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BMW R1200 GSModel year report

2008 BMW R1200 GS Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
28,100miles, 28 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns 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 2008 BMW R1200 GS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS. The part named most often is fuel system, with 24 complaints (75% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and electrical system (3). 28 of the complaints include a mileage, and 79% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,100 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 68 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump, 2 NHTSA investigations and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Fuel pump flange, a plastic part, on the gasoline tank, had a number of cracks. I found the problem through discussions with other motorcyclists. I feel that if I had not checked for the known problem (among the Bmw motorcycling community) fuel would have leaked and posed a serious fire problem and possible injury to myself, possibly fatal.”

NHTSA complaint #10487932, filed 2012-12, 20,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “While traveling down a freeway a slight vibration was felt when the suspension unloaded. The vibration suddenly turned in to a bucking from the bike's rear and the drive shaft froze, locking the rear wheel. Small flames were noticed from the forward swing arm boot which self extinguished. Inspection showed the forward universal joint failed and the rotating drive shaft tore the swing arm.”

NHTSA complaint #10588000, filed 2014-05, 51,000 miles

Electrical system: “While travelling at the speed limit on the left lane in busy traffic, the motorcycle quit as if I had shut off the key. I had to maneuver through 4 lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder. I believe that the fuel level indicator shut the bike off even though there was fuel in the tank. Once stopped, the bike started again and ran normally. I believe that the fuel level indicator can interrupt engine operation when it gets to a point of zero range, even though the bike has adequate fuel in the tank. I have asked Bmw to verify this and they will not. …”

NHTSA complaint #10760928, filed 2015-09, 12,000 miles

Engine: “On 17 august 2014 at newcomb's ranch in the angeles national forest east of los angeles at approximately 10:15 am I discovered that the ignition switch detent mechanism had failed on my 2008 Bmw r1200gs motorcycle. I was able to freely rotate the ignition key between on and off, so that the slightest torque from a key fob or wind could turn the key to off, which would shut the engine and all electrical systems off, perhaps unexpectedly during operation of the vehicle. The failed ignition switch detent condition apparently occurred during my one hour ride on l.a. …”

NHTSA complaint #10630849, filed 2014-09, 20,200 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

79% of the 28 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,000 and 36,000 miles.

14%0–1032%10–2532%25–5018%50–750%75–1004%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (28 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 28,100 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.

201220148201620212023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 68 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 68 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW R1200 GS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2016124,3002———Not enough data
2015107,0002———Not enough data
20141427,0003———Not enough data
20131233,1694———Not enough data
20121037,0001———Not enough data
2011714,0003———Not enough data
2010821,7503———Not enough data
20093013,9144——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20083228,1008——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20074222,8586——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006925,0009———Not enough data
20055131,0009——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW R1200 GS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW R1200 GS have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 BMW R1200 GS is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 24 complaints (75% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 2008 BMW R1200 GS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 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 reported?

Among the 28 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,100 miles and the middle half falls between 18,000 and 36,000 miles; 79% 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.