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BMW R1200 GSModel year report

2011 BMW R1200 GS Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
14,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW R1200 GS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW R1200 GS. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and brakes (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 14,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 57 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump, 1 NHTSA investigation and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 10 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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Recall work was done in 2014. New part failed 2020 and Bmw says only 2 year warranty on recall part. That's according to Bmw serivice as well as Bmw of western oregon. The fuel leaks onto the engine and exhaust. Fire and life hazard!!!! Failure leaks fuel on engine and exhaust.”

NHTSA complaint #11330893, filed 2020-06, 5,500 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “After few km (16.700) a lot of noise comes from gear box. I search on the web if somebody else had the same problem and I found a lot. Many customer claims that out of warranty the gear fault causing serious noise and in some case crash and injuries. The problem consist in a fault of the of the shaft in the gearbox that can cause the rear wheel locking. In fact, this motorcycle had a rigid transmission made with a shaft. When the shaft of the gearbox crack, some small metal parts can simply lock the transmission. Bmw well know the problem due to several maintenance job. I'm writing from italy. …”

NHTSA complaint #10916708, filed 2016-10, 14,000 miles

Brakes: “First reported front brake failure to BMW Motorcycle dealer in Chattanooga TN in fall of 2019. Lever went to grip and had to be pumped several times to engage. Dealer could not replicate problem or find anything wrong. June 2022, experienced rear brake failure though several pumps would recover system but only temporarily. Dealer suspected rear master cylinder was culprit but a new one made no difference. Now I’m told it is the ABS servo which is very expensive. Motorcycle has been maintained according to schedule by this dealer. Brakes are a vital part of this motorcycle.”

NHTSA complaint #11472287, filed 2022-07

Suspension: “The electronic suspension adjustment equipped, non-serviceable, rear shock failed at only 15,500 miles. The replacement unit is $2000. I take the position that Bmw north america's expectation that the consumer should bear the burden of the failure of such an expensive part after only 4 years and 15,500 miles is exceptionally unreasonable, and believe a recall should be issued.”

NHTSA complaint #10746547, filed 2015-08, 15,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,500 and 15,500 miles.

33%0–1067%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 14,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20151201612020120221202312024120251
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

Recall details for the 2011 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. 57 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 57 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 2011 BMW R1200 GS have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW R1200 GS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 BMW R1200 GS is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.

Has the 2011 BMW R1200 GS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 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 2011 BMW R1200 GS reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 14,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,500 and 15,500 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.