NHTSA Complaint #11626502 — 2011 BMW R 1200 GS

Fuel pump flange failure resulting in leaking fuel while I was riding the bike. It is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the bike could have caught fire while riding and also potentially could have caused me to crash. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The component hasn't been inspected by BMW or any representative. There was no warning or symptom other than I could smell fuel while I was riding. In April 2014 BMW issued recall notice 13V-617 for a potential fuel leak at the fuel pump flange. The remedy by BMW was to place a reinforcing ring around the fuel pump flange or replace the fuel pump with a new pump that had a preinstalled reinforcing ring. My fuel pump was replaced in November 2015 under the recall. At the conclusion of my ride on 11/16/24 my inspection revealed fuel leaking around the fuel pump flange with fuel puddling on top of the fuel pump. Enough fuel leaked and dispersed during my ride that fuel had also collected in between the cylinder cooling fins on one side of the motor which is a potential ignition source. It was also evident that fuel had blown onto the side of the bike. I was extremely fortunate fuel didn't contact the exhaust pipe which is in proximity to where fuel was leaking and ignite. Even though it has been 9 years since my fuel pump was replaced the reinforcing ring remedy for the fuel pump flange does not work as evidenced by the leak on my bike. The leak should have never occurred. The fuel pump flange on these fuel pumps even with a reinforcing ring is still apparently a bad design and still subject to failure and creates a life safety hazard. My bike could have easily caught fire which could have resulted in personal injury or a crash. I consider myself lucky that neither of these hazards occurred. I have contacted BMW Customer Support. A case number was issued and my case was escalated to the next level. Im waiting for their response.