2005 BMW R1200 GS recalls and problems

The 2005 BMW R1200 GS has 9 recalls and 51 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is fuel system.

How the 2005 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 15 R1200 GS model years — the most of any year.

9recalls

51complaints

3crashes

0fires

3injuries

30,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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9 recalls

Fuel System

Aug 10, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V471000 · 16,926 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy & notes

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Wheels

Mar 11, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V141000 · 43,426 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.

Risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel System

Dec 12, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V617000 · 50,184 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy & notes

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

May 15, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V164000 · 13,200 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, under rapid, repeated, and unusually harsh braking, loss of ABS capability could temporarily occur.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, UNDER RAPID, REPEATED, AND UNUSUALLY HARSH BRAKING, LOSS OF ABS CAPABILITY COULD TEMPORARILY OCCUR.

Risk: Temporary loss of ABS braking could increase the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

TEMPORARY LOSS OF ABS BRAKING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will add a physical restriction, in the form of a banjo bolt with a flow restrictor to the brake line, and on certain models dealers will install new front brake discs of a slightly larger thickness free of charge. The recall began on June 5, 2006, and will be a phased mailing through October 2006. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Apr 24, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V134000 · 9,260 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, if certain procedures are performed that involves removal of the front left brake caliper, the ABS sensor cable can be routed incorrectly and when the caliper is reinstalled, the sensor cable can come into contact and rub against the front brake disc. Overtime, if the chafing becomes severe, it is possible to lose the ABS function.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IF CERTAIN PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMED THAT INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER, THE ABS SENSOR CABLE CAN BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND WHEN THE CALIPER IS REINSTALLED, THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST THE FRONT BRAKE DISC. OVERTIME, IF THE CHAFING BECOMES SEVERE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE THE ABS FUNCTION.

Risk: Loss of ABS function could increase the risk of a crash during certain riding conditions.

Original NHTSA wording

LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH DURING CERTAIN RIDING CONDITIONS.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will attach additional retaining clips free of charge to the ABS sensor cable, which will provide a more secure connection to the wheel carrier. The recall began on June 5, 2006, and will be a phased mailing through October 2006. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Apr 27, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V172000 · 500 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, exposure of the throttle housing to road debris could fall and become caught between the throttle-body and the engine block.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, EXPOSURE OF THE THROTTLE HOUSING TO ROAD DEBRIS COULD FALL AND BECOME CAUGHT BETWEEN THE THROTTLE-BODY AND THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Risk: This could restrict movement of the throttle-cable pulley that, in turn, could affect throttle operation and increase the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD RESTRICT MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE-CABLE PULLEY THAT, IN TURN, COULD AFFECT THROTTLE OPERATION AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will install a cover over the throttle-cable pulley free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2005. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Fuel System

Mar 3, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V082000 · 3,084 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, the defect involves a water leak around the fuel pump that is integrated within the fuel tank. An o-ring seal attached to the pump's electronic housing does not meet specifications and water can bypass this seal and contact the pump electronics.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE DEFECT INVOLVES A WATER LEAK AROUND THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS INTEGRATED WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. AN O-RING SEAL ATTACHED TO THE PUMP'S ELECTRONIC HOUSING DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER CAN BYPASS THIS SEAL AND CONTACT THE PUMP ELECTRONICS.

Risk: Engine stalling, or a failure to start, could occur without prior warning. If stalling were to occur while the motorcycle was being driven, the rider would be unable to maintain speed or accelerate and a crash could occur without prior warning.

Original NHTSA wording

ENGINE STALLING, OR A FAILURE TO START, COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE RIDER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace a sealing ring. If the fuel pump electronic unit is corroded, it will be replaced free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2005. Additional my 2005 R1200 gs motorcycles were added to this recall in December 2005. Owners of my 2005 motorcycles will receive a notification during February 2006 through August 2006. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Dec 6, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V576000 · 485 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, an adapter in the rear brake line connects a rigid section to a flexible section. If the rigid section is not properly engaged in the adapter, it is possible for a leak to develop.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AN ADAPTER IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE CONNECTS A RIGID SECTION TO A FLEXIBLE SECTION. IF THE RIGID SECTION IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED IN THE ADAPTER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A LEAK TO DEVELOP.

Risk: Brake fluid loss could result. The rear braking capability would not be possible, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

BRAKE FLUID LOSS COULD RESULT. THE REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect the rear brake line and adapter. If the inspection reveals that the rigid section of the brake line is not properly engaged in the adapter, then the entire adapter will be replaced. The recall began December 15, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Service Brakes

Jun 22, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V297000 · 99 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, the integral anti-lock brake system (iabs) sensor sealing o-ring connection at the rear axle housing May be damaged. An oil leak May develop.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE INTEGRAL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (IABS) SENSOR SEALING O-RING CONNECTION AT THE REAR AXLE HOUSING MAY BE DAMAGED. AN OIL LEAK MAY DEVELOP.

Risk: If this happens, oil could contact the rear wheel and the rear wheel brake disk, and the rider May not be able to control the motorcycle. A crash could occur.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THIS HAPPENS, OIL COULD CONTACT THE REAR WHEEL AND THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DISK, AND THE RIDER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE. A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the rear wheel iabs sensor sealing o-ring. The recall began July 14, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

EA13006 · opened Jul 12, 2013 · closed Jan 31, 2014 · led to recall 13V617000

Summary

ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10…

Fuel Leak - Motorcycle

PE12036 · opened Nov 16, 2012 · closed Jul 22, 2013

Summary

Owners of model year (MY) 2005-2008 R-Series motorcycles report substantial, high pressure fuel loss occurring when the fuel pump is energized.Many times they first become aware of the problem when fuel soaks their pant legs or is puddled under their parked motorcycle.The Office of Defects investigation (ODI) has obtained an owner video illustrating the issue.This video, and other material, may be found in the public file at www.SaferCar.gov. ODI has learned that the subject fuel leak is due to cracks in the fuel outlet quick connector located on the in-tank fuel pump housing.While some owners, reluctant to incur the expense to replace the fuel pump assembly, have undertaken frequently ineffective do-it-yourself repairs primarily involving adhesive patches, two other remedies are available.The first, found in the after-market, is an aluminum clamp designed to reinforce the fuel outlet threaded flange.The second is BMW?s own remedy, appearing in early 2011, following introduction of the aftermarket clamp.It, too, involves a metal collar designed to support the fuel outlet threaded flange.In January 2004 BMW conducted safety recall 04V028 involving 2000 to 2004 Model Year K and R Series motorcycles for a pressurized fuel leak.In this case an O-ring in a fuel line quick connector could become damaged and BMW identified the potential for fire as a consequence of this failure.In its recall, influenced by an ODI investigation (PE03-054), BMW judged the fire risk to be low and the f…

2005 vs. other BMW R1200 GS years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 BMW R1200 GS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering the 2005 BMW R1200 GS, the latest from Aug 10, 2020 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW R1200 GS?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention fuel system (20), power train (16), service brakes (8). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.