RoadVitals

2019 BMW R1250 Gs Adventure

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.
4
Latest Feb 26, 2020
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.
4
Latest Jan 18, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 BMW R1250 Gs Adventure, most frequently naming the brakes category. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 34 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes4100.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V011000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:SHAFT:INPUT

Jan 18, 2023
18,534 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
The risk: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
20V476000

SERVICE BRAKES; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Aug 13, 2020
9,392 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
The risk: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
20V166000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Mar 19, 2020
365 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
The risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE20002ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Brake fluid leak at front brake caliper

Opened Apr 1, 2020
Closed Sep 21, 2020

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on April 1st, 2020 to investigate six consumer complaint allegations of brake fluid leaking from the front brake calipers on their 2019-2020 model year (MY) BMW R1250 motorcycles. At the closing date of this investigation, the number of ODI complaints has risen to fourteen.During the investigation, ODI contacted several consumers to validate and confirm their complaints.ODI learned from these conversations that the subject motorcycles were leaving brake fluid puddles on or near the front tires. One consumer forwarded pictures of a subject motorcycle leaking brake fluid on a BMW dealer showroom floor. In response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter, BMW supplied ODI with 139 dealer field reports. Many of them also described leaking brake calipers that failed at 0 to 4 miles shown on the bike odometer. ODI was also able to gather pictures from BMW related to the field reports and they too showed calipers leaking brake fluid. BMW disclosed in the IR response that they switched to a Hayes designed and manufactured front caliper starting with MY 2019 of the subject motorcycles. The previous model years used Brembo manufactured calipers. ODI analyzed warranty claims and production data provided by BMW. ODI found that 1,169 vehicles were repaired for front brake caliper leaks. A total of 838 subject vehicles were repaired before the date of first sale.The motorcycles, found to be leaking and serviced prior to the date of first sale, appeared to be in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 122 for ?Motorcycle Brake Systems?, under Section 5.2.3. The FMVSS requires that ?during all tests and on their completion, there shall be no friction material detachment and no leakage of brake fluid. Discussions between the NHTSA Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance and BMW resulted in the manufacturer recalling MY 2019-2020 R1250 GS, GS Adventure and R1250 RT, 2020 S1000 RR and S1000 XR motorcycles for front brake calipers leaking when parked, failing to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, Motorcycle Brake Systems.As part of the safety recall, BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved design free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 6, 2020.Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.This Preliminary Evaluation has been closed with a voluntary safety recall released by the manufacturer (20V-471).The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11340459, 11319970, 11320627, 11311740, 11319565, 11319858, 11311520, 11308994, 11323486, 11316146, 11319832, 11319554, 11322813, 11308930.

SERVICE BRAKESLed to recall 20V476000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Feb 26, 2020

BOTH OF MY FRONT BRAKE CALIBERS ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER MY FRONT WHEEL. BMW REPLACED BOTH BRAKE CALIBERS AND MY FRONT ENGINE COVER WHICH WAS STAINED FROM THE LEAKING FLUID. THREE WEEKS LATER I NOTICED THE REPLACED FRONT BRAKE CALIBERS ARE AGAIN LEAKING. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE BOTH REPLACED AGAIN FOR THE 2ND TIME. I OBSERVED OTHER BRAND NEW 2020 BMW MOTORCYCLES MODELS GS/GSA/RT AND S1000RR LOCATED ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR OF THE DEALERSHIP ALL HAD LEAKING BRAKE CALIBERS WITH FLUID LEAKED ON THEIR FRONT RIMS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THESE BRAKE CALIBERS FROM THE FACTORY. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ID
11311740
Incident
Jan 3, 2020
Mileage
2,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 2020

FRONT CALIPERS, LH AND RH SIDES, LEAKING FROM PISTONS AND CALIPER CASTING PARTING SURFACE. DEALER HAS REPLACED WITH LIKE NEW. REPLACEMENT UNITS LEAKAGE CONTINUES. WIDE SPREAD ISSUE AMONG THE R1250GS COMMUNITY GOING ON FOR MONTHS. EVEN UNSOLD BIKES ON DEALER FLOORS ARE FOUND LEAKING PRIOR TO SALE. DEALER THEN ARE UNABLE TO SELL UNTIL CORRECT

NHTSA ID
11302651
Incident
Dec 9, 2019
Mileage
4,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 23, 2020

FRONT BRAKE OIL IS LEAKING TWICE. FIRST OLI LEAKING IS AT 600MILES, AND THEY CHANGED THE PARTS, AND YESTERDAY HAPPEND SAME AT 1384 MILES AND IT IS COMMON ISSUE WITH 2019 BMW GS, RT, MODELS . SO I WENT DEALER TO CHANGE ONLY PARTS.AND I FEEL DANGER WHEN I RIDE A MOTORCYCLE WITH FRONT BRAKE OIL LEAKING ISSUE, AND THE DEALER SAID IT IS NOT RECALL ISSUE YET. IT IS LIFE MATTER !!

NHTSA ID
11301282
Incident
Jan 21, 2020
Mileage
1,384 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2020

BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE ON FRONT END OF THIS MODEL. FIRST EVIDENCE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM CALIPER ONTO WHEEL RIM WHILE PARKED. WAS TOLD BY BMW ROADSIDE SERVICE TO NOT RIDE IT SINCE THE BRAKE IS LEAKING. THEY PICKED IT UP ON 12/3/19 AND IT'S STILL AT CINCINNATI BMW AS OF TODAY WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM BMW. HEAD SERVICE ADVISORS FROM BOTH FALCONE BMW OF INDIANAPOLIS AND CINCINNATI BMW HAVE STATED BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE FAILURE AS THERE ARE SERVICE ADVISORIES ON THIS, THE GSA, AND THE RT. YET BMW CONTINUES TO LET THIS MODEL BE RIDDEN AND SOLD WITH A POTENTIAL LETHAL OUTCOME!!! THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BRAKES IS HAYES. THE SERVICE ADVISORS SAID THE MODELS WITH BREMBO BRAKES ARE NOT AFFECTED SO BMW KNOWS EXACTLY WHICH MOTORCYCLES HAVE THESE BRAKES. AT A MINIMUM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE. CERTAINLY A STOP SALE ORDER.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11300025
Incident
Dec 3, 2019
Mileage
800 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MC330423

POWER TRAIN

Driveshaft Maintenance Schedule Change

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

MC160323

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster.

SIB330222

POWER TRAIN; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.

SIB630122

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

LED headlights were temporarily unavailable from the Factory and some R 1250 GS and R 1250 GSAdventure units were built with the halogen headlight in order to ensure safe use.

SIB460123

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Frame and mounting parts

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

BMW R1250 Gs Adventure by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023010—
2022010—
2021020—
2020050—
2019Viewing441—

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.