2008 BMW R1200 R — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
6
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 BMW R1200 R
The 2008 BMW R1200 R has received a total of 6 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problem area is the Fuelpropulsion System (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 R
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 R, potentially affecting up to 21,894 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 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 R
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW R1200 R. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuelpropulsion System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE FUEL TANK {FROM THE INSIDE OUT} AT THE FILLER HOLE HAS MASSIVE CORROSION RENDERING THE TANK USELESS. FUEL HAS THE ABILITY TO LEAK AN LEAK SUBSTANIALLY WHEN THE BIKE IS IN MOTION. FUME LEAKAGE READILY APPARENT AS WELL. PER THE CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC AN THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR AND I AGREE THE FUEL TANK IS USELESS DUE TO MASSIVE PRE-MATURE CORROSION AN DEGRADATION OF THE TANK ITSELF. NOTE THAT THE MOTORCYCLE IS MAINTAINED UNDER A CARPORT AND ALWAYS OUT OF THE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE WITH BMW AND OF COURSE BMW HAS A HISTORY AS YALL WELL KNOW OF REFUSING TO STEP UP AN CORRECT DESIGN FAILURES UNLIKE OTHER COMPANIES SUCH AS TOYOTA. THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE WHEN THE WELL DOCUMENTED FUEL STRIP FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE 3RD STRIP WAS BEING INSTALLED. HOLES THE SIZE OF A POSTAGE STAMP AND "ROTTEN PAPER THIN" DEGRADATED METAL UNDERNEATH THE FILLER CAP IS EASILY TOTALLY DETAECTABLE. PER BMW THE TANK IS USELESS AN THERE IS NO FIX UNDER THAN REPLACEMENT- AND GET THIS PER THE BMW DEALER QUOTE - THIS PART IS OBSOLET- BMW IS NOT EVEN MAKING A REPLACEMENT FOR A 9 YR OLD BIKE. IT IS A FIRE HAZARD NOT ONLY TO THE MOTORCYCLE BUT TO THE OPERATOR AS WELL. IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTORS DEFECT WHICH BMW REFUSES TO ADDRESS. IT PRESENTS A SITUATION WHERE THE OPERATOR SHOULD NOT BE IN TRAFFIC DUE TO BEING A HAZARD TO HIMSELF, PASSENGERS, OR OTHER DRIVERS. LEAKING FUEL AN FUMES PRESENT A CLEAR HAZARD WHETHER IN MOTION OR EVEN AT IDLE. YALL MUST INVESTIGATE AN DEMAND BMW CORRECT THIS OUTRAGEOUS DESIGN FLAW, MATERIAL FAILURE IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN FROM A SAFETY VIEWPOINT. AGAIN, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR R1200R'S AND THE 1200RT MODELS. REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IS THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HOLD BMW ACCOUNTABLE FOR TOTALLY SUB-STANDARD WORKMANSHIP WHICH EQUATES TO POTENTIALLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES IF NOT RESOLVED. THK YOU
FUEL PUMP FLANGE LEAKING DUE TO CRACKING. BMW'S 1ST FACTORY ATTEMPT WAS TO PUT A "SIZING" RING ON FLANGE TO COMPRESS THE MICRO CRACKS WHICH OF COURSE WAS A JACKLEG APPROACH QUITE COMMON TO BMW MOTORCYCLES. EVENTUALLY WITH IN 1 YR FUEL STARTED MASSIVELY FLOWING DOWN ONTO HOT ENGINE MAKING THE BIKE A ROLLING FIREBALL POTENTIALLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 R. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,210. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THIS FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE THREE OR FOUR MODEL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. UPDATED 11/16/2015*JS
FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND READS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. *TR
LOW FUEL WARNING LAMP DID NOT COME ON LEADING TO ME RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK (3 BARS) BUT WAS INACCURATE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION SINCE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM RUNNING OUT OF FUEL CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE. THE "FUEL STRIP" (PER BMW NOMENCLATURE) FAILS CAUSING FUEL GAUGE TO READ INACCURATELY AND RENDERING LOW FUEL WARNING LAMP INOPERATIVE. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON MANY BMW MOTORCYCLE MODELS FROM 2005-2013. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW R1200 R
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW R1200 R in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW R1200 R
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW R1200 R. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
23-001-08(021) — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
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
23-001-08(021) — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
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
US 14253849-01 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
BMW MOTORCYCLES: ABRUPT CORNER HANDLING. WHEN CORNERING (E.G. TURNING OFF) AT UP TO 13MPH, THE MOTOR CYCLE TENDS TO LEAN INTO THE BEND. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW R1200 R
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW R1200 R
- 2006 BMW R1200 R — 1 complaint
- 2007 BMW R1200 R — 5 complaints
- 2008 BMW R1200 R (current)
- 2011 BMW R1200 R — 6 complaints