2003 BMW K1200LT 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 K1200LT, 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
- Powertrain (other)1041.7%
- Fuel system625.0%
- Transmission312.5%
- Suspension28.3%
- Engine14.2%
- Brakes14.2%
- Electrical14.2%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH PLATE CRACKED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL PARTS TO THE FINAL DRIVE
DRIVE SHAFT HAD BREAK, DANGEROUS. CAUSED THE FINAL DRIVE GEARS TO BREAK, DANGEROUS. ON THE ROAD.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
REAR DRIVE BEARING FAILED. *NM
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
BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .