BMW R 1200 R Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the BMW R 1200 R (2007–2013) that have at least 5 complaints. 2013 has the most, with 12. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (43 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All R 1200 R model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 1,100 | 2 | 35 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 10 | 4,976 | 1 | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 6 | 7,356 | 3 | 36 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 5 | 15,000 | 4 | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 11 | 6,800 | 6 | 50 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 7 | 40,000 | 6 | 49 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system43 73%
- Electrical system5 8.5%
- Brakes5 8.5%
- Transmission and drivetrain2 3.4%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)1 1.7%
- Other or unknown1 1.7%
- Equipment1 1.7%
- Engine1 1.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “There is a recall on fuel pumps recall # 20v-471. My fuel pump needs to be replaced as it is failing. The recall includes bikes up to model year 2011. While my bike is a 2012, it was manufactured in 2011 and should be included in the recall. I have only 6000 miles on my bike and the part has failed way to early for it not to be included with the recall. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11351191, filed 2020-08, 6,000 miles2008: “The fuel gauge shows fuel remaining and the warning light is not on and the engine runs out of fuel and dies with no warning. It has happened to my bike and to my sisters bike. My fuel gage stopped working completely after I ran out. Bmw repaired mine and it works ok now. I have seen this problem discussed repeatedly in many online forums.”
NHTSA complaint #10357406, filed 2010-09, 1,200 miles2009: “The fuel gauge displayed that I had 40 miles left and was on reserve and the low fuel light illuminated. Two miles later, on the way to stop for gas, the engine suddenly sputtered on a busy interstate and died. I had no power and managed to safely coast through traffic to a stop on the shoulder of the interstate. Fortunately I was able to slosh the tank back and forth and start the engine again and made it safely to a gas station 4 miles down the road where I filled up a bone dry tank still telling me I had 38 miles left on the tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10499882, filed 2013-02, 15,000 milesOther BMW models
3,168 complaintsBMW 328I
2,577 complaintsBMW X3
2,019 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology