RoadVitals

2006 BMW R 1200 Gs

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.
9
Latest Sep 3, 2020
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.
10
Latest Aug 10, 2020
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs, most frequently naming the fuel system, other / unspecified and brakes categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 66 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 system660.0%
  • Other / unspecified220.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Suspension110.0%

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

10 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

Aug 10, 2020
16,926 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

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

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Mar 11, 2015
43,426 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.
The risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA13006ClosedEngineering Analysis

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

Opened Jul 12, 2013
Closed Jan 31, 2014

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPLed to recall 13V617000
PE12036ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Fuel Leak - Motorcycle

Opened Nov 16, 2012
Closed Jul 22, 2013

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Sep 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R-1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START OF THE MOTORCYCLE, HE NOTICED THAT FUEL BEGAN TO SPEW OUT OF HIS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT CALLED WAGNER MOTORSPORTS (700 PLANTATION ST, WORCESTER, MA 01605) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO BRING IN THE MOTORCYCLE FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WHICH HE LINKED TO HIS FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE CONTACT WHETHER HIS MOTORCYCLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN TOOL SHOWED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID
11353005
Incident
Aug 26, 2020
Mileage
22,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R 1200 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL CARRIER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FLANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10652059
Incident
Jun 13, 2014
Mileage
40,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Apr 9, 2014

THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY/SWINGARM IS DESCRIBED BY BMW AS "MAINTENANCE FREE," MEANING THAT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE REAR SWING-ARM CANNOT BE CHECKED OR REFILLED. MY MOTORCYCLE HAS DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK FROM SAID ASSEMBLY, AND HAS BEEN SLOWLY LEAKING FOR THE LAST 10,000+ MILES. IF THE OIL LEVEL DROPS LOW ENOUGH, I FEAR THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK WHILE RIDING, RESULTING IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578505
Incident
Feb 17, 2010
Mileage
25,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2013

WITH TURNING ON THE KEY, FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE FUEL LINE ATTACHMENT TO THE FUEL PUMP MOUNT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL SPRAYS OUT OF THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP MOUNT WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON. THE PLASTIC CONNECTION IN THE FUEL LINE HAS CRACKED. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535545
Incident
Aug 12, 2013
Mileage
19,375 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2013

SMELL OF GASOLINE WHILE RIDING. DISCOVERD FUEL LEAK FROM CRACKS IN PLASTIC FLANGE WHERE FUEL LINE ATTACHES TO FUEL TANK. FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE. NEW MODELS HAVE A UPDATED PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508135
Incident
Apr 6, 2013
Mileage
47,400 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2013

AFTER STOPPING AT LOCAL GAS STATION TO FILL UP WITH GAS AS PER NORMAL, NOTICED GAS SMELL, BUT COULD NOT DETECT ANY VISIBLE LEAK. RODE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, RETURNED HOME. AFTER STOPPING ENGINE AND DISMOUNTING, NOTICED MY LEFT PANT-LEG WAS SOAKED IN GASOLINE. AFTER REMOVING SIDE [LEFT] PANEL WAS ABLE TO SEE VISIBLE FUEL LEAK (MORE OF A SPRAY). LEAK ONLY OCCURRED WHEN FUEL PUMP WAS OPERATING. SOURCE OF LEAK WAS THE FEMALE CONNECTOR OF THE FUEL LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493015
Incident
Dec 1, 2012
Mileage
63,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 12, 2012

WHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION MY LEFT PANT LEG WAS SOAKED IN FUEL. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL DISCONNECT FLANGE WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE VEHICLES LEFT EXHAUST PIPE AND IGNITION. MY EXPERIENCE MATCHES THAT OF ODI ID NUMBER : 10428629. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475150
Incident
Sep 11, 2012
Mileage
39,280 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2012

FUEL PUMP FLANGE IS CRACKED, ALLOWING 40PSI OF FUEL PRESSURE TO STREAM OUT OF TANK. GREAT RISK OF FIRE AS FUEL LANDS DIRECTLY ON EXHAUST. THERE WAS ONLY NO FIRE BECAUSE I NOTICED THE LEAD AND SUBSEQUENT PUDDLE OF FUEL BEFORE BIKE/PIPES GOT HOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10474390
Incident
Sep 9, 2012
Mileage
5,500 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.

MC330423

POWER TRAIN

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.

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.

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.

SIB330222

POWER TRAIN

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.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000
2018420
2017340
2016124047.5
2015104048.1
2014145046.9
2013116042.5
2012102045.8
2011740
2010840
2009305051.7
2008329256.7
2007427256.5
2006Viewing9102
2005519254.8
2004430

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.