RoadVitals

2005 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.
19
Latest Mar 8, 2015
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.
2
Latest Sep 9, 2004
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.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 BMW K1200LT, most frequently naming the fuel system, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 15 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)419.0%
  • Brakes314.3%
  • Suspension314.3%
  • Driver assistance14.8%
  • Steering14.8%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Sep 9, 2004
380 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AT LOWER TEMPERATURES, WIRING WITHIN THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROL UNIT MAY PRESS AGAINST THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CONTACTS COULD OPEN, INTERRUPTING THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN STALLING.
The risk: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 4, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Jun 23, 2004
181 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AN INCORRECT SEALING RING WAS MOUNTED TO THE PISTON OF THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
The risk: IF ONLY THE REAR BRAKE WERE APPLIED DURING RIDING, INSUFFICIENT BRAKING PRESSURE WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SLOW THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Mar 8, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE RIDING IN TO A LEFT HANDED CORNER THE FRONT RIGHT FRONT LEG BROKE STANDING THE MOTORCYCLE STRAIGHT UP AND SENDING ME AND THE BIKE INTO THE GUARDRAIL CAUSING A CRASH THAT I WAS LUCKY TO WALK AWAY FROM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692823
Incident
Mar 7, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 6, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE BRAKES SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS LEFT LEG AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE BUT WERE UNAWARE OF CODE READING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE INFORMATION TO GERMANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.*TR

NHTSA ID
10501837
Incident
Feb 5, 2013
Mileage
45,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2012

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *TR

NHTSA ID
10457226
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Mileage
23,200 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 6, 2012

THE UPPER THREADED PORTION OF THE SHAFT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BROKE OFF, WHICH IS THE CONNECTION POINT FROM THE LEADING LINK TO THE FRONT FORK BRIDGE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF BMW'S TELELEVER FRONT SUSPENSION. LOSS OF THIS CONNECTION POINT ALLOWS THE FRONT FORKS TO MOVE FRONT TO REAR CAUSING DANGEROUS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NORMAL OPERATION OF THE TELELEVER SUSPENSION EXERTS FORCES WHICH ARE LONGITUDINAL ALONG THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. THE BALL JOINT SHAFT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SIDEWAYS SHEAR FORCE, SO THE SHAFT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE METAL IN THE SHAFT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE IN ORDER FOR THE LONGITUDINAL FORCE ALONG THE SHAFT AXIS TO HAVE BROKEN OFF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10446763
Incident
Feb 2, 2012
Mileage
62,805 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 28, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE COUPLERS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,839.

NHTSA ID
10437485
Incident
Nov 23, 2011
Mileage
14,839 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 20, 2011

MAJOR GAS LEAK WHILE DRIVING - SPRAYED GAS ON RIGHT LEG AND FOOT. MY PANTS LEG, SOCK, AND SHOE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH GAS. DECIDED TO HAVE THE BIKE TOWED INSTEAD OF RISKING IT REPAIR PLACE SAID IT WAS THE PLASTIC GAS CONNECTOR AND HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO ORDER A METAL ONE. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE CHAT ROOMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10420797
Incident
Aug 19, 2011
Mileage
14,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Nov 8, 2009

REAR WHEEL STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND AND SEEMED TO BE ON INSIDE OF ROTOR. THOUGHT IT WAS AN OCCLUSION IN THE CASTING BUT THE WHEEL BEARING RETAINER IN THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING WAS CONING OUT. UPON INSPECTION AT DEALER IT WAS FOUND THE BEARING HAD BEEN OBLITERATED WHEN THE BEARING MOVED FROM ITS SPOT INSIDE THE REAR HUB. DEALER WILL REPLACE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291369
Incident
Nov 2, 2009
Mileage
91,236 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2009

DURING A 12,000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS ADVISED BY A BMW SERVICE ADVISOR TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTORS ON MY 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE WITH METAL FUEL LINE CONNECTORS. THE REASON WAS THAT THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S EQUIPMENT OCCASIONALLY FAILS; AND THE COST TO ME TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS WAS MORE THAN $200. I DECLINED THE PURCHASE. WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DESERT, THE CONNECTOR FAILED AND SPRAYED GASOLINE ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND ON ME. I WAS AFRAID OF FIRE AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE HAULED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I PAID $450 TO TOW THE MOTORCYCLE AND $236.84 TO REPLACE THE FUEL QUICK RELEASE CONNECTORS. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND IS ATTEMPTING TO SELL THE CORRECTION RATHER THAN RECALLING AND REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART. I PAID TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS AFTER THEY FAILED. MY SAFETY WAS ENDANGERED AS A RESULT OF BMW'S ACTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283808
Incident
Sep 8, 2009
Mileage
15,191 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

MCAS1525

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Control Unit DWA Inspection of all parts on stock

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.

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.

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.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: 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. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

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
2005Viewing192153.9
2004401
2003210144.9
2002370138.4
2001250238.3
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.