RoadVitals

2008 BMW K1200 GT

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.
34
Latest Mar 1, 2021
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.
7
Latest Aug 10, 2020
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.
1
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 BMW K1200 GT, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 27 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

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
20V471000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 10, 2020
16,926 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
15V141000

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Mar 11, 2015
43,426 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
13V617000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Dec 12, 2013
50,184 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA13006ClosedEngineering Analysis

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

Opened Jul 12, 2013
Closed Jan 31, 2014

ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10485452,10433589,10467136,10420291,10503806, 10532145,10523763,10523626,10425514,10354202,10437222,10444742, 10454834,10532172,10487624,10435984,10452476, 10485337

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPLed to recall 13V617000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 34
Fuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2021

THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE ON THIS 2008 BMW K1200GT IS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE BELOW. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS SEEN IN THIS LINK: HTTPS://WWW.ASPHALTANDRUBBER.COM/RECALL/BMW-FUEL-FLANGE-LEAK-RECALL-2020/ AND ALSO AT THE LINK BELOW WHICH SHOWS NHTSA'S LETTER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/RCL/2020/RCAK-20V471-2669.PDF ON MY MOTORCYCLE GAS IS LEAKING OUT FROM THE SAME FUEL PUMP FLANGE AND LEAKING DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE.. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AS NOTED IN NHTSA'S REPORT. I HAVE INCLUDED A YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK BELOW THAT SHOWS HOW AND WHERE THE GAS IS LEAKING OUT FROM MY GAS TANK. THIS OCCURS IF THE BIKE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. SEE BELOW: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=PWUSMVRBN8M I AM ASKING THAT MY BMW MOTORCYCLE BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER 2008 K1200GT BIKES THAT WERE COVERED. I AM NOT SURE WHY MY BIKE WOULD NOT ALSO BE IN THAT RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11398414
Incident
Feb 10, 2021
Mileage
38,400 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 20, 2016

FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILURE. RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE 90 WESTBOUND NEAR MITCHELL, SD. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/8 TANK OF FUEL. NO WARNING ISSUED BY MOTORCYCLE TO RIDER. BIKE JUST SUDDENLY SLOWED IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS 3RD TIME FOR THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10886044
Incident
Jul 20, 2015
Mileage
59,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 20, 2016

FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILURE. RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE 90 EASTBOUND IN NY MILEPOST 460.5. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. NO WARNING ISSUED BY MOTORCYCLE TO RIDER. BIKE JUST SUDDENLY SLOWED IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS 4TH TIME FOR THIS FAILURE (HAD IT REPAIRED BY BMW ON AUG 5, 2015)

NHTSA ID
10886042
Incident
Jul 14, 2016
Mileage
64,460 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2016

ABS FAILED WITH NO WARNINGS, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. I BELEIVE THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT FAILIURE. HAPPEND ON MY BROTHERS BIKE AS WELL 2 MONTHS LATER. LESS THEN 30K MILES AND JUST PAST 3 YEARS... HAPPENED DURING RIDE ON FREEWAY ON FIRST USE OF BRAKE. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE. BMW CLAIMED IT IS NOT SIGNIFICANT AND NOT A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10883550
Incident
Jan 4, 2011
Mileage
32,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 27, 2015
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

7/19/11 SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT, 5-10 MPH, WHEN GAS CAP CAME OPEN AND FUEL DUMPED ALL OVER VICTIM AND MOTORCYCLE. RIDER 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS OVER 40% OF HIS BODY, ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN AMPUTATION OF BOTH LEGS. PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT, DRIVER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES TO REPORT GAS CAP WOULD COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING BIKE DOWN THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP NEVER FIXED GAS CAP.

NHTSA ID
10777932
Incident
Jul 19, 2011
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2015

FIRST INDICATION OF THE FINAL DRIVE FAILING WAS A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE REAR WHEN RUNNING OVER EXPANSION JOINTS AT HIGHWAY SPEED ,5/25/12 @ 15,784 MILES. THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL OIL LEAK. THE DEALER MADE REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE. SECOND FAILURE ON DAY TRIP 9/24/15 @ 26,687 NOTICED CLUNKING RIDING ON ROUGH PAVEMENT COMING FROM REAR OF BIKE,SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. AGAIN NO OIL LEAK AND WHEEL RIM AGAIN WOBBLES AT 9 AND 3 O'CLOCK AND 6 AND 12 O'CLOCK. TAKING TO DEALER 9/25/15 AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT SECOND FAILURE!

NHTSA ID
10776511
Incident
May 25, 2012
Mileage
15,784 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 2015

ABS PUMP FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10744794
Incident
Jul 23, 2015
Mileage
30,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2015

REAR DRIVE BEARINGS AND WHEEL SIDE SEAL FAILED GEAR LUBE ON REAR BRAKE PADS AND REAR BRAKES QUIT WORKING. TIRE TREAD CONTAMINATED WITH LUBE MAKING GREATLY REDUCED TRACTION. NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE ON STOPPING DUE TO CHANGE IN THE VEHICLE DYNAMICS AND LOSS OF REAR WHEEL TRACTION AS THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE ANY INDICATION THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED UNTIL STOPPING. THE REAR DRIVE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 4 MONTHS MARCH 2015 AT 11,400 MILES OR SO. I HAVE NEVER HAD A FAILURE ON SUCH A MAJOR SAFETY RELATED COMPONENT SUCH AS THIS ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED AT SUCH A RELATIVELY LOW TOTAL VEHICLE MILEAGE LEVEL.

NHTSA ID
10735021
Incident
Jul 18, 2015
Mileage
14,483 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

MC160214

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender “Fuel Strip” equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.

MC460807

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Manufacturing tolerances between the center stand and the main frame can result in excessive endplay of the center-stand pivot mount.

MC610107

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

There is a possibility of the "EWS" (electronic immobilizer) error message being displayed in the instrument cluster of the K 1200 GT (K44). If this occurs the engine will not start.

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.

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 K1200 GT by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010000—
2009000—
2008Viewing347149.7
2007287146.3
2006115144.6
2005230—
2004600—
2003200—

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.