RoadVitals

2019 BMW R 1250 Gs Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
15
Latest Jan 18, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 BMW R 1250 Gs, 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

  • Brakes1263.2%
  • Engine315.8%
  • Electrical210.5%
  • Driver assistance15.3%
  • Powertrain (other)15.3%

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Rear brake system malfunctions. Malfunctioning rear brake increases braking distance which can lead to a collision. The BMW dealer and customer service have confirmed problem. The motorcycle has be serviced for this four times at the BMW repair shop. The problem appears about every 3000 miles.

NHTSA ID 11636728 · filed Jan 18, 2025

Ever since purchased new in 2019 the rear brake goes away after riding. Dealer bleeds to fix and it goes away again after riding. By going away I mean rear brake pedal travel becomes very long with no positive stop when the brake finally works. Very soft feel thru the brake activation. Takes a stomp with my heel to lock the rear. Dealer has bled and even done a tsb procedure given by bmw to correct. Technical Service Bulletin SIB 34 01 21. Same result. No rear after riding a bit. Putting safety at risk is self explanatory. From hours of reading I've found this to be an ongoing problem with liquid cooled gs's up to the 20 or 21 model year when the abs pump was replaced with a unit not causing the issue of putting air in the system. Date listed below is arbitrary. I ride the motorcycle knowing I don't have a rear brake and bmw has yet to address the issue other than ignoring it with updated bleed procedures.

NHTSA ID 11635837 · filed Jan 14, 2025
All 12 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Engine fails to start after shutoff and after engine temperature is hot. Inability to start engine on the road after cutting ignition can increase risk of being hit on the road. The dealer has not been able to reproduce. The vehicle has been inspected by BMW repair shop and had me replace the battery but the problem still persists. Subsequent service appointments have resulted in BMW technicians not being able to reproduce problem. The occurs randomly about 7 times per year. No warning signs.

NHTSA ID 11636732 · filed Jan 18, 2025

During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in the stator. The mechanic issued an immediate "Do not ride, Do not operate" warning. 2019 BMW R1250GSA has 17,000 accident free miles. Many "false" engine management warnings.

NHTSA ID 11528717 · filed Jun 25, 2023

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in the stator. The mechanic issued an immediate "Do not ride, Do not operate" warning. 2019 BMW R1250GSA has 17,000 accident free miles. Many "false" engine management warnings.

NHTSA ID 11528717 · filed Jun 25, 2023

THE MOTORCYCLE FAILS TO START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. I STOP AND TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RESTART, IT WON'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. BMW SAYS THAT CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS FROM RIDERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS WITH JUMPER CABLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE. IT MIGHT NOT RESTART ON THE FREEWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 12,000 MILES. IT HAS NOT RESTARTED 3 TIMES NOW. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 7 WEEKS.

NHTSA ID 11390401 · filed Jan 27, 2021

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a problem w/the CC. I now consider this issue is related to the rear caliper ceasing. 5/30/2022 (RC) Rear caliper ceased without any indications. The (MC) motorcycle, presented w/a power loss otherwise unknowingly to me until later in the ride. Caliper appeared to cease causing heat scorched rear pads, caliper very hot. I smelled brake burn upon slowing down, noticing both power loss and my CC not working. 6/9/2022 Dealership found “no warranty concerns” and nothing wrong w/the MC they could find. I had disputed being charged $222.xx and then implied by both the service manager and BMW Customer Support that I was dragging my brake. This was all after 25 months of ownership and 9K miles of riding. I did offer them to keep the bike and ride it but they did not. August 6th 10K + miles Riding on the interstate, my CC suddenly quit. I stopped later to find that the recently replaced rear brake pads showed heat scorch once again. Still as I submit this all to you, the dealership along w/BMW CS, holds the position that nothing is wrong with the MC and I must have been riding my brake. 9/9/2022 After waiting 3 week more from an inquiry to the GM at the dealership, I received a response to repair my MC but not under warranty. I quote, “I just got the approval today from BMW. They are willing to as a one time customer goodwill cover $500 of the repair as this is not a coverable warranty due to the lack of fault found. The dealership has appeared to stand on their original diagnoses that there is no fault found. Below are similar issues resulting in what many would consider a serious safety concern. https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/overheated-rear-caliper.1524259/ https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/2019-r1250gs-rear-brake-caliper-heat.1526221/ Please see NHTSA Complaint Number:11397766

NHTSA ID 11483882 · filed Sep 11, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE MOTORCYCLE FAILS TO START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. I STOP AND TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RESTART, IT WON'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. BMW SAYS THAT CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS FROM RIDERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS WITH JUMPER CABLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE. IT MIGHT NOT RESTART ON THE FREEWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 12,000 MILES. IT HAS NOT RESTARTED 3 TIMES NOW. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 7 WEEKS.

NHTSA ID 11390401 · filed Jan 27, 2021

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

Data on this page last refreshed .