2008 BMW R1200 GS Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 BMW R1200 GS, 9% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is 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.
“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“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“The contact owns a 2008 Bmw R1200 GS motorcycle. The contact stated that the anti- lock braking system engaged and turned off independently without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the anti-lock brake system control unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 09v129000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,000 and the current mileage was 6,000. Updated 8/27/14 updated 08/29/2014”
NHTSA complaint #10605939, filed 2014-06, 2,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V129000Apr 17, 2009Bmw is recalling model year 2008 r1200 gs and r1200 gs adventure motorcycles. In certain situations, such as high generator speeds combined with large demands…Covers: BMW R1200 GS 2008, R1200 GS Adventure 2008
Related service bulletins
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The 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…
- 10204667Sep 20, 2021One 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…
- 10204679Sep 3, 2021BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly secured in the holder by the threaded fasteners.
- 10201170Jul 13, 2021When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
- 10201169Jul 1, 2021Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket (manufactured before 2009)Headlights and rear lights light up intermittently…
- 10200269Jun 17, 2021The 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
- 10200499May 24, 2021Service distance cannot be set in miles in ISTA for TFT-type instrument clusters
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has…
- 10159164Mar 1, 2019Which charger should be used to charge the Li-ion HP and/or M batteries.
- 10135001Feb 5, 2018After a few days of beingparked, the battery discharges, off-load current is too high
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology