RoadVitals

2003 BMW K1200LT Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints 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.
10
Latest Apr 8, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
48%
of 21 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 BMW K1200LT submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 8, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11407107
Incident
Aug 14, 2013
Mileage
87,770 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 8, 2021

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
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Apr 6, 2021

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 23, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2012

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 6, 2012

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2012

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 2012

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 11, 2008

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 11, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10167806
Incident
Aug 31, 2006
Mileage
48,000 mi

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

Data on this page last refreshed .