RoadVitals

1998 BMW K1200RS

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.
6
Latest Apr 23, 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.
4
Latest Sep 12, 2000
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 BMW K1200RS, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and transmission categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Fuel system466.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
00V266000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Sep 12, 2000
188 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE CYLINDER HEAD CONTAINS TWO SEALING PLUGS COVERING HOLES IN THE AREA NEAR THE SPARK PLUGS. ONE OR BOTH PLUGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY SEATED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SEALING PLUGS COULD LOOSEN OR COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTING POINT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW COOLANT TO ESCAPE, TRAVEL ALONG THE ENGINE COVER, AND CONTACT THE REAR TIRE, REDUCING ITS TRACTION AND AFFECTING THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE. IN ADDITION, THE LOSS OF COOLANT COULD LEAD TO INCREASED ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND POSSIBLE OVERHEATING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEALING PLUGS WITH A STAINLESS STEEL PLUG DESIGN.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
00V264000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Sep 12, 2000
2,368 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A SPRING-LOADED THERMOSTATIC ELEMENT IN THE OIL THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS HELD IN PLACE BY A COVER THAT IS RETAINED BY A SNAP RING. THE SNAP RING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SNAP RING COULD UNSEAT, ALLOWING THE COVER TO LOOSEN OR DETACH, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE ENTIRE OIL VOLUME.
The risk: ENGINE DAMAGE COULD OCCUR IF THE ENGINE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED OFF. IN ADDITION, OIL COULD TRAVEL ALONG THE ENGINE COVER AND ULTIMATELY CONTACT THE REAR TIRE, REDUCING ITS TRACTION AND AFFECTING THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SNAP RING INSTALLATION AND IF THE SNAP RING IS NOT FULLY SEATED, THE COMPLETE OIL PUMP INTERMEDIATE FLANGE WILL BE REPLACED.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
98V258000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Oct 14, 1998
1,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. DURING EXTENDED OPERATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, THE AREA OF THE PUMP MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE FUEL TANK CAN DEFORM, FORMING A GAP BETWEEN THE TANK MOUNTING SURFACE AND THE GASKET, ALLOWING FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE TANK AT THAT AREA.
The risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP-TO-TANK GASKET.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE98047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK LEAK

Opened Aug 27, 1998
Closed Oct 15, 1998

ALLEGED THAT THE FUEL LEAKS AT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 98V258000
SQ97023ClosedInvestigation

REDUCED CLUTCH AND BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS

Opened Nov 14, 1997
Closed Dec 22, 1997

IN AUGUST 1997, BMW CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THREAD CONTAMINATION ON THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS ADJUSTING SCREWS.THIS GREASE CONTAMINATION NEGATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCTITE AND THIS CAN SEGNIFICANTLY REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.DUE TO THIS INVESTIGATION, BMW HAS INCREASED THE POPULATION TO INCLUDE ALL THE 1988 MOTORCYCLES.NO FURTHER ACTION IS NECESARY.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.RECALL NUMBER ASSIGNED IS 97V-134.02.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2012

(NOTE THAT THE INCIDENT DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE REPORTED ARE APPROXIMATE.) WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE TWO ABS WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL FLASHED ALTERNATELY AS THEY NORMALLY DO UPON ENGINE START-UP, BUT DID NOT STOP FLASHING ONCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNDERWAY AS THEY NORMALLY SHOULD DO, WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE SERVICED, A TECHNICIAN RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED ABS MODULATOR. I WAS QUOTED $2200 FOR A REPLACEMENT ABS MODULATOR AND ABOUT $2300 IN LABOR FOR THE REPAIR, TOGETHER TOTALING THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT VALUE OF THE MOTORCYCLE! VIA HARD APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES I FOUND THAT I COULD LOCK EITHER THE FRONT OR BACK WHEEL, THUS CONFIRMING THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. SINCE THE ONSET OF THE ABS FAILURE I'VE BEEN RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE BUT I'M MINDFUL THAT THE BRAKES NO LONGER HAVE THE ANTILOCK FUNCTION. SEVERAL BMW MOTORCYCLE-RELATED ONLINE FORUMS REPORT INSTANCES OF ABS MODULATOR FAILURES OCCURRING ON THE SAME MODEL AND ON DIFFERENT MODELS OF BMW MOTORCYCLES. I'M FILING THIS REPORT BECAUSE APPARENTLY MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND BECAUSE THE COST TO THE OWNER OF REPAIRING AN IMPORTANT SAFETY-RELATED SYSTEM IS UNREASONABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456109
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
52,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2012

