Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
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.
13
Latest Feb 4, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 BMW R1200C, most frequently naming the suspension, powertrain (other) and body & structure categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 3 in Feb 2012. Most recent month: 3.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 2003 BMW R1200C
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Jul 2003
1
1
Aug 2003
2
3
Sep 2003
2
5
Jan 2004
1
6
Oct 2004
1
7
May 2005
1
8
Aug 2005
1
9
Aug 2009
1
10
Feb 2012
3
13
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Suspension422.2%
Powertrain (other)316.7%
Body & structure211.1%
Other / unspecified211.1%
Steering211.1%
Engine15.6%
Visibility15.6%
Brakes15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BMW IS CONDUCTING A RECALL (04V-028).AN INFORMATION REQUEST(IR)RESPONSE WAS NOT RECEIVED. UPON BMW'S RECEIPT OF THE IR, AND AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH ODI, BMWDETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING CONTAINED WITHIN THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED.FURTHER, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN ALSO RESULT IN A SMALL FUEL LEAK.DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, ADJUST ALL CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS.ALSO ALL FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS WILL BE INSPECTED.IF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE QUICK-DISCONNECT O-RING WILL BE REPLACED.IF DAMAGED, THE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED.OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSLed to recall 04V028000
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
FINAL DRIVE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NO OIL LEAKED BEFORE FAILURE. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *KB *TR
NHTSA ID
10446703
Incident
Jul 19, 2009
Mileage
66,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 2012
I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549. THE LEAK OF OIL CAUSED THE SIDE OF THE TIRE TO BECOME FOULED,AND THE BRAKE WAS HEAVILY COATED AS WELL. I STOPPED AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A NEW SET OF BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED, AS WELL AS THE REAR BEARING AND SEALS. *KB
NHTSA ID
10446616
Incident
Aug 12, 2007
Mileage
29,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 2012
AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FINAL DRIVES IN OUR R1200C'S AND R1200CL'S IS THE DREADED FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. MOST OF US WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS, FIRST NOTICED EITHER A LATERAL WOBBLE OF THE REAR WHEEL, DROPS OF FLUID ON OUR REAR WHEELS, AND/OR FLUID STAINS SPRAYED RADIALLY ON THE REAR TIRE. WELL, I TOOK A 600 MILE JAUNT LAST WEEKEND TO MAKE SURE THE BIKE COULD HANDLE THE NEW TOURING BAGS AND THE T-BAG I BOUGHT. THE TRIP WAS GREAT - NEAR QUINCY, CA. WHEN I GOT HOME, I NOTICED SOME OIL SPOTS ON THE RIGHT REAR BAG, THE HORROR OF HORRORS, RADIAL STRIPES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR TIRE. I LOOKED UP UNDER THE FINAL DRIVE AND WHAT DO I SEE? - YES, A BIG OLD DROP OF OIL! GROAN, AND I'M LEAVING ON SATURDAY FOR SC. *KB
NHTSA ID
10446560
Incident
Jul 2, 2007
Mileage
24,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2009
WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE FUEL STARTING SPRAYING FROM A FUEL LINE DISCONNECT FITTING. THE MALE PORTION BROKE. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND NOTICED FUEL JUST GUSHING OUT OF ONE OF THE SIDE PANELS AND SPLASHING ON THE EXHAUST. MY ENTIRE TANK (APROX 2 GALLONS) EMPTIED IN A MATTER OF 1-2 MINUTES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BUT FROM RESEARCH ON ONLINE FORUMS WWW.CHROMEHEADS.COM IT IS VERY COMMON. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE. THE FUEL WAS DRIPPING DIRECTLY ONTO MY HOT EXHAUST PIPES, LEGS AND BOOTS. IF THE FUEL HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME SERIOUS INJURY. BMW NOW SELLS METAL QUICK CONNECTS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND ALL THESE PLASTIC QUICK CONNECTS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH METAL ONES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10281360
Incident
Aug 21, 2009
Mileage
20,624 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 23, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
TRAVELING HOME ON TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. I HAD TRAVELED 40 MILES FROM MY STARTING POINT PRIOR TO EVENT. HEARD A LOUD POP AND AIR ESCAPING FROM REAR TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE MOTORCYCLE MOVED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND FLIPPED. I TRIED TO CONTROL BUT THE BIKE FLIPPED ME OFF AND I SUSTAINED INJURIES. I TALKED WITH THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND NO HOLES IN THE TIRE ALTHOUGH FELT THE VALVE STEM FAILED DUE TO RUBBER FAILURE. THIS MOTORCYCLE IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD HAVE OTHERS FAILED SO EARLY?
NHTSA ID
10133971
Incident
Jul 23, 2005
Mileage
5,530 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 16, 2005
BMW MOTORCYCLE MODEL R1200CLC. THE MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. BMW'S RESPONSE IS NO FAULT FOUND OPPERATING AS DESIGNED.
NHTSA ID
10121033
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Mileage
1 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSteering+1 more
Filed Oct 5, 2004
THE BMW "CRUISER" FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITS A LARGE PROPORTION OF UNITS THAT HAVE A "PULL TO THE RIGHT" ISSUE, IN VARYING DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF WEB SITES THAT SUPPORT THESE VEHICLES ALL REPORT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURING. TO DATE, BMW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I AM CONTACTING YOU AS BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THE MODEL THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT NO FIX WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS HAVE DONE VARIOUS QUICK FIXES, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY BMW. CURRENTLY MY BIKE WITH 6,000 MILES IS SHOWING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR INDICATIVE OF A "PTTR" (PULL TO THE RIGHT) ISSUE. THIS PTTR ALSO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE FATIGUE AMONG SOME RIDERS, ALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. REFER TO WWW.CHROMEHEADS.ORG FOR BOARD DISCUSSION OF THE PTTR ISSUE AMONG OWNERS. THANK YOU, R KARLSTAD. *AK
NHTSA ID
10093620
Incident
Apr 24, 2003
Mileage
100 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 29, 2004
REARVIEW MIRROR DESIGN ON THE BMW R1200 CLC MOTORCYCLE PROVIDES LITTTLE OR NO VIEW TO THE SIDES AND POOR VIEW TO THE REAR.THIS PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY BAD AT NIGHT.*AK
NHTSA ID
10055190
Incident
Jan 27, 2004
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SIB-63-02-01
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM
SIB-16-02-09
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES, EPC DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY IN THE ILLUSTRATION, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARTS DESCRIPTION. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SB-00-021-07
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
BMW MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING ETHANOL. BMW MOTORRAD HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE USE OF SI ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 10% ETHANOL AND IMPOSES NO WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS. ETHANOL MIXTURES IN PROPORTIONS HIGHER THAN 10% CAN HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE AND CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS THAT COME INTO CONTRACT WITH FUEL. NO WARRANTY CLAIMS WHATSOEVER FOR DAMAGE CAUSED IN THIS WAY WILL BE ACCEPTED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.