2003 BMW K1200LT Owner Complaints

CLUTCH PLATE CRACKED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL PARTS TO THE FINAL DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11407107

Incident

Aug 14, 2013

Mileage

87,770 mi

DRIVE SHAFT HAD BREAK, DANGEROUS. CAUSED THE FINAL DRIVE GEARS TO BREAK, DANGEROUS. ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11407105

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

Mileage

107,000 mi

2003 BMW K1200LTC TOURING MOTORCYCLE, WENT UP IN MASSIVE FLAMES AND A SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION, WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING / IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES. FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED 10 MINUTES LATER, AND BATTELLED THE FLAMED FOR 7 MORE MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH IT. LUCKILY NO PERSONAL INJURY, BUT SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT. INITIAL WHITE SMOKE, AND FLAMES OBSERVED AT THE FUEL-RAIL ABOVE THE ENGINE FRONT, LEFT HAND SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11406760

Incident

Dec 8, 2020

Mileage

42,600 mi

BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.

NHTSA ID

11406630

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

103,684 mi

2003 BMW K1200LT BURNED TO ASHES ON 12-08-2020. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE FROM FRONT. FLAMES IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE. RECENT SERVICES- FEB 2020, INCLUDED REPLACING QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINES WITH NEW METAL UPGRADES, AFTER FUEL LEAK DETECTED. 42K MILES. HUGE FIRE. EXTREME DANGER WARNING.

NHTSA ID

11382726

Incident

Dec 8, 2020

Mileage

42,600 mi

WHILE RIDING, FUEL BEGAN POURING OUT OVER MY RIGHT FOOT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECTS (USED FOR REMOVING THE FUEL TANK) DETERIORATED BECAUSE THEY ARE PLASTIC (THE PLASTIC PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED--THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOW METAL). MY DEALER REPLACED THE DISCONNECTS WITH THE NEW, METAL PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10604805

Incident

Jun 8, 2014

Mileage

50,737 mi

THE FINAL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE, CAUSE CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL, EJECTION FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE MACHINE. THE RIDER SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES, MOSTLY ABRASIONS AND BRUISES, AND BROKEN BONES. THE TIRE PRESSURES AND FINAL DRIVE FLUID LEVEL HAD BEEN CHECKED THAT DAY, AND WERE CORRECT. A $10,000 MACHINE WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF A CHEAP PART THAT IS A KNOWN DEFECT, HAS OCCURRED OVER AND OVER, AND BMW HAS NOT BEEN ORDERED TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10521267

Incident

Jun 17, 2013

Mileage

33,245 mi

FELT A STRANGE VIBRATION. EXITED THE ROAD AT THE NEXT EXIT ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. UPON SLOWING BELOW 20 MPH, THE VIBRATION INCREASED. BRAKING WAS DIMINISHED AND USED DOWN SHIFTING. PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE. FOUND OIL RUNNING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE DOWN THE BRAKE ROTOR AND RIM/TIRE. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER. DEALER SAID THE FINAL DRIVE BEARINGS HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PRE-2004 FINAL DRIVES, THE DEALER REPLACED WITH A FINAL DRIVE FROM A 2006. *TR

NHTSA ID

10464362

Incident

May 1, 2009

Mileage

31,555 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 BMW K1200 LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE VEHICLE SEIZE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BEARINGS, O-RINGS, AND REAR WHEEL SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,876.

NHTSA ID

10446859

Incident

Dec 6, 2008

Mileage

30,876 mi

BMW K1200LT 2003 MOTORCYLE I PURCHASED USED WITH 8700 MILES ON THE BIKE. AT 18646 HAVING ALL THE MAINTENANCE DONE BY THE DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A RUMBLING SOUND TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I PULLED OVER THINKING IT MIGHT BE A BAD TIRE AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING ON THE REAR TIRE/RIM. OIL ON THE REAR BRAKES DID HAMPER MY SLOWING DOWN. BMW REPAIRED THE FINAL DRIVE SAYING THE OUTSIDE BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE OIL SEAL TO FAIL. AT 25,423 MILES THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A HIGH PRICED BIKE AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH I BELIEVE NOW THAT IT WASN'T ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND DURING THE REPAIR NO CHANGE ON THE NEW BEARING WAS DONE SO IT FAILED A SECOND TIME. I FINALLY PURCHASED A USED FINAL DRIVE TO CONTINUE RIDING. I NOW HAVE 129,025 ON THE BIKE AND THE USED FINAL DRIVE IS STILL PERFORMING OK SO THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL DRIVE ON THIS BIKE. A NEW FINAL DRIVE WASN'T IN MY BUDGET. I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN IN A HARD CURVE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. NOT GOOD, I'D SAY. BMW CAN/SHOULD DO BETTER DURING ASSEMBLY. *KB

