2003 BMW K1200LT Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 33,320miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 BMW K1200LT (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW K1200LT. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 13 complaints (62% of the total), followed by fuel system (6) and other or unknown (2). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,320 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system6 29%
- Other or unknown2 9.5%
- Suspension2 9.5%
- Brakes1 4.8%
- Electrical system1 4.8%
- Engine1 4.8%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Bmw K1200LT 2003 motorcyle I purchased used with 8700 miles on the bike. At 18646 having all the maintenance done by the dealer, I experienced a rumbling sound traveling on an interstate at 65 MPH. I pulled over thinking it might be a bad tire and noticed oil dripping on the rear tire/rim. Oil on the rear brakes did hamper my slowing down. Bmw repaired the final drive saying the outside bearing failed causing the oil seal to fail. At 25,423 miles the final drive failed again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10446654, filed 2012-02, 18,646 milesFuel system: “While riding, fuel began pouring out over my right foot. It turned out that the fuel line quick disconnects (used for removing the fuel tank) deteriorated because they are plastic (the plastic part has been discontinued--the replacement part is now metal). My dealer replaced the disconnects with the new, metal part.”
NHTSA complaint #10604805, filed 2014-06, 50,737 milesOther or unknown: “Note- actual model not available in your database. Model is: 2003 Bmw K1200LT custom motorcycle shift linkage failed causing inability to shift gears. Linkage broke where short threaded rod connect ball joint to shifter arm. Motorcycle stranded and required tow. This is a known common defect in this model and this failure occurs often.”
NHTSA complaint #10025370, filed 2003-07, 675 milesSuspension: “Bmw 0703 k1200ltc motorcycle rear end failed at less than 19,000 miles creating a hazard to my safety. However by hearing the gear noise in time I was able to stop the bike before the rear seal allowed oil out of the rear end. So it had to be a bearing failure in my opinion. At this time no repairs have been made yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10167135, filed 2006-08, 18,869 milesMileage when problems were reported
71% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,050 and 50,737 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 BMW K1200LT in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- DP12001M/C final drive ball bearing failureClosed · Jan 20, 2012
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10205114Nov 24, 2021Electrical system, Equipment. With the introduction of the new watertight fuse box a change was made from large type fuses to mini fuses. While the correct fuses are installed in the fuse box, the older, large type fuses were…
- 10147912Dec 1, 2015Equipment. Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Exterior lighting. Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Fuel system. Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet…
- 10029706Feb 25, 2009Brakes. Bmw motorcycle: wheel speed dependent, clearly audible clanking noise occurs when braking to adjust speed. E series (k25; k25/02; k25/03; k25/11; k25/12; k25/hp; k26; k27; k28; k29; k29/hp; k40…
- 10030825Nov 1, 2007Fuel system, Other or unknown. Bmw motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. Bmw motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine fuels containing up to a maximum of 10% ethanol and imposes no warranty restrictions. Ethanol…
Other model years of the BMW K1200LT
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19 | 23,200 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 21 | 33,320 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2002 | 37 | 27,150 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 25 | 46,173 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 51 | 36,775 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 50 | 37,290 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All BMW K1200LT model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 BMW K1200LT have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW K1200LT as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 BMW K1200LT is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 13 complaints (62% of the total), followed by fuel system with 6.
Has the 2003 BMW K1200LT been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 BMW K1200LT reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,320 miles and the middle half falls between 21,050 and 50,737 miles; 71% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.