1998 BMW K1200RS Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW K1200RS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW K1200RS. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and transmission and drivetrain (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,500 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation 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 system4 67%
- Brakes1 17%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Recall 14401 from oct. 14, 1988. This vehicle was fixed under warranty in 2001 under this recall. It failed again recently and fuel started leaking. The parts to do the remedy are no longer available per my dealer. The only alternative is to replace the fuel tank and related components with a style that Bmw developed to solve this safety issue. My dealer called Bmw na service twice and was told there is no longer support for solving this problem. I called customer service and got the same reply...no current recall. Bmw na is not willing to assist in any way to solve a known safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10455068, filed 2012-04, 59,000 milesBrakes: “(note that the incident date and failure mileage reported are approximate.) when the failure occurred, the two ABS warning lights on the dash panel flashed alternately as they normally do upon engine start-up, but did not stop flashing once the motorcycle was underway as they normally should do, which indicated a problem with the anti-lock brake system. At the Bmw dealership where I have my motorcycle serviced, a technician ran a diagnostic check and identified the cause of the problem as a failed ABS modulator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456109, filed 2012-04, 52,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle was delivered with a transmission that refused, at times to shift upwards to higher gears. Usually this occured in colder weather and after being ridden for some distance before a brief period of cooling occurred triggering the problem. Warrantee replacement was denied because dealership stated they couldn't cause it to happen as I've described. Conversations with other owners convinces me this has been common and likewise denied to these other owners. …”
NHTSA complaint #722727, filed 2000-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 59,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 00V264000Sep 12, 2000Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: BMW K1200RS 1998–2000
Vehicle description: motorcycles. A spring-loaded thermostatic element in the oil thermostat housing is held in place by a cover that is retained by a snap ring. The snap ring may not have been properly installed during production. During vehicle operation…
- 00V266000Sep 12, 2000Engine and engine cooling › EngineCovers: BMW K1200RS 1998
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The cylinder head contains two sealing plugs covering holes in the area near the spark plugs. One or both plugs may not have been fully seated during vehicle assembly. Either or both of the sealing plugs could loosen or…
- 98V258000Oct 14, 1998Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: BMW K1200RS 1998
Vehicle description: motorcycles. During extended operation in high ambient temperature conditions, the area of the pump mounting surface of the fuel tank can deform, forming a gap between the tank mounting surface and the gasket, allowing fuel to escape…
- 97V134000Aug 8, 1997Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: BMW K1200RS 1998, R1200C 1998
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The adjusting screw for the pressure point of either the brake or clutch levers may not be sufficiently tight, due to grease contamination of the threads.
Recall details for the 1998 BMW K1200RS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE98047FUEL TANK LEAKClosed · Aug 27, 1998
- SQ97023Reduced clutch and brake effectivenessClosed · Nov 14, 1997
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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10200268Jun 15, 2021Equipment. IT is no longer necessary to place a PMP coded part order to obtain a Repair Enabling code
- 10207909Feb 1, 2016Other or unknown. Pre-delivery Intervention Check List.
- 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.
- 10193504Sep 9, 2013Equipment. Leaks have been reported in fork legs. The cause is reported be from oil lubricating film with accompanying dirt/grease ring is incorrectly interpreted to be a leaking fork leg. Investigations have…
- 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 K1200RS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5 | 12,489 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 18 | 29,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 7 | 45,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 6 | 55,500 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 BMW K1200RS have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW K1200RS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW K1200RS is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1998 BMW K1200RS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW K1200RS reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,500 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 59,000 miles; 0% 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.