RoadVitals

2015 BMW R 1200 Gs Adventure

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.
4
Latest May 10, 2021
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 Mar 21, 2018
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.
0
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 BMW R 1200 Gs Adventure, most frequently naming the brakes category. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 29 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

  • Brakes4100.0%

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
18E016000

EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY

Mar 21, 2018
1,571 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8546224, sold for use on model year 2014-2018 S1000R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8551929, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 S1000XR motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8554726, sold for use on model year 2013-2018 R1200GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8554727 sold for use on model year 2014-2018 R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8556927, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200RS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8559548, sold for use on model year 2017-2018 R1200GS motorcycles and Windscreen model number 8561755, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F800GS motorcycles. These windscreens have extra tinting on them that may reduce the rider's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
The risk: The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17E052000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Aug 21, 2017
9,000 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain accessory turn signals manufactured for 2006-2017 R1200GS, 2007-2008 and 2010-2017 R1200GS Adventure, 2017 F700GS and F800GS, 2013-2017 F800GT, 2015-2016 F800R, 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure, 2014-2016 S1000R, 2015-2017 R1200R, 2016-2017 R1200RS, and 2010-2017 S1000RR motorcycles. As designed, these accessory turn signals may be insufficiently visible to other drivers, and, as such, fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If other drivers cannot easily see the turn signals, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V481000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 28, 2017
47,775 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed May 10, 2021

WHEN YOU APPLY THE REAR BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS MUSHY TO THE POINT IT WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11416036
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
8,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 18, 2021

REAR BRAKES JUST GO OUT. NO WARNING. I CHECKED A FORUM AND IT IS AN ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE YEARS. NO RECALLS. YOU JUST LOSE YOUR REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY. I NOTICED AFTER A SHORT TRIP THIS WEEKEND. YOU CAN TELL WHEN RIDING OR STILL. HERE IS A BMW FORUM WITH COMPLAINTS. HTTPS://ADVRIDER.COM/F/THREADS/BMW-R1200GS-LC-REAR-BRAKE-FAILURES.1264712/

NHTSA ID
11388750
Incident
Jan 17, 2021
Mileage
2,516 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2020

REAR BRAKE FAILS DUE TO AIR IN THE SYSTEM WHILE RIDING. NO FLUID LEAKS FOOT PEDAL BECOMES SOFT THEN NO BRAKE AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
11343826
Incident
Aug 2, 2020
Mileage
23,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2018

I AM A LONG-TIME MOTORCYCLE OWNER/RIDER (50 YRS) AND HAVE WORKED PROFESSIONALLY AS A MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC.SINCE NEW MY 2015 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE'S REAR BRAKE ACCUMULATES AIR BUBBLES IN THE SYSTEM CAUSING A "SOFT" REAR BRAKE PEDAL REDUCING BRAKING PERFORMANCE. EVERY 1 TO 2,000MILES I HAVE TO BLEED THE REAR BRAKE FLUID TO REMOVE THE AIR BUBBLES AND GET THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAR BRAKE TO OPERATE NORMALLY AGAIN. I NOW HAVE 38,000MI ON THE ODOMETER AND HAVE HAD TO PERFORM THIS BRAKE BLEED PROCEDURE MANY TIMES! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION! I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS CONDITION AND ARE GUESSING AS TO THE CAUSE. MY OPINION IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM THAT IS ALLOWING AIR TO ENTER THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. I SUSPECT THE REAR BRAKE SLAVE CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY.

NHTSA ID
11154924
Incident
Oct 12, 2018
Mileage
38,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

SIB330222

POWER TRAIN; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.

MC000222

SERVICE BRAKES

BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.

MC460521

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE

Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special accessories catalog for the GS models.

MC660118

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down

MC620117

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Service distance cannot be set in miles in ISTA for TFT-type instrument clusters

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 R 1200 Gs Adventure by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018100—
2017740—
2016040—
2015Viewing440—
2014250—
2013020—
2012320—
2011040—
2010240—
2009740—
2008188253.6
2007236254.4
2006552—
2005022—

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.