2008 BMW R1200 GS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
23
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
The 2008 BMW R1200 GS has received a total of 23 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (8 complaints), Power Train (4 complaints), and Electrical System (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS, potentially affecting up to 36,626 vehicles.
Recall 20V471000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 16,926 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 17E052000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
| 9,000 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain accessory turn signals manufactured for 2006-2017 R1200GS, 2007-2008 and 2010-2017 R1200GS Adventure, 2017 F700GS and F800GS, 2013-2017 F800GT, 2015-2016 F800R, 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure, 2014-2016 S1000R, 2015-2017 R1200R, 2016-2017 R1200RS, and 2010-2017 S1000RR motorcycles. As designed, these accessory turn signals may be insufficiently visible to other drivers, and, as such, fail to...
Consequence: If other drivers cannot easily see the turn signals, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 09V319000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 4,839 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 R1200 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JANUARY 2008. THE SEALING OF THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT HOUSING MIGHT BE INSUFFICIENT AND WATER COULD INTRUDE INTO THE CONTROL UNIT HOUSING CREATING A HUMID ATMOSPHERE. UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP COULD CORRODE AND THEN FAIL.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP WILL CAUSE INADEQUATE FUEL TO REACH THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Recall 09V129000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 893 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 R1200 GS AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, SUCH AS HIGH GENERATOR SPEEDS COMBINED WITH LARGE DEMANDS FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT, SPURIOUS SIGNALS COULD EMERGE WITHIN THE MOTORCYCLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD AFFECT THE PRESSURE SENSOR SIGNALS OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL UNIT. IF THIS HAPPENED,...
Consequence: ANY TIME VEHICLE CONTROL IS COMPROMISED A CRASH MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 26, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Recall 08V254000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 4,922 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING 4,922 MY 2007-2008 R1200R, MY 2006-2007 R1200 GS, MY 2007 R1200 ST, AND MY 2008 R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE BRAKE LINES COULD SPLIT AND START TO DEVELOP A...
Consequence: IF FLUID LEVEL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES WITH A MODIFIED ROUTING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Recall 08V290000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
| 46 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 R1200 R, R1200 GS, AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE SHAFT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENED, LOCK-UP OF THE REAR TIRE COULD OCCUR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING TO BREAK. IF THIS HAPPENED, OIL COULD LEAK ONTO THE REAR WHEE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARBOX. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
23 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuelpropulsion System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE FORWARD DRIVE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILED, LOCKING THE REAR WHEEL. THE SPINNING FORWARD END OF THE UNCONSTRAINED DRIVE SHAFT DAMAGED THE SWING ARM.
WHILE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE LEFT LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT AS IF I HAD SHUT OFF THE KEY. I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHUT THE BIKE OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK. ONCE STOPPED, THE BIKE STARTED AGAIN AND RAN NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT OF ZERO RANGE, EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE HAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE ASKED BMW TO VERIFY THIS AND THEY WILL NOT. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF IT CANNOT HAPPEN, THEN I NEED TO LOOK WHAT DID HAPPEN. BMW RECOMMENDS THAT I TALK TO THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO SEND A REP TO LOOK AT THE BIKE, BUT AS CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN HAPPEN AND BE WARNED ABOUT IT SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE FUEL STRIP AND SINCE THEN THE FUEL STRIP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES, AND IS NOW INOPERABLE. BMW NEEDS TO ANSWER MY QUESTION BECAUSE IF THE FUEL STRIP CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION BMW OWNERS NEED TO KNOW. WITHOUT KNOWING THIS, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATALITY WHICH PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO OPERATOR ERROR.
WHILE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE LEFT LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT AS IF I HAD SHUT OFF THE KEY. I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHUT THE BIKE OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK. ONCE STOPPED, THE BIKE STARTED AGAIN AND RAN NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT OF ZERO RANGE, EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE HAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE ASKED BMW TO VERIFY THIS AND THEY WILL NOT. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF IT CANNOT HAPPEN, THEN I NEED TO LOOK WHAT DID HAPPEN. BMW RECOMMENDS THAT I TALK TO THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO SEND A REP TO LOOK AT THE BIKE, BUT AS CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN HAPPEN AND BE WARNED ABOUT IT SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE FUEL STRIP AND SINCE THEN THE FUEL STRIP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES, AND IS NOW INOPERABLE. BMW NEEDS TO ANSWER MY QUESTION BECAUSE IF THE FUEL STRIP CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION BMW OWNERS NEED TO KNOW. WITHOUT KNOWING THIS, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATALITY WHICH PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO OPERATOR ERROR.
WHILE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE LEFT LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT AS IF I HAD SHUT OFF THE KEY. I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHUT THE BIKE OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK. ONCE STOPPED, THE BIKE STARTED AGAIN AND RAN NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT OF ZERO RANGE, EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE HAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE ASKED BMW TO VERIFY THIS AND THEY WILL NOT. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF IT CANNOT HAPPEN, THEN I NEED TO LOOK WHAT DID HAPPEN. BMW RECOMMENDS THAT I TALK TO THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO SEND A REP TO LOOK AT THE BIKE, BUT AS CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN HAPPEN AND BE WARNED ABOUT IT SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE FUEL STRIP AND SINCE THEN THE FUEL STRIP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES, AND IS NOW INOPERABLE. BMW NEEDS TO ANSWER MY QUESTION BECAUSE IF THE FUEL STRIP CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION BMW OWNERS NEED TO KNOW. WITHOUT KNOWING THIS, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH EASILY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATALITY WHICH PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO OPERATOR ERROR.
2008 R 1200GS MOTORCYCLE WITH 9218 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT RECENTLY STARTED COMING ON (SOLID) OCCASIONALLY. *BF UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW R1200 GS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
MC660118 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
MC6192247601 — POWER TRAIN
Shift assist does not function after performing SIB 23 001 15 (017) DME software upgrade. This is due to a progrm fault in ISTA/p version 3.56.0.
23-001-08(021) — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
BMW MOTORCYCLE: GEARBOX REPLACEMENT. ON ACCOUNT OF A MATERIAL DEFECT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A SMALL NUMBER (46) MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED TO DATE SUFFERING A GEARBOX MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD RESULT IN A ROADSIDE BREAKDOWN. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2008 BMW R1200 GS.
Investigation PE12036 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Closed
Opened:
Fuel Leak - Motorcycle
Other Model Years of the BMW R1200 GS
- 2004 BMW R1200 GS — 4 complaints
- 2005 BMW R1200 GS — 46 complaints
- 2006 BMW R1200 GS — 4 complaints
- 2007 BMW R1200 GS — 29 complaints
- 2008 BMW R1200 GS (current)
- 2009 BMW R1200 GS — 22 complaints
- 2010 BMW R1200 GS — 7 complaints
- 2011 BMW R1200 GS — 1 complaint
- 2013 BMW R1200 GS — 5 complaints