NHTSA Complaint #10630065 — 2004 BMW K1200 GT

AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH, I APPLIED BOTH FRONT AND REAR POWER ASSISTED BRAKES AND THE REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW USING THE FRONT BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. A MASTER CAUTION LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS A RAPIDLY BLINKING BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT. THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY EXPENSIVE FAILURE ON ALL BMW MOTORCYCLES COSTING UP TO $3000 TO REPAIR AT A DEALER. WHEN REPAIRED, THESE BRAKE SYSTEMS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING IN THE SAME MANNER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THIS HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY UP TO AND INCLUDING RIDER/PASSENGER DEATH. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE AFFECTED BIKES (1997-PRESENT MODEL) TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THESE VERY EXPENSIVE, FAILURE PRONE BRAKE SYSTEMS WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNERS. UPDATED 10/22/14. *JB UPDATED 12/15/14. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OF THE ABS MODULE LEAVES THE MOTORCYCLE WITH MINIMAL TO NO BRAKING ABILITY. UPDATED 09/28/15.