RECALL 14401 FROM OCT. 14, 1988. THIS VEHICLE WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2001 UNDER THIS RECALL. IT FAILED AGAIN RECENTLY AND FUEL STARTED LEAKING. THE PARTS TO DO THE REMEDY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE PER MY DEALER. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND RELATED COMPONENTS WITH A STYLE THAT BMW DEVELOPED TO SOLVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MY DEALER CALLED BMW NA SERVICE TWICE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO LONGER SUPPORT FOR SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE SAME REPLY...NO CURRENT RECALL. BMW NA IS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY TO SOLVE A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10455068
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
59,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 15, 2000

VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT REFUSED, AT TIMES TO SHIFT UPWARDS TO HIGHER GEARS. USUALLY THIS OCCURED IN COLDER WEATHER AND AFTER BEING RIDDEN FOR SOME DISTANCE BEFORE A BRIEF PERIOD OF COOLING OCCURRED TRIGGERING THE PROBLEM. WARRANTEE REPLACEMENT WAS DENIED BECAUSE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULDN'T CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN AS I'VE DESCRIBED. CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER OWNERS CONVINCES ME THIS HAS BEEN COMMON AND LIKEWISE DENIED TO THESE OTHER OWNERS. MOMENTARY LOSS OF ATTENTION DURING A STICKING EPISODE COULD PROVE FATAL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT FRAN CRANE ANDREWS WHO DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN SALT LAKE CITY MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH A PROBLEM CAUSING HER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND RECEIVE INJURIES LEADING TO HER DEATH. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT THE COST STATED ABOVE BUT BELIEVE REIMBURSEMENT IS WARRANTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
722727
Incident
Mar 21, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Sep 19, 1998

MOTORCYCLE PARKED IN 90 DEGREE GARARE AFTER RIDE. ONE HALF HOUR LATER GAS PUDDLE 3' IN DIAMETER UNDER BIKE DRIPPING FROM TANK ONTO HOT ENGINE THEN HOT EXHAUST AND GARAGE FILLED WITH VAPORS. NO SMELL OF FUEL WHEN PARKING, SUDDEN FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
780468
Incident
Jul 15, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Aug 22, 1998

MASSIVE LEAKING OF GASOLINE FROM TANK APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO HOT WEATHER AND EXPANSION OF GASKET INTERFACE BETWEEN TANK BLADDER AND FUEL PUMP, REPAIR WORK ON TANK

NHTSA ID
540232
Incident
Jul 13, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Aug 17, 1998

MOTORCYCLE HAD THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACED GAS TANKS DEVELOP LEAKS. ABOUT ONE GALLON PER HOUR. NO ACCIDENT, BUT CLOSE. ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ID
539968
Incident
Jul 19, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

MC650109

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

IT is no longer necessary to place a PMP coded part order to obtain a Repair Enabling code

Pre Delivery

Pre-delivery Intervention Check List.

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.

MC51142327

EQUIPMENT

Leaks have been reported in fork legs. The cause is reported be from oil lubricating film with accompanying dirt/grease ring is incorrectly interpreted to be a leaking fork leg. Investigations have shown that the part is not defective.

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

281898

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

INFORMATION ON NEW CLUTCH PARTS. *YC

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 K1200RS by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003500—
2002180141.5
2001701—
2000411—
1999210—
1998Viewing642—
1997100—

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.