2011 BMW R 1200 RT Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW R 1200 RT, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system1661.5%
- Electrical27.7%
- Engine27.7%
- Driver assistance27.7%
- Exterior lighting27.7%
- Powertrain (other)13.8%
- Suspension13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
This vehicle was subject to a recall under bulletin 16 0114. The issue was a fuel pump which cracked at flanges which leaked fuel onto the hot engine, which could cause safety issues with fire. My vehicle listed above, had the fuel pump replaced with 12,505 miles on it under the recall. The replacement fuel pump, which is apparently no better than the original that was replaced under recall, cracked again leaking fuel onto the hot motorcycle engine. This happened with 20,300 miles on the vehicle, which is less than 8000 miles later. BMW is refusing to replace under the recall or a warranty the fuel pump which means I am stuck with the bill. I believe that BMW should be replacing a defective part with a new design and better part not an old design faulty part. I would encourage you to issue another recall on the vehicles in question under bulletin 160114 in the interest of motorist safety.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW R1200 RT Motorcycle. The contact stated that while starting the motorcycle, fuel was spraying from the fuel line. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V471000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 37,528.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE COMBINATION ENGINE RUN / START SWITCH DOES NO ENGAGE IN THE RUN POSITION DURING HOT DAYS, THUS NOT ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO START. AFTER COOLING THE SWITCH DOWN WITH AN INSTANT COOLING COMPOUND (IN THIS CASE SUPERFREEZE 2000 FROM LEONARD INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY) THE SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE, BUT THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN. THE DANGER IS THAT IF IT DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL CUT-OFF WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO RESTART IT.
THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH CONTROLS THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ITEMS. THE FOUR FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED FAILURE OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TWICE, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TWICE, THE HORN ONCE, AND CRUISE CONTROL ONCE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE CABLE BELL CRANKS/CAMS CRACK DUE TO POOR QUALITY PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS CAUSES MOTORCYCLE TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AS THE HAND THROTTLE NO LONGER WORKS AND ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE RPM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC, TURNING THRU TRAFFIC, OR TRAVELING ON A HIGH SPEED ROADWAY WITH NO AREA TO PULL OFF. THESE CRACKS, (AND IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS), WERE DISCOVERED BY SERVICE PERSONNEL DURING SERVICE WORK.
THE COMBINATION ENGINE RUN / START SWITCH DOES NO ENGAGE IN THE RUN POSITION DURING HOT DAYS, THUS NOT ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO START. AFTER COOLING THE SWITCH DOWN WITH AN INSTANT COOLING COMPOUND (IN THIS CASE SUPERFREEZE 2000 FROM LEONARD INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY) THE SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE, BUT THEN DISCONNECT AGAIN. THE DANGER IS THAT IF IT DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL CUT-OFF WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO RESTART IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE CABLE BELL CRANKS/CAMS CRACK DUE TO POOR QUALITY PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS CAUSES MOTORCYCLE TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AS THE HAND THROTTLE NO LONGER WORKS AND ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE RPM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS FAILURE CAN OCCUR WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC, TURNING THRU TRAFFIC, OR TRAVELING ON A HIGH SPEED ROADWAY WITH NO AREA TO PULL OFF. THESE CRACKS, (AND IMPENDING FAILURE OF THE PARTS), WERE DISCOVERED BY SERVICE PERSONNEL DURING SERVICE WORK.
THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH CONTROLS THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ITEMS. THE FOUR FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED FAILURE OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TWICE, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TWICE, THE HORN ONCE, AND CRUISE CONTROL ONCE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TENGO PROBLEMAS CON EL FUEL PUMP LIQUEA MUCHO Y TAMBIEN CON EL ENCENDIDO LOS CALIPERS SE ATORAN
THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES. THE LEFT COMBINATION SWITCH CONTROLS THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER ITEMS. THE FOUR FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED FAILURE OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH TWICE, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TWICE, THE HORN ONCE, AND CRUISE CONTROL ONCE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SYMPTOM. REAR OF MOTORCYCLE WEAVES WHEN RIDING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND IN TURNS. REAR WHEEL HAD APPROXIMATELY 3MM PLAY WHEN HOLDING WHEEL AT 12 AND 6 O'CLOCK AND TWISTING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE. ANALYSIS. BRAKE CARRIER ON FINAL DRIVE HAS LATERAL PLAY. REMOVED BRAKE CARRIER, SLID OFF FINAL DRIVE BY HAND. FINAL DRIVE NEEDS REPLACED. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI 10439549 AND BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP 12001. BMW PARALEVER. RESOLUTION. DEALER REPLACED FINAL DRIVE BMW PART NUMBER 33117726895, SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL 75 W90, AND ROTOR BOLTS BMW PART NUMBER 33177709205. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TENGO PROBLEMAS CON EL FUEL PUMP LIQUEA MUCHO Y TAMBIEN CON EL ENCENDIDO LOS CALIPERS SE ATORAN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .