RoadVitals

2001 BMW K1200LT

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.
25
Latest Mar 13, 2012
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.
0
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.
2
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 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 BMW K1200LT, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), brakes and suspension categories. 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 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

  • Powertrain (other)1037.0%
  • Brakes829.6%
  • Suspension311.1%
  • Transmission27.4%
  • Exterior lighting13.7%
  • Other / unspecified13.7%
  • Fuel system13.7%
  • Visibility13.7%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

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

DP12001ClosedDefect Petition

M/C final drive ball bearing failure

Opened Jan 20, 2012
Closed Jun 20, 2013

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked NHTSA to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection ofcomponent wear and proper assembly of the [final drive] bearing.ODI has reviewed the petition, assessed relevant consumer complaints, and gathered other data in the course of investigating this issue.Based on its review, ODI does not believe that a safety-related defect trend currently exists for final drive bearing failures in the subject motorcycles.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.However, the agency will continue to monitor information related to this issue and will take further action if warranted.For detailed information, see the Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-13779.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
PE03054ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE

Opened Dec 1, 2003
Closed Jan 23, 2004

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 O-RING WILL BE REPLACED.IF DAMAGED, THE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED.OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSLed to recall 04V028000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 25
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW K1200 LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE FELT A SLIGHT VIBRATION. AFTER PULLING OVER HER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK ON THE REAR TIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BEARINGS HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE SEAL TO FRACTURE, CAUSING THE LEAK. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BEARINGS AND THE SEAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,151. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ THE DIFFERENTIAL BEARING AND SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/16/12

NHTSA ID
10451469
Incident
Jun 15, 2009
Mileage
45,151 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 2012

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND > CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. GEAR OIL LEAKED. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED 850 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. *KB

NHTSA ID
10446610
Incident
Jul 21, 2010
Mileage
87,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 6, 2011

2001 BMW K1200LT. REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION INTO BMW MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE FAILURES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A SAFE STOP, HE DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKES DID NOT WORK, WHICH FORCED HIM TO USE THE FRONT BRAKES ONLY, WHICH EXTENDED HIS STOPPING DISTANCE. HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE BIKE TO A SAFE STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, HE REALIZED THE REAR BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THEY WERE SATURATED IN GEAR OIL, THAT LEAKED FROM THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT AFTER THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING SEAL FAILED. THE FINAL GEAR CROWN GEAR BEARING FAILED, CAUSING METAL PARTS TO BE CRUSHED BETWEEN THE SPINNING GEARS, TEARING THE SEAL AND ALLOWING THE OIL TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILED ON HIS BIKE. *JB UPDATED 12/13/11*JB UPDATED 01/05/12.*JB ...UPDATED 01/31/12 *BF UPDATED 02/03/12

NHTSA ID
10439549
Incident
Oct 21, 2011
Mileage
59,310 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK ON A 2001 BMW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341253
Incident
Apr 21, 2010
Mileage
44,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2010

UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF REAR BEARING ON 2001 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. REAR BEARING OIL SEAL ALSO FAILED, CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE ONTO TIRES AND BRAKING SURFACES. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER FAILURE, BEFORE OIL IMPAIRED BRAKING ABILITIES. BEARING AND HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324890
Incident
Apr 9, 2001
Mileage
91,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2008

I NOTICED MY BIKE TIRES SEEMED TO BE OUT OF BALANCE, A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. I HAD THE TIRES CHECKED AND ENDED UP REPLACING THEM. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO MOVE TO THE REAR OF THE BIKE AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, WITH A VIBRATION IN THE FOOTPEGS AND WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IT FELT AS IF THE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. I CHECKED THE SUSPENSION AND SET IT TO THE PROPER PRELOAD ON THE REAR SHOCK BUT THE VIBRATION PERSISTED. I SEARCHED ON THE WEB AND FOUND WHERE OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WITH SHAFT DRIVE HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHEN THEIR REAR DRIVE BEARING WENT OUT. I HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A REAR DRIVE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250905
Incident
Nov 28, 2008
Mileage
60,200 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 2, 2008

BMW MOTORCYCLE K1200LT FINAL DRIVE FAILED 300 MILES FROM HOME. HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET HOME AND THEN BACK AGAIN TO PICK MOTORCYCLE UP. OUT OF POCKET COST OF REPAIRS AND TRANSPORTATION $700. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247463
Incident
Sep 30, 2008
Mileage
30,775 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 2007

COMPONENT FAILURE, HYDRAULIC BRAKES: ANTILOCK FINAL DRIVE FAILURE BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE

NHTSA ID
10201220
Incident
Aug 2, 2004

Manufacturer communications

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

MC611104

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

With the introduction of the new watertight fuse box a change was made from large type fuses to mini fuses. While the correct fuses are installed in the fuse box, the older, large type fuses were supplied in the on-board tool kit.

MC62133778

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible.

SIB-63-02-01

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM

SIB-16-02-09

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES, EPC DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY IN THE ILLUSTRATION, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARTS DESCRIPTION. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SB-17927831-02

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

BMW MOTORCYCLE: WHEEL SPEED DEPENDENT, CLEARLY AUDIBLE CLANKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN BRAKING TO ADJUST SPEED. E SERIES (K25; K25/02; K25/03; K25/11; K25/12; K25/HP; K26; K27; K28; K29; K29/HP; K40; K41; K43; K43/HV; K44; K589/03; K71). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SB-00-021-07

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

BMW MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING ETHANOL. BMW MOTORRAD HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE USE OF SI ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 10% ETHANOL AND IMPOSES NO WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS. ETHANOL MIXTURES IN PROPORTIONS HIGHER THAN 10% CAN HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE AND CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS THAT COME INTO CONTRACT WITH FUEL. NO WARRANTY CLAIMS WHATSOEVER FOR DAMAGE CAUSED IN THIS WAY WILL BE ACCEPTED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

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 K1200LT by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009400—
2008400—
2006100—
2005192153.9
2004401—
2003210144.9
2002370138.4
2001Viewing250238.3
2000510239.0
1999500141.3

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.