2013 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 2013 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 system333.3%
- Powertrain (other)222.2%
- Driver assistance111.1%
- Electrical111.1%
- Exterior lighting111.1%
- Suspension111.1%
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
The throttle body has plastic pulleys for the throttle flapper cam. These plastic parts fail. My motorcycle lost power in freeway traffic and I nearly was ran over by traffic when this part failed.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V060000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A local dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that they were awaiting parts from the manufacturer vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
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
RIGHT-SIDE SWINGARM PIVOT PIN BOLTS LOOSEN
WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE U-JOINT/DRIVE SHAFT CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. REAR WHEEL SUBSEQUENTLY LOCKED UP. DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE SWING ARM BY THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SMOKING DUE TO THE HEAT CREATED. OVER $3100. IN DAMAGES. THIS IS THE SECOND BMW MOTORCYCLE I'VE OWNED THAT THE SAME CATESTROPHIC FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON. I HAVE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS I'D BE HAPPY TO SHARE.
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
LEFT SIDE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE (INOP. SEVERAL FUNCTIONS-TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE CONTROL, HIGH/LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND INFO.DISPLAY) CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF LOW/HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT SIDE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE (INOP. SEVERAL FUNCTIONS-TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE CONTROL, HIGH/LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND INFO.DISPLAY) CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF LOW/HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT. *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
LEFT SIDE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE (INOP. SEVERAL FUNCTIONS-TURN SIGNAL, CRUISE CONTROL, HIGH/LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND INFO.DISPLAY) CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF LOW/HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WHILE RIDING AT NIGHT. *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
RIGHT-SIDE SWINGARM PIVOT PIN BOLTS LOOSEN
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 .