOW ACROSS A SMALL ISLAND WITH NO ACCESS TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THE REMAINING FAILURES HAVE ALL BEEN BACK STATESIDE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE LEFT ME STRANDED TWO MILES FROM HOME WHILE COMING HOME LATE ONE NIGHT. WHILE RIDING, MY ABS INDICATOR FLASHED, LETTING ME KNOW THAT I HAVE A LOW BATTERY. THEN THE LIGHT WENT SOLID, INDICATING ABS PUMP FAILURE DUE TO LOW VOLTAGE. THEN MY LCD DASH AND TACHOMETER WENT OUT. THEN MY HEADLIGHT, RUNNING, AND BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED OFF, AT NIGHT, ON A 4 LANE INNER CITY ROAD. NOT EVEN MY HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED. THEN THE BIKES FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED AND STALLED. I COASTED TO A RIGHT TURN LANE SAFELY AND PROCEEDED TO PUSH THE MOTORCYCLE THE REMAINING TWO MILES. UPON DISASSEMBLY OF MY STATOR, IT WAS SEVERELY BURNT TO DUE A LACK OF OIL COOLING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTOR. I KNOW BMW MAKES MANY MOTORCYCLES WITH THE SAME F800 SERIES ENGINES. THEY ARE A COMMON PROBLEM APPARENTLY AND ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. AS THE BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM IS CRUCIAL TO MOST MOTORCYCLES, THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY RISK AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SO. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11016539
Incident
Aug 20, 2015
Mileage
47,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2014
Fire reported

THE BIKE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT WHILE LOOKING AT IT TO REPAIR THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A FIRE. THE BEST I CAN TELL IS SOMEONE AT THE DEALER CAUSED THE BIKE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561245
Incident
Jun 14, 2013
Mileage
2,422 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 31, 2013

THIS IS FOR A BMW F800GS 2012 TROPHY EDITION MOTORCYCLE GAS TANK. I JUST DISCOVERED CRACKS IN THE FUEL TANK JUST UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. I'VE ALSO SMELLED ALSO GAS COMING OUT OF THOSE CRACKS AND CONFIRMED IT IS VENTING GAS/AIR COMBINATION. I'VE CONTACTED THE AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER FROM I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH IS UNDER WARRANTY AND LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD, AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK BUT WITH THE SAME MODEL/PART NUMBER AS THE EXISTING ONE AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE CRACKS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN EVEN WITH THE NEW GAS TANK. I'VE CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COSMETIC ISSUE AFTER THEY SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE MOTORCYCLE IS NOW AT THE DEALER WAITING FOR THE GAS TANK TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER DURING THE REPAIR TIME WHICH IS NOW PAST 3 DAYS. AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH I'VE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER F800GS OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS STARTED FROM 2008 SO I WAS SOLD A MOTORCYCLE WITH A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE GAS TANK BUT NOBODY TOLD ME ANYTHING. AGAIN , COSMETIC OR NON-COSMETIC THESE ARE CRACKS IN THE GAS TANK AND GASOLINE/AIR COMBINATION IS COMING OUT OF THEM WHICH CAN LEAD INCLUDING TO EXPLOSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514470
Incident
May 22, 2013
Mileage
4,721 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MCAS2026

ENGINE

Hose Set Idle Actuator Return

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

MC000521

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control units cannot be found when reading out with ISTA. 2. Control units initially communicate after connecting to the vehicle, but communication later stops.

MC55297495

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket (manufactured before 2009)Headlights and rear lights light up intermittently despite the ignition being switched off and the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket.

MC210221

POWER TRAIN

The clutch plates do not tolerate frequent and prolonged operation at the clutch friction zone, causing a shorter service life in motorcycles that see intensive use

SIM010717

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW F 800 Gs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024000—
2019000—
2018010—
2017030—
2016020—
2015220—
2014120—
2013104042.0
2012Viewing420—
2011010—
2010420—
2009174040.6
2008140—
2007000—
2006000—
2005000—
2004000—
2003000—
2002000—
2001000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.