2005 BMW R1200 RT Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 69%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the fuel system of the 2005 BMW R1200 RT, 69% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After filling my Bmw motorcycle with gas I parked it to visit with some other riders. After a short time returned to my bike to find gas running onto the hot engine and pooling on the ground. Left the bike went home got a trailer and took it home. I drained the gas, took the cover off the gas tank and found the quick disconnect on the fuel line cracked allowing fuel to run down the tank and onto the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10551749, filed 2013-11, 21,000 miles“Motorcycle fuel gauge not working. Always showing empty. Took motorcycle to dealer and had fuel level sensor replaced. Motorcycle fuel gauge now showing full all the time until one recent fuel fill up it went back to showing empty. I had been using the trip meter to judge fuel level filling the tank at 250 miles. On the date of this incident, in the middle of heavy traffic, I ran out of fuel at approx. 200 miles. I managed to get off of the road without getting run over. …”
NHTSA complaint #10628565, filed 2014-08, 22,000 miles“While pulling away from a stop sign the motorcycle increased speed and RPM's in excess of the amount of throttle I was twisting. I immediately pulled in the clutch and released the throttle. The RPM's continued to climb over 4000 and the engine sustained this level. The motorcycle would only return to a normal idle level (1100 RPM) if I forced the throttle closed (forward twisting motion). This matter could have been very dangerous and life threatening. I delivered the motorcycle to the Bmw dealer to have the matter diagnosed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10838801, filed 2016-02, 169,500 miles“I was riding my motorcycle in the right hand lane in a 50mph residential zone in fairly heavy evening traffic when the engine started to severely misfire and stumble / sputter. Luckily I was in the right hand lane because the engine then died and I was able to pull to the side without too much difficulty although the vehicle behind came very close to me since the bike so rapidly slowed without my brakelight on to indicate a slow down. The bike would not restart and I had a friend trailer it to my house, since this was at night and the dealership was closed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10499667, filed 2013-02, 32,191 miles“While riding my Bmw r1200rt today I started smelling gas. I returned home and put the motorcycle in the garage. It had a very strong gas smell coming from it. I removed the left upper fairing to inspect the fuel pump area. On top of the fuel pump raw gasoline was pooled and leaking down the side of the gas tank towards the left cylinder exhaust pipe near the cylinder head. Thank goodness enough gas had not leaked yet to run all the way down to the exhaust pipe! I turned the key on to energize the electric fuel pump and pressurize the fuel system to see where the gas was leaking from. …”
NHTSA complaint #10546944, filed 2013-10, 49,753 milesRelated recalls
- 20V471000Aug 10, 2020BMW 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…Covers: BMW R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011, R1200 GS Adventure 2005–2011 +13 more
- 13V617000Dec 12, 2013BMW 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…Covers: BMW R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011, R1200 GS Adventure 2006–2011 +12 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245433Nov 13, 2023BMW 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…
- 10056106Jun 1, 2014Bmw mc: see document search button for owner letter. Information provided regarding the warranty extension, with out mileage limitations, to 12 years due to a potential…
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery…
- 10030825Nov 1, 2007Bmw motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. Bmw motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine fuels containing up to a maximum of 10% ethanol and imposes no warranty…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | 33% |
| 2013 | 3 | 50% |
| 2012 | 4 | 36% |
| 2011 | 16 | 80% |
| 2010 | 6 | 67% |
| 2009 | 20 | 56% |
| 2008 | 18 | 56% |
| 2007 | 37 | 71% |
| 2006 | 30 | 56% |
| 2005 | 22 | 69% |
Other parts of the 2005 BMW R1200 RT
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW R1200 RT
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