NHTSA ID

10446654

Incident

Apr 12, 2006

Mileage

18,646 mi

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE KENTUCKY PARKWAY I FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION AND SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I SLOWED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR TIRE I FOUND A LOT OF GEAR OIL ON THE TIRE, RIM, AND REAR DRIVE. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOSE TRACTION AND CRASH. *KB

NHTSA ID

10446588

Incident

Jun 21, 2011

Mileage

143,740 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS QUICK RELEASE FUEL LINES THAT ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND THEY BREAK EASILY. IF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THEY BREAK, GAS WOULD LEAK ONTO THE DRIVER AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LINES, ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS PURCHASED THAT THE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21740 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21740. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 11/28/2011 *LN

NHTSA ID

10353369

Incident

Jul 24, 2010

Mileage

21,740 mi

FUEL SMELL FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING. FUEL SPRAY ON MY RIGHT BOOT. REMOVED SIDE FAIRING, STARTED ENGINE AND NOTICED FUEL SPRAYING FROM PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTOR. REPLACED PLASTIC CONNECTOR WITH BRASS.*TR

NHTSA ID

10263902

Incident

Mar 31, 2009

Mileage

21,050 mi

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. LOSS OF HYPOID FLUID CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL ON MOTORCYCLE. WAS ABLE TO STAY UPRIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217729

Incident

Feb 4, 2008

Mileage

77,461 mi

2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10167806

Incident

Aug 31, 2006

Mileage

48,000 mi

BMW 0703 K1200LTC MOTORCYCLE REAR END FAILED AT LESS THAN 19,000 MILES CREATING A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY. HOWEVER BY HEARING THE GEAR NOISE IN TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE BEFORE THE REAR SEAL ALLOWED OIL OUT OF THE REAR END. SO IT HAD TO BE A BEARING FAILURE IN MY OPINION. AT THIS TIME NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM

NHTSA ID

10167135

Incident

Aug 30, 2006

Mileage

18,869 mi

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 BMW K1200LTE MOTORCYCLE THAT JUST EXPERIENCED A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER PRESSURE DUE TO A CRACKED PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING ON A FUEL LINE THAT WAS UNDER PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED SPRAYING FUEL TO SOAK MY RIGHT SHOE AND RUN DOWN OVER THE HOT ENGINE. THERE WAS A BULLETIN FROM BMW TO HAVE THE QUICK DISCONNECTS, O-RINGS, AND CLAMPS CHECKED. I HAD THIS DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE BULLETIN HOWEVER DOESN'T PROVIDE FOR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH AN UPGRADED PART. THERE HAVE NOW BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THIS MODEL BIKE. YOU CAN GO TO THE WWW.BMWLT.COM WEBSITE FORUM AND SEARCH FOR FUEL LEAK TO GET AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE INSTANCES. ONE BIKE BURNED TO THE GROUND, BUT BMW STATES THAT IT WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING....I WONDER ABOUT THAT. THE RIDER WAS KILLED. I FEEL IT MY DUTY TO REPORT THIS AND HOPE THAT A RECALL AND REDESIGN OF THE PART CAN PREVENT ANYONE FROM DYING. A SIDE NOTE TO THIS IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VAST AMOUNT OF FUEL GETTING ON THE REAR TIRE AND CAUSING A CRASH DUE TO SLIPPAGE. RON KELLENBENZ 18123 CR 1275 TYLER, TX 75703 903 839-5132 [email protected]. *JB

NHTSA ID

10158846

Incident

May 31, 2006

Mileage

33,320 mi

REAR DRIVE BEARING FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10150393

Incident

Feb 1, 2006

Mileage

35,800 mi

FAILED SHIFTER ON MOTORCYCLE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10095651

Incident

Oct 3, 2004

Mileage

15,453 mi

THE SHIFT LINKAGE BROKE ON MY 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT MODEL IS K1200LT - YOUR DROP DOWN MENU BELOW DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS CHOICE!! *PH

NHTSA ID

10030982

Incident

Jul 28, 2003

Mileage

462 mi

NOTE- ACTUAL MODEL NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR DATABASE. MODEL IS: 2003 BMW K1200LT CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE SHIFT LINKAGE FAILED CAUSING INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. LINKAGE BROKE WHERE SHORT THREADED ROD CONNECT BALL JOINT TO SHIFTER ARM. MOTORCYCLE STRANDED AND REQUIRED TOW. THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MODEL AND THIS FAILURE OCCURS OFTEN.

NHTSA ID

10025370

Incident

Mar 11, 2003

Mileage

675 mi