RoadVitals

2013 BMW R 1200 Gs Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
11
Latest Oct 29, 2024
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 7, 2013

What this page shows

Our database holds 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW R 1200 Gs. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–11 of 11

Fuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2024

Riding at freeway speeds fuel system is spilling out fuel down both sides of the engine. I smelled strong fuel smell while riding but was unable to stop until almost home. At home inspected bike and discovered leak even while at idle but have not dug in to identify exact leak location. having it trailered into BWM repair facility when appointment available. I do not see a recall for my make year and model of 1200 GS but it does fall in the years listed as a concern?

NHTSA ID
11622437
Incident
Oct 26, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the motorcycle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the motorcycle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact started to slowly exit the highway, the drive shaft, rear drive, and swing arm failed and fractured apart with the rear wheel locking up. Due to the failure, the contact had the motorcycle towed to a dealer where the failure was confirmed. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ID
11603471
Incident
Jul 9, 2024
Mileage
46,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the fuel pump failed and leaked fuel all over the motorcycle and onto the contact. The contact was able pull the motorcycle off the highway and with the assistance of his son; the motorcycle was loaded onto a trailer and taken to a dealer. The dealer was notified about the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that he would be notified when parts became available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 33,169. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that the part needed was finally available and was replaced.

NHTSA ID
11455569
Incident
Feb 9, 2022
Mileage
33,169 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 26, 2020

LEAKS DETECTED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FORKS/SUSPENSION. REQUIRES REPLACING THE FORK SEALS AND REBUILDING THE FORKS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
11331078
Incident
Jun 16, 2020
Mileage
26,021 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2020

DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT A "FLOATING SHAFT" EXISTS IN THE GEARBOX, MEANING THE SHAFT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AXIALLY, AS OPPOSED TO RADIALLY. THIS IS TYPICALLY CAUSED BY INCORRECT TORQUE PROCEDURES OR A DESIGN FLAW TO THE NUT HOLDING THE CLUTCH BASKET ON THE SHAFT. THE NUT WOULD LOOSEN, AND CAUSES THE SHAFT TO START MOVING BACK AND FORTH. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY AS IT CAN LOCK THE REAR WHEEL DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. THE "FLOATING SHAFT" ISSUE IS DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE RIDER/OWNER. APPARENTLY, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER MODELS OF BMW MOTORCYCLES BELOW 30K MILES, AND BMW MOTORRAD USA ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVE NOT PROVIDED A NEW GEARBOX FOR OTHER OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11331074
Incident
Jun 25, 2020
Mileage
26,021 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R1200 GS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A FUEL STATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF ESCONDIDO (LOCATED AT 499 N HALE AVE, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029, (760) 520-1288) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *LN*JB*CW*JB

NHTSA ID
11269361
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R 1200 GS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE IT TO A BMW DEALER. BMW MOTORCYCLES OF UTAH (339 9000 S, SANDY, UT 84070, (801) 618-2700) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 1-15753758911. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID
11242615
Incident
Aug 2, 2019
Mileage
66,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 1, 2019

MY 2013 BMW R1200GS HAD A FRAME FAILURE WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION/HANDLE BARS ARE MOUNTED TO. FRAME TORE AT THE TRIPLE TREE MOUNT ON A BIKE USED AS A COMMUTER FOR 54K. THE BIKE WAS AT IDLE ON THE DRIVEWAY AND FELL. THE ONLY POINT OF CONTACT WAS THE ENGINE GUARD. THE FORCE OF ME PICKING UP THE BIKE BY THE HANDLE BARS WAS THE LAST AMOUNT NEEDED TO TEAR THE ALREADY FATIGUED FRAME. I WAS FORTUNATE IT DID FALL THAT DAY, HAD IT NOT AND I RODE IT I WOULDN'T BE HEAR TODAY TO WRITE THIS. *JS

NHTSA ID
11217318
Incident
Apr 21, 2019
Mileage
54,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 31, 2018

THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND RECORDS A SPEED 20 MPH BELOW ACTUAL SPEED. THIS LED TO BOTH A SAFETY RISK DUE TO EXCESSIVE SPEED AND AN INABILITY TO ACCURATELY COMPLY WITH THE SPEED LIMIT. EXCESSIVE SPEED IS THE #1 CAUSE OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS. I NEARLY EXPERIENCE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO INACCURATE SPEEDOMETER READING ON A CURVY ROAD. I CALLED BMW AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAFETY RISK

NHTSA ID
11099088
Incident
May 27, 2018
Mileage
15,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 12, 2014

IN JUNE 2014 MY MOTORCYCLE WOULDN'T START. I TOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD INFORMED ME THAT MY GASOLINE WAS STALE. I HAD NOT RIDDEN THE MOTORCYCLE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PURCHASE FUEL STABILIZER IF I DO NOT INTEND TO RIDE IT REGULARLY. I PURCHASED THE FUEL STABILIZER AND THEN RODE THE BIKE MONTHLY FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. LAST WEEKEND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I TOWED THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY AGAIN CLAIMED THE BIKE HAD STALE GASOLINE. THEY CLAIMED THAT SINCE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP LAST TIME, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT AGAIN AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS TIME, I HAD RIDDEN MY BIKE MORE OFTEN AND HAD USED FUEL STABILIZERS AND THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE GASOLINE TO BE STALE. MORE LIKELY THERE IS SOME SORT OF DEFECT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY ARE CLAIMING ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSING TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654615
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
1,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 7, 2013

AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF RIDING THE BIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS MOTORCYCLE'S FUEL SYSTEM STARTS TO HAVE TROUBLE IDLING. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER THE ENGINE IS HOT THE BIKE SEEMS HAVE PROBLEMS IDLING PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE SLOWING FOR LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, THE BIKE HAS A TENANCY TO STALL. THIS MOTORCYCLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHEN THE MOTOR IS WARM AND THE WHILE BREAKING AFTER DOWN-SHIFTING QUICKLY. IT HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THE BIKE STALLS IN BOTH COLD WEATHER AND IN HOT WEATHER. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO STALL MORE IN HOT WEATHER. NORMALLY, THE BIKE STALLS WHILE DECELERATING AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. THE BIKE HAS 9000 MILES ON IT NOW. STALLS PUT THE RIDER AT RISK OF BEING RUN OVER FROM BEHIND AT TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. HERE IS A VIDEO OF THE LAST TIME I HAD IT HAPPENED: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HIT1MG351LI&FEATURE=C4-OVERVIEW&LIST=UUP6Q_DHA0JUK5WA9VRDY5ZW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555171
Incident
Dec 3, 2012
Mileage
14 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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .