2005 BMW R 1200 Gs

ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10485452,10433589,10467136,10420291,10503806, 10532145,10523763,10523626,10425514,10354202,10437222,10444742, 10454834,10532172,10487624,10435984,10452476, 10485337

Owners of model year (MY) 2005-2008 R-Series motorcycles report substantial, high pressure fuel loss occurring when the fuel pump is energized.Many times they first become aware of the problem when fuel soaks their pant legs or is puddled under their parked motorcycle.The Office of Defects investigation (ODI) has obtained an owner video illustrating the issue.This video, and other material, may be found in the public file at www.SaferCar.gov. ODI has learned that the subject fuel leak is due to cracks in the fuel outlet quick connector located on the in-tank fuel pump housing.While some owners, reluctant to incur the expense to replace the fuel pump assembly, have undertaken frequently ineffective do-it-yourself repairs primarily involving adhesive patches, two other remedies are available.The first, found in the after-market, is an aluminum clamp designed to reinforce the fuel outlet threaded flange.The second is BMW?s own remedy, appearing in early 2011, following introduction of the aftermarket clamp.It, too, involves a metal collar designed to support the fuel outlet threaded flange.In January 2004 BMW conducted safety recall 04V028 involving 2000 to 2004 Model Year K and R Series motorcycles for a pressurized fuel leak.In this case an O-ring in a fuel line quick connector could become damaged and BMW identified the potential for fire as a consequence of this failure.In its recall, influenced by an ODI investigation (PE03-054), BMW judged the fire risk to be low and the fuel loss to be insignificant -- occurring most often during cold starts -- resulting most often from improper servicing of the fuel line quick connector by its dealers. All of the complaints and warranty claims referenced in this resume involve verified fuel leaks rather than owners simply expressing a concern that a leak may develop in their subject motorcycle. With summer approaching and seasonal motorcycle usage increasing, ODI has upgraded PE12-036 to EA13-006 to further evaluate this issue, monitor fuel leak frequency, and determine the risk associated with the alleged fuel leaks.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers: 540232, 765847, 10074376, 10159252, 10236289, 10339245, 10356156, 10417320, 10425962, 10430734, 10430822, 10432269, 10433589, 10433733, 10436885, 10437222, 10442023, 10443840, 10444670, 10444742, 10444876, 10445888, 10445954, 10448104, 10448104, 10448325, 10448592, 10449393, 10451907, 10452476, 10453738, 10460566, 10463408, 10463946, 10467136, 10470251, 10471518, 10471642, 10474390, 10475150, 10474390, 10475150, 10480052, 10480834, 10485274, 10485276, 10485292, 10485337, 10485348, 10485351, 10485376, 10485434, 10485452, 10485783, 10485789, 10485796, 10485807, 10485882, 10487501, 10487624, 10488652, 10488899, 10490417, 10490868, 10491835, 10492118, 10492342, 10492961, 10493015, 10493320, 10494927, 10494899, 10495307, 10496593, 10503488, 10503806, 10504130, 10504324, 10508135, 10508150

UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED 4 OF THE 5 WHEEL MOUNTING HOLES IN THE ALUMINUM REAR WHEEL FLANGE ARE CRACKED. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I'VE STOPPED RIDING UNTIL IT IS FIXED BECAUSE IT COULD BREAK CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324091

Incident

Apr 17, 2020

Mileage

12,078 mi

AFTER NOTICING A SMALL AMOUNT OF EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT IN THE REAR WHEEL WHEN RIDING THROUGH TURNS, I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE AREA AND FOUND CRACKS IN THE ALUMINUM REAR WHEEL FLANGE AT THE WHEEL MOUNTING HOLES. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A RECALLED PART UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 15V-141. THE RECALL INSTRUCTS REPLACING THE ALUMINUM FLANGE WITH A NEW STEEL FLANGE. FURTHERMORE, ASSOCIATED SERVICE BULLETINS 3300115(007) AND 3300115(007)R3 DISPLAY IMAGES OF THE RECALLED ALUMINUM FLANGE FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION AND INSTRUCTS DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE ALUMINUM FLANGE WITH A NEW STEEL ONE, EVEN IF NO CRACKS ARE PRESENT. MY FLANGE DOES MATCH THE IMAGES IDENTIFYING IT AS THE ALUMINUM FLANGE IN QUESTION. ALSO, TO BE THOROUGH, I PLACED A MAGNET ON THE FLANGE, AND IT DID NOT STICK. IT WOULD HAVE STUCK TO A STEEL FLANGE. ACCORDING TO THE DETAILS OF THE RECALL ON THE NHTSA SITE, THE RECALL DOES COVER THE YEAR AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE, BUT, WHEN I RESEARCH MY VIN, THE RECALL DOES NOT SHOW UP.

NHTSA ID

11322263

Incident

Apr 16, 2020

Mileage

12,078 mi

LEAKING FUEL FLANGED, THE MATERIAL IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND PRONE TO BREAKING THAT CAN CAUSE FUEL TO LEAK TO THE ENGINE THEN IGNITING THE FUEL THAT WILL START ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11315742

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

16,002 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE AND SPRAYED ONTO THE RIDERS LEG AND PARTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM) ALTHOUGH THE MOTORCYCLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ID

11144510

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

24,000 mi

ABS PUMP FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11001223

Incident

May 16, 2017

Mileage

59,000 mi

I EXPERIENCED A 100% NO BRAKES SITUATION COMING INTO A SLOW SPEED 90 DEGREE TURN ON A BACK ROAD. LUCKILY I HADN'T BEEN GOING TO FAST AND WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT AND SCRUB A LITTLE SPEED BUT FORCED WITH ONLY ENGINE BRAKING AND A VERY OLD ASPHALT ROAD COVERED IN GRAVEL I HAD TO LAY IT DOWN TO STOP FROM GOING INTO A 60FT+ RAVINE. I'VE PUT 250-300K OF STREET RIDING UNDER MY BUTT AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE LAID A BIKE DOWN. I DID HURT MY LEFT LEG AND I HAVE A HUGE BRUISE THERE NOW AND MY CRASH BARS PREVENTED ANY MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE BIKE BUT IT DID STILL CAUSE ABOUT $500 IN DAMAGES. I'M WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE 05-06 SERVO BIKES HAVE HAD WITH BRAKE FAILURE BUT I'VE ALWAYS READ THAT THE RESIDUAL BRAKES ARE STILL THERE IF THE SERVOS FAIL. I CAN ATTEST I HAD ZERO BRAKES! LEVER WENT TO THE BARS AND REAR JUST FELL DOWN AND HAD NOTHING. I'VE ACTUALLY PRACTICE A COUPLE PANIC STOPS WITH THE IGNITION OFF TO EXPERIENCE WHAT JUST THE RESIDUAL BRAKE FEEL LIKE AND I WAS ABLE STOP FAIRLY NORMAL WITH JUST SOME INCREASE EFFORT. THIS WAS NOT THAT! AFTER THE CRASH I TURNED OFF THE BIKE AND ANOTHER RIDER HELPED ME PICK IT UP. UPON TURNING IT BACK ON I STILL HAD ZERO BRAKES THE LEVER JUST WENT TO THE BARS AND REAR HAD NOTHING. WHEN I TURNED THE BIKE BACK ON I HAD THE ABS AND BRAKE FAILURE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE SERVO NEVER KICKED ON TO DO ITS BIT CYCLE. SO ME AND THE OTHER GUY SAT THERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND ABOUT 2 MINUTES OR SO WENT BY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SERVOS KICKED ON AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF AND MY BRAKES WHERE BACK TO NORMAL!!! I TURNED THE BIKE OFF AND NOW I HAD RESIDUAL BRAKES AGAIN! THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE VERY WELL KILLED ME IF IT HAPPENED IN MULTIPLE AREAS EARLIER IN THE RIDE. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10717109

Incident

May 17, 2015

Mileage

51,010 mi

UPON REPLACING REAR TIRE AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP, NOTICED A CRACKED REAR WHEEL FLANGE. THESE CRACKS APPEARED ON 4 OF 5 ATTACHMENT POINTS WHERE THE FLANGE BOLTS ONTO THE REAR DRIVE. THIS IS A PART THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL TO THE MOTORCYCLE. SPOKE TO BMW NA AND THEY DO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AS INHERENT DEFECT, AND HAVE NOT RECALLED DESPITE HAVING REDESIGNED THE REPLACEMENT PART SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS (IMPLIED ADMISSION BY BMW OF THE INHERENT DEFECT DUE TO REDESIGN). THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO AN INHERENT DEFECT OF SAFETY CRITICAL PART - THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE. FAILURE OF THIS PART WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED MAY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FUNCTION, LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, SUDDEN SEIZURE OF REAR WHEEL, AND/OR POSSIBLE LOSS OF REAR WHEEL. THIS MAY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10643951

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR WHEEL FLANGE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED WHEEL FLANGE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID

10608526

Incident

Jul 2, 2014

Mileage

47,000 mi

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.

Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance schedule is not limited to vehicles affected by the SI 33 02 22 (SERVICE ACTION: Swingarm Drain retrofit and Driveshaft Check), but is valid for all K5x models - including retroactively. In case of retroactive validity (model year 2023 and older), affected customers will be informed about the change. This will be in the form of a direct-to-customer letter with a description of the new maintenance schedule, specific owner’s manual insert, and consumer warranty book insert. 1. For vehicles affected by SI 33 02 22 (SERVICE ACTION: Swingarm Drain retrofit and Driveshaft Check), this service action must be performed first. All conditions described in this bulletin apply after the open Service Action has been completed. No additional communication is required for K5x models model year 2024 and onwards. Those models have the new maintenance schedule in their owner’s manual.

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.

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.

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.

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