2008 BMW R 1200 GS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
16
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS
The 2008 BMW R 1200 GS has received a total of 16 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (8 complaints), Fuel System Gasoline (4 complaints), and Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS, potentially affecting up to 109,142 vehicles.
Recall 15V141000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
| 43,426 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 13V617000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 50,184 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 10V276000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 15,532 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 AND K 1200 SERIES MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2006 THROUGH MAY 2009. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, AND THEREFORE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION. THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE BRAKE LINE COULD SPLIT...
Consequence: IF THIS GOES UNNOTICED, AND THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR RUNS EMPTY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES, CONTAINING A "SLEEVE" ALONG A PORTION OF THE LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS
16 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuelpropulsion System | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinestorageevaporative Emissionshosesvalvessensors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 BMW R 1200. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked, the contact smelled fuel on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign number: 20V471000 (Fuel system, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Fuel strip sensor failure. The fuel strip sensor that sends fuel level information to the motorcycle dash has failed. This is a known issue by BMW. When the strip fails, it no longer sends accurate fuel level information and the fuel indicator on the dash is no longer reliable. In my case, the fuel level reads full permanently even though fuel has been completely depleted. BMW's remedy is/was to replace the faulty fuel strip with another of the same faulty design rendering a situation where the rider can never rely on the fuel gauge. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the issue which results in unsafe riding conditions when the engine suddenly dies unexpectedly from lack of fuel.
There is a small plastic cam on the throttle body that gets pulled by the throttle cable to control the butterfly valve. They break easily and cause a loss of power and engine control. I have seen many others posting on line with same issue
There is a small plastic cam on the throttle body that gets pulled by the throttle cable to control the butterfly valve. They break easily and cause a loss of power and engine control. I have seen many others posting on line with same issue
The contact owns a 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking fuel without warning. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
MC610315 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly secured in the holder by the threaded fasteners.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW R 1200 GS
- 2004 BMW R 1200 GS — 0 complaints
- 2005 BMW R 1200 GS — 19 complaints
- 2006 BMW R 1200 GS — 6 complaints
- 2007 BMW R 1200 GS — 18 complaints
- 2008 BMW R 1200 GS (current)
- 2009 BMW R 1200 GS — 17 complaints
- 2010 BMW R 1200 GS — 2 complaints
- 2011 BMW R 1200 GS — 6 complaints
- 2012 BMW R 1200 GS — 13 complaints
- 2013 BMW R 1200 GS — 6 complaints