2016 BMW R1200 GS Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 42%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the suspension of the 2016 BMW R1200 GS, 42% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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.
“I was traveling in on a straight portion of pacific coast highway in huntington beach. There was no traffic around and no debris in the road. I was traveling approximately 40 MPH when the handlebar on my motorcycle violently jerked to the left for a split second and corrected itself. This was not normal and very dangerous. I looked at the handlebar and noticed that it wasn't straight or square to the direction I was traveling. A second after seeing the handle bar the bike jerked to the left again, this time causing me to lose control and crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10990628, filed 2017-05, 5,500 miles“I was never notified about an important safety recall. No notification via mail, email, phone call, etc. I was only alerted to this recall when I brought my Bmw motorcycle back to the Bmw dealer for non-related warranty work. The dealer was very surprised I had not had the front fork recall done, and my reply was that I was never notified. This is safety recall # 17v-438, fyi. This recall began in august, 2017. No notification is very surprising and upsetting to me, as I purchased this Bmw motorcycle brand new at this dealer, so Bmw clearly has my information on file. …”
NHTSA complaint #11066189, filed 2018-02, 600 miles“On may 13, 2017, while riding my 2016 Bmw r1200gs with 11500 miles, one of my riding partners noticed oil leaking from the suspension fork tubes. After peeling the rubber boots that cover the stanchions, we noticed that both stanchions on the bike had separated. I wouldn't have known about it, except one of the persons with whom I was riding, had the same issue happen with his 2013 Bmw r1200gs. I still had to ride 170 miles home with 15 miles of it on dirt. I rode straight to the dealership and they wouldn't let me take the bike because they consider this a very dangerous situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #11000804, filed 2017-06, 11,500 milesRelated recalls
- 17V438000Jul 10, 2017BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 BMW R1200GS and BMW R1200GS Adventure motorcycles. The motorcycle fixed fork tube may separate…Covers: BMW R1200 GS 2014–2017, R1200 GS Adventure 2014–2017
Related service bulletins
- 10149205Oct 1, 2014It is not possible to calibrate the ESA suspension strut.
- 10147996Jan 1, 2014ESA spring strut cannot be calibrated / additional models added
- 10147963Jan 1, 2014The rear SAF (Dynamic ESA) spring strut is able to twist by a few degrees.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | 42% |
| 2015 | 3 | 30% |
| 2014 | 4 | 29% |
| 2013 | 1 | 8% |
| 2012 | 1 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 14% |
| 2009 | 2 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 11% |
| 2005 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2016 BMW R1200 GS
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 BMW R1200 GS
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology