2008 BMW R 1200 R Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 64%of 11 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 BMW R 1200 R, 64% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“My 2008 Bmw r1200r motorcycle fuel gauge continues to malfunction or does not work. It has been replaced by the dealer multiple occasions. Merging with high speed high volume traffic in the dc area can be very dangerous if you run out of gas due to a fuel gauge error. I had the same problem with my Bmw r1200gs adventure motorcycle. My brother has hid gauge changed on his Bmw r1200gs adventure at least 5 times.”
NHTSA complaint #10410317, filed 2011-07, 6,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11013059, filed 2017-08, 54,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11013060, filed 2017-08, 54,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V471000Aug 10, 2020BMW 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…Covers: BMW R 1200 R 2006–2011, R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011 +13 more
- 13V617000Dec 12, 2013BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year…Covers: BMW R 1200 R 2007–2011, R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011 +12 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245433Nov 13, 2023BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender âÂÂFuel Stripâ equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K…
- 10056106Jun 1, 2014Bmw mc: see document search button for owner letter. Information provided regarding the warranty extension, with out mileage limitations, to 12 years due to a potential…
- 10150154Mar 1, 2013R1200R has no fuel level or engine temperature display despite having an on-board computer
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw 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…
- 10030825Nov 1, 2007Bmw 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…
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW R 1200 R
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW R 1200 R
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology