2009 BMW R 1200 R

Fuel gauge stopped responding, leading to running out of fuel while moving. This is a common failure on many bike models from BMW from 2005-2013. I have had this happen 4 times so far, and each time the fuel level measuring strip in the fuel tank was replaced. This repair is costly, and has proven it is at best a temporary solution. This is an unsafe condition since loss of engine power from running out of fuel can be quite dangerous on a motorcycle.

NHTSA ID

11621778

Incident

Jul 28, 2024

The fuel strip located inside the tank which sends an electronic signal to the dash gauge indicating the amount of fuel available until the low fuel warning light comes on malfunctions and eventually fails. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. On three separate occasions (two on 55 mph + roads with two + lanes of traffic and once on a local 35 mph one lane road) I was driving and the fuel level indicated a sufficient amount to travel to my destination when the tank abruptly ran dry with no warning and I had to coast to the side of the road stranded and had to call for roadside assistance. The problem occurred within two to three years of the vehicle being in service. The factory warranty covers 3 years/3600 miles. To the best of my knowledge, the problem first occurred in 2011 or 2012. I am not sure if the first occurrence was covered under the original manufacturers factory warranty but I would not pay out of pocket cost to have the fuel strip replaced. After many complaints and incidences from other owners the manufacturer notified owners by mail that the fuel strip warranty was extended to 12 years from original date of sale. By extending the warranty terms I would hope that the manufacturer planned to give its engineers time to come up with a permanent fix for this ongoing problem, but chose to only keep replacing the defective part with another sure to fail part continuing in a cycle of frustration and endangering rider safety. My vehicle is now in the 13th year of service and is no longer covered by the extended warranty. I voiced my concerns to the BMW Customer Service representatives and they acknowledge the warranty has now expired with no permanent fix or resolve to the original problem. This malfunction has been well documented at BMW motorcycle dealers both in the US and worldwide. My concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Check the service records at any BMW motorcycle dealer and you will find many replaced fuel strips under the warranty.

NHTSA ID

11433912

Incident

Apr 25, 2012

FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FLANGE CRACKED, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BIKE AND ONTO HOT COMPONENTS WHILE RIDING. THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A BMW RECALL - BUT APPARENTLY THE "INSPECT AND REINFORCE" SOLUTION ISN'T REALLY ADEQUATE LONG-TERM. THIS PUMP HAD BEEN "INSPECTED AND REINFORCED" - AND THE FLANGE STILL CRACKED AND CAUSED A DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY INJURY OR WORSE.

NHTSA ID

11267107

Incident

Sep 27, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT I HAD 40 MILES LEFT AND WAS ON RESERVE AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TWO MILES LATER, ON THE WAY TO STOP FOR GAS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SPUTTERED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AND DIED. I HAD NO POWER AND MANAGED TO SAFELY COAST THROUGH TRAFFIC TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SLOSH THE TANK BACK AND FORTH AND START THE ENGINE AGAIN AND MADE IT SAFELY TO A GAS STATION 4 MILES DOWN THE ROAD WHERE I FILLED UP A BONE DRY TANK STILL TELLING ME I HAD 38 MILES LEFT ON THE TANK. THIS WAS THE FIRST STRIP TO MY KNOWLEDGE ON THIS BIKE THAT FAILED. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR $300 BY BMW. THE SECOND ONE FAILED IN A SIMILAR FASHION, EXCEPT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THE SHOULDER I CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. SEE ODI NUMBER : 10498389 FILED AFTER THAT EPISODE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10499882

Incident

Dec 8, 2012

Mileage

15,000 mi

FUEL STRIP (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR) FAILS RENDERING A FALSE "EMPTY" READING ON MY FUEL GAUGE. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR STRIP THAT HAS BEEN USED IN VARIOUS BMW "R" MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10457663

Incident

May 4, 2012

Mileage

6,009 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.

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.

One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control units cannot be found when reading out with ISTA. 2. Control units initially communicate after connecting to the vehicle, but communication later stops.

BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly secured in the holder by the threaded fasteners.