2007 BMW R1200 RT Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe cracked fuel pump flanges or quick-disconnect fittings that leak gasoline, with many reported under about 30,000 miles. Fuel gauge sensor strip failures, ABS pump failures that bring up a brake warning light, and final drive oil leaks or bearing play are the next most common themes. Reported complaints are trending down, and the fuel leak cases that give mileage range from about 6,500 to about 98,000 miles.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Cracked fuel pump flange or fitting leaks fuel

   • 26 complaints (50%)
   • median 27,050 mi at 6.0 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2021

   Owners describe cracks in the fuel pump housing, flange, or quick-disconnect fitting that let gasoline leak, often noticed through a fuel smell or fuel dripping after a ride. Several say the cracks were found during routine checks, and some describe fuel spraying onto the engine or exhaust and a fire risk. Owners say the problem is known to shops and forums, and some were told the remedy is a full pump replacement or an aftermarket clamp. Where mileage is given, these were reported between about 6,500 and 98,000 miles, and most were filed between 2011 and 2014.

   Recall 13V617000Recall 20V471000

   What to check: Check the fuel pump flange, the quick-disconnect fitting, and the area around them for cracks or fuel residue, and ask whether an earlier support-ring repair or pump replacement has been done. Ask for the status of the fuel pump recalls for the vehicle's VIN, since these recalls concern the same flange area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I was doing routine maintenance, I noticed several small cracks on the flange where the quick disconnect exits the tank. I used a ring clamp to close the cracks. I believe this to be potentially very dangerous, since leaking gasoline could easily run down the outside of the tank and end up on hot engine/exhaust parts, causing a fire...”

   NHTSA complaint #10485351, filed 2012-11, 29,500 miles

   “Riding down hwy 87a in az,,felt my left leg getting wet and smelled fuel,,pulled over on the side of the road and noticed fuel dripping on the ground,,trailered bike to my home,,remove the body panels and found the top fitting of the fuel pump cracked and spraying fuel,,,,I think im dam luck it did not ignite on the hot exhaust ,,,”

   NHTSA complaint #10433589, filed 2011-10, 46,354 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge sensor strip failures

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 39,287 mi at 6.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2016

   Owners describe the fuel gauge stopping or reading inaccurately, and some describe running out of fuel because the gauge stopped responding or still read half full. The usual repair reported is replacing the fuel level measuring strip, sometimes more than once, and one owner says the dealer declined warranty coverage for a repeat replacement. Some say the failure is a common problem across many models from the period. Where mileage is given, these were reported between about 10,000 and 93,000 miles, and most were filed between 2013 and 2016.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel level sensor strip has been replaced and how many times, and request the invoice for each replacement. Confirm during a ride that the fuel gauge tracks the tank level as expected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Yet another fuel level sensor strip [fuel gauge] failure. This is number 6. Now no longer covered and cost $350 to replace at the dealer - 250 miles from my home. I think this is a safety issue because here in the western us where it's possible to travel over 100 miles without seeing another smiling face, running out of fuel is a serious threat to your safety.”

   NHTSA complaint #10535046, filed 2013-08, 92,841 miles

   “The fuel sensor on my 2007 Bmw r 1200 rt failed while I was riding it causing the fuel gauge to read empty. This could cause a person to run out of gas at anytime. This has occurred to numerous other Bmw r bikes and is a problem Bmw is well aware of.”

   NHTSA complaint #10399489, filed 2011-05, 9,970 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS pump failure and brake warning light

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 22,540 mi at 7.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2015

   Owners describe a brake failure or ABS warning light coming on, with the ABS not working afterward, sometimes at highway speed. Diagnoses in complaints point to the ABS pump motor, its brushes, or the modulator, and some owners say the unit could not be repaired and needed replacement. Some say the dealer or manufacturer offered no recall or goodwill coverage, and one says a dealer predicted the fault would likely clear with more use. Where mileage is given, these were reported between about 230 and 48,000 miles, and most were under about 25,000 miles; one describes the light a few months after purchase.

   What to check: Check that the brake and ABS warning lights are off after startup, and ask for any fault code records for the ABS system. Confirm whether an ABS pump or modulator repair has been done, since owners describe these units as costly to replace.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “About 1 year ago, the 'brake failure light came on the dashboard of my Bmw r1200rt motorcycle. Even though the brakes seem to work fine, I pretty much stopped using the motorcycle because I was afraid of it. Because of inactivity, the engine wouldn't start so I rented a u-haul trailer and brought the bike to a Bmw dealer so they could get it running again. Because I hadn't used the bike for awhile, I forgot to tell them about the brake failure light. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10683489, filed 2015-02, 24,080 miles

   “When I began a ride the red ABS brake failure warning light came on and remained on. A shop read the code to determine the cause as ABS pump motor failure. I learned through on-line research that it is a common problem relating to poor design of the ABS pump motor brushes that fail to make good contact resulting in a low voltage situation and pump failure. The result - the ABS system does not work. The estimated cost of replacing the unit is approx. $2200. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10767426, filed 2015-09, 48,150 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Final drive oil leaks and rear wheel play

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 34,373 mi at 5.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2015

   Owners describe final drive oil leaking onto the rear brakes and tire, leaving the rear brakes non-functional or ABS inactive, and play in the final drive bearing or output shaft that lets the rear wheel move side to side. Some describe wobble or shimmy, and one describes rear wheel sway at highway speed. According to complaints, dealers found seal, bearing, and bevel gear failures that required final drive replacement, and one complaint says the same failure is under separate investigation. Where mileage is given, these were reported between about 30,000 and 48,000 miles, and all were filed between 2010 and 2015.

   What to check: Check the rear final drive for oil leaks and for play at the rear wheel, and ask whether the seal, bearing, or bevel gear has been inspected or replaced. Ask the seller for any final drive service records, since owners describe rear brake loss from oil leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Traveling to dealership to have unusual vibration in drive line checked. Riding along at 55 MPH when rear wheel of motorcycle began to sway as if tire was going flat. Hauled to dealer. Diagnosed as final drive crown bearing failure (essentially a rear wheel bearing). I feel fortunate not to have crashed!”

   NHTSA complaint #10493508, filed 2013-01, 46,315 miles

   “2007 Bmw r1200rt motorcycle with 34,900 miles on the odometer. The rear wheel flange had excessive play on the output shaft