2003 BMW K Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 BMW K Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system342.9%
- Powertrain (other)342.9%
- Suspension114.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200 RS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE DISCOVERED FUEL SPRAYING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE UNDER THE RECALL BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT THE COUPLING WAS ONLY INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. QUICK DISCONNECTS (PLASTIC) ON FUEL LINES DETERIORATE AND LEAK FUEL. VERY DANGEROUS. NO FIRE BUT COULD HAVE BEEN ONE. WHEN FUEL LEAKS IT SPRAYS OVER RIGHT LEG AND FOOT. I WILL REPLACE WITH BRASS FITTINGS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN OF THE BIKE. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A SMALL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. IT COULD BE FELT IN THE SEAT AND FOOTPEGS. AS I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING WHICH COULD BE CHECKED WITHOUT TAKING ANYTHING APART. EVERYTHING THING WAS FINE INCLUDING THE WHEELS AND TIRES. ALL SEEMED TO BE TIGHT. THERE WAS NO FLUID LEAKS COMING FROM THE BIKE. AS I FOUND THIS UNSUA,L AND WAS AWARE OF THE DRIVELINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL BIKE, I DECIDED TO CONTACT THIS SITE. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO RIDE THE BIKE ANY FURTHER UNTIL I FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LAST THING I NEED IS TO HAVE A MAJOR MALFUNCTION FAILURE WHILE OPERATING THE BIKE. I HAVE BEEN RIDING BIKES SINCE I WAS 16, AND NOW I'M 63. I RODE MOTORCYCLES FOR THE MANCHESTER, NH POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE MECHANICALS OF THESE UNITS. *TR
CROWN GEAR FAILURE IN THE PARALEVER FINAL DRIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K 1200 LTE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNDRIVABLE SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE NOISE WAS DUE TO A BUSTED RING AND PINION CAUSING GREASE TO SPILL ON TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL REGARDING THE RING AND PINION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE REAR SEAL FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR DRIVE GEAR TO LOSE LUBRICATION. UPDATED 03/28/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .