Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Oct 10, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
31%
of 51 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 BMW R 1200 Gs submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming powertrain
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 10, 2014
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
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 4, 2014
I WAS REPLACING MY REAR BRAKE ROTOR. THE ROTOR IS BOLTED TO A PIECE CALLED A FLANGE (PART NUMBER 33117722831) USING 5 BOLTS. I FOUND THAT EACH OF THE 5 BOLT HOLES IN THE FLANGE ARE CRACKED. IF THIS PART WERE TO COME APART WHILE RIDING I THINK IT WOULD CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND SKID OR POSSIBLY WORSE. THE FLANGE (PART NUMBER 33117722831) IS ALSO PART OF THE POWER TRAIN AND REAR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM (ALSO KNOWN AS THE FINAL DRIVE SYSTEM) FOR THE BMW R1200GS MOTORCYCLE. THE BMW MUST KNOW THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE PART. SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR "BMW R1200GS FLANGE CRACK" RETURNS MANY PAGES OF INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. HERE IS A GOOD SUMMARY: HTTP://WWW.MTS1200.INFO/MOTORCYCLEINFO/INDEXE65D.HTML?FA=CONTENTGENERIC.NKYQIUKEVRYEUZUT&PAGEID=360814. *TR
NHTSA ID
10596090
Incident
Jun 3, 2014
Mileage
32,390 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 27, 2013
REAR WHEEL/BRAKE DISK DRIVE FLANGE HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS, COULD HAVE CAUSED REAR WHEEL OR BRAKE ROTOR TO SEPARATE FROM MOTORCYCLE. BMW KNOWS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE REPLACEMENT PART BMW # 33117722831 HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REDESIGNED AND MADE FROM STEEL NOW, THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, IT COULD EASILY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ID
10522135
Incident
Jun 27, 2013
Mileage
42,398 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED MAINTENANCE WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE WAS SEVERELY WORN. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LATER REPAIRED. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED DURING THE REPAIR DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE OIL LEAK FROM THE REAR WHEEL. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS ALSO DAMAGED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 06/10/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FINAL DRIVE SEAL BLEW WHILE DRIVING. THE REAR TIRE WAS COVERED IN OIL. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE PAD HAD TO BE REPLACE DUE TO OIL DAMAGE. WHILE REPAIRING THE FINAL DRIVE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOTCHY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
10505324
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
68,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT THE DRIVE-LINE SEAL WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CONCURRENT INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: DP12001 (POWER TRAIN:DRIVE LINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 10/24/12*LJ UPDATED 10/25/12
NHTSA ID
10477315
Incident
Sep 22, 2012
Mileage
10,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 27, 2012
FINAL DRIVE UNIT FAILED AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL
NHTSA ID
10473442
Incident
Aug 19, 2012
Mileage
16,701 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2012
REAR WHEEL MOVED SIDE TO SIDE (BEARING ABOUT TO FAIL). SECOND R1200GS I OWNED WITH SAME SAFETY FAILURE, REPLACED AND SOLD MOTORCYCLE AT SEVERE LOSS AS TWO R1200GS REAR DRIVE FAILURES ON TWO LOW MILEAGE R1200GS. LOSS OF THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10447862
Incident
Oct 16, 2008
Mileage
5,300 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported
REAR DRIVE FAILURE WHILE RIDING TWO UP, OIL SOAKED REAR WHEEL, WHEEL WOBBLE. BETWEEN WOBBLE AND OIL CONTROL LOST (AND SLOW SPEED AT THAT POINT). *TR
NHTSA ID
10447859
Incident
Jul 1, 2008
Mileage
6,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 11, 2012
FINAL DRIVE AND DRIVESHAFT FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10447521
Incident
Jul 7, 2010
Mileage
83,772 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2012
FINAL DRIVE ON THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED. THIS IS A TYPICAL FAILURE FOR MANY BMW MOTORCYCLES. THERE WAS MINOR LEAKAGE/SEEPAGE OF FINAL DRIVE OIL BEFORE AND DURING THE FAILURE. NO CRASH RESULTED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10446715
Incident
Jul 30, 2011
Mileage
55,474 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 5, 2010
BMW R1200GS REAL WHEEL FLANGE THE FLANGE IS A BILLET PART THAT CONNECTS THE REAR WHEEL AND THE REAR BRAKE DISC TO THE MOTORCYCLE. WORLD-WIDE THERE ARE REPORTS FROM USERS OF R1200GS MODELS MANUFACTURED IN 2004 AND 2005 ABOUT CRACKS IN THE FLANGE AROUND EITHER THE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE BRAKE DISC OR THE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE REAR WHEEL. SEVERAL INCIDENTS ARE KNOWN WHERE THE REAR BRAKE DISC BROKE OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ON LAST INSPECTION THE FLANGE ON MY MOTORCYCLE HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS AROUND ALL 5 MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE REAR WHEEL BOLTS. BMW DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL PART AND REFUSES REPLACEMENT, CLAIMING THAT IN ALL INCIDENTS THE BOLTS MUST HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH TOO HIGH TORQUE. THE REAR WHEEL HAS ALWAYS BEEN MOUNTED BY MYSELF, AND ALWAYS USING A TORQUE WRENCH WITH THE CORRECT SETTING. THE ORIGINAL PARTS ONE THESE MOTORCYCLES APPARENTLY WERE BMW PART-NUMBER 33117694910; AS REPLACEMENT BMW NOW SELLS A RE-DESIGNED PART WITH THE NEW PART-NUMBER 33117699631. THE DANGER FOR A CRASH SHOULD THE REAR WHEEL OR THE REAR BRAKE DISC BREAK OFF WHILE IN MOTION ARE OBVIOUS. BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, DOESN'T OFFER FREE REPLACEMENTS AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NOT SENT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN OR ANY OTHER KIND OF WARNING TO DEALERS OR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10364218
Incident
Aug 15, 2010
Mileage
32,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2009
NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE TRANSMISSION JUNCTURE BEING BLOWN BACK ONTO REAR TIRE ON MY 2005 BMW MOTORCYCLE. *YT
NHTSA ID
10290767
Incident
Jul 15, 2009
Mileage
11,800 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2008
2005 BMW 1200 GS MOTORCYCLE HAD A DEFECTIVE PART. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR WHEEL FINAL DRIVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RIDING THE BIKE, IT SLID/HOPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES ON FAST CURVES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR FLANGE IN THE FINAL DRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10242609
Incident
May 3, 2008
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 15, 2007
ON MY BMW R1200GS, I NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE SEAL WAS ONLY AN INDICATION THAT THE DRIVE WAS FAILING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THIS AND HAS REPLACED THE FINAL DRIVE UNDER WARRANTY. THERE AR RUMORS OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR R1200 SERIES BMWS. THE OLD FINAL DRIVE IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10209020
Incident
Oct 4, 2007
Mileage
39,400 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2007
MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT ON RUGGED MOUNTAIN ROADWAY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. SHIFTING REQUIRED STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND/OR DOUBLE CLUTCHING. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DRIVE SPLINE WITHOUT LUBRICATION. HAD THIS OCCURRED IN A BUSY AREA, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FATAL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10208077
Incident
Jul 5, 2006
Mileage
14,000 mi
Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BECAME FLAT. WHEN HE REMOVED THE WHEEL, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A LOOSE BEARING CAUSED THE FAILURE. HE STATED THAT BMW DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT IS HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED WITH NEW BEARINGS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,500. THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPLACED BEARINGS AND SEALS @ 17,670 AND THE SECOND DEALER REPLACED COMPLETE FINAL DRIVE AND COVER @ 18,699. THE DEALER STATED REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AND REMOVE TAIL LIGHT. UPDATED 11/21/07 *TR
NHTSA ID
10197057
Incident
Jul 1, 2007
Mileage
17,500 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own