2018 BMW R1200 GS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 BMW R1200 GS
The 2018 BMW R1200 GS has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, VISIBILITY. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (2 complaints), Electrical System (1 complaint), and Steering (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS, potentially affecting up to 50,917 vehicles.
Recall 18E016000 — EQUIPMENT
| 1,571 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8546224, sold for use on model year 2014-2018 S1000R motorcycles,...
Consequence: The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 18E016000 — VISIBILITY
| 1,571 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8546224, sold for use on model year 2014-2018 S1000R motorcycles,...
Consequence: The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 17V481000 — EQUIPMENT
| 47,775 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS...
Consequence: If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 BMW R 1200 GS. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's decreased and the motorcycle lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with corrosion on the Dynamic Motor Engine (DME) connector pins. The contact was informed that the DME connector pins needed to be cleaned. The motorcycle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,500.
Vehicle reported engine fault and cut engine power while on freeway (commonly known as "limp mode"). It was extremely dangerous trying to find somewhere to pull over with very little engine power. It has happened several times now. Vehicle is now longer safe for freeway use. It also happened once mid corner which upsets the chassis and is quite dangerous on a motorcycle. Dealer performed a software update and cleared codes on 10/29/2020 which clearly did not fix anything. No warning is given. Power is just suddenly removed.
WITHOUT WARNING THE MOTORCYCLE STEERING WENT INTO WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOW AS "DEATH WOBBLE" OR "TANK SLAPPING" WITH THE STEERING UNCONTROLLABLE RAPIDLY MOVING RIGHT TO LEFT AND IMMEDIATELY CRASHING CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES TO DRIVER.
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO TICKET # 11363230. RELATED TO THIS SAME VEHICLE. I WENT FOR A RIDE TODAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, WITH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTTING ALMOST COMPLETELY DOWN. LUCKILY, IT WAS ON A DESERTED COUNTRY ROAD AND NOT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM ATTACHING A PDF OF THE OBD SCAN I TOOK UPON RETURNING HOME TODAY. ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DEFECT IS SHOWING UP ON A NUMBER OF THESE BIKES--THERE IS A THREAD DISCUSSING THE ISSUE AT: HTTPS://FORUMS.BMWMOA.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?98612-2018-R1200RT-WITH-INTERMITTENT-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT&P=1223053#POST1223053
Safety Rating for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 BMW R1200 GS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
MC3600118 — WHEELS
During the course of quality analysis, it was determined by BMW Motorrad that in the production period from February 2018 to end of June 2018, cross-spoked wheels with reduced spoke tension have been produced.
MC55685466 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control system is not working in the Enduro/Pro mode
MC57452661 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Difficulty retrofitting the gear shift Assistant Pro. Early prodction and incorrect integration level.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW R1200 GS
- 2013 BMW R1200 GS — 5 complaints
- 2014 BMW R1200 GS — 7 complaints
- 2015 BMW R1200 GS — 14 complaints
- 2016 BMW R1200 GS — 15 complaints
- 2017 BMW R1200 GS — 5 complaints
- 2018 BMW R1200 GS (current)
- 2019 BMW R1200 GS — 0 complaints