2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 19,246miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 7campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure. The part named most often is fuel system, with 11 complaints (61% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and electrical system (2). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 94% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,246 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 54 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 4 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 system11 61%
- Brakes3 17%
- Electrical system2 11%
- Body and structure2 11%
- Engine1 5.6%
- Equipment1 5.6%
- Seats1 5.6%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “First, my motorcycle is titled a 2009 but manufactured in 2008. The flange where the female fuel line quick-disconnect cracked (on the left and right sides of the fuel tank) and there was a slight smell of fuel. One of the male plastic quick disconnect broke when I was making the repair. I ordered, received and installed metal quick-disconnects and repaired the cracked flange itself with parts ordered from beemer boneyard.”
NHTSA complaint #10532737, filed 2013-07, 38,000 milesBrakes: “In having the bike service was informed that the ABS pump unit has failed and did some time ago. This is happening on many Bmw motorcycle from the r and k class of bikes and could cause complete brake failure unexpectedly which will create serious injuries”
NHTSA complaint #10736105, filed 2015-07, 31,000 milesElectrical system: “I was riding on the central freeway on the bay bridge approach when I began to feel heat on my left inner thigh. I also noticed a burning rubber or plastic smell. I immediately began merging to the right as I was approaching the last san francisco exit before the bay bridge. I fought my way through the heavy traffic all while looking down to see what looked like embers dropping off the left side. I pulled into a shell station, jumped off and pulled the burning seat off of the motorcycle and patted it out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10640696, filed 2014-10, 19,000 milesBody and structure: “Driving in the rain cause water to penetrate into an area where a fpc (fuel pressure controller) on the vehicle is positioned. The engine dies suddenly as fuel pressure is interrupted and the vehicle. A large number of this failure is reported by other individuals online in web board discussions making it appear a design flaw. The consequence for me was that I had to cross two lanes of traffic on a disabled motorcycle and was stranded on the side of the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10411578, filed 2011-07, 33,040 milesMileage when problems were reported
94% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 31,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 20V471000Aug 10, 2020Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: BMW R1200 GS Adventure 2005–2011, R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011 +13 more
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)…
- 15V141000Mar 11, 2015Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studsCovers: BMW R1200 GS Adventure 2006–2010, R1200 RT 2005–2010, R1200 GS 2005–2010 +9 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport…
- 13V617000Dec 12, 2013Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: BMW R1200 GS Adventure 2006–2011, R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011 +12 more
BMW 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 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected…
- 10V276000Jun 18, 2010Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: BMW R1200 GS Adventure 2007–2009, R1200 GS 2007–2009, R1200 RT 2007–2009 +3 more
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 r 1200 and k 1200 series motorcycles manufactured from august 2006 through may 2009. Due to the current routing of the front brake lines, it is possible that during riding, and therefore associated…
- 09V129000Apr 17, 2009Electrical systemCovers: BMW R1200 GS Adventure 2008, R1200 GS 2008
Bmw is recalling model year 2008 r1200 gs and r1200 gs adventure motorcycles. In certain situations, such as high generator speeds combined with large demands for electrical current, spurious signals could emerge within the motorcycle's electrical system. If…
- 08V290000Jul 1, 2008Power train › Manual transmissionCovers: BMW R1200 GS Adventure 2008, R 1200 R 2008, R1200 GS 2008
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.
See all 7 recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 54 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10248094Dec 13, 2023Transmission and drivetrain. Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance…
- 10245433Nov 13, 2023Fuel system. BMW 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 series motorcycles.
- 10236237Apr 24, 2023Transmission and drivetrain. Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
- 10228448Nov 8, 2022Brakes. BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.
- 10218351Jul 28, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts of the driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
- 10205109Nov 3, 2021Body and structure, Equipment. Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special accessories catalog for the GS models.
- 10204667Sep 20, 2021Electrical system. One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control units cannot be found when reading out with ISTA. 2. Control units initially communicate…
- 10201170Jul 13, 2021Electrical system. When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
- 10200269Jun 17, 2021Electrical system. The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
Other model years of the BMW R1200 GS Adventure
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 | 7,125 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7 | 9,951 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 18 | 19,246 | 7 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 23 | 30,000 | 5 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 5 | 32,245 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All BMW R1200 GS Adventure model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 11 complaints (61% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure been recalled?
NHTSA lists 7 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 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,246 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 31,000 miles; 94% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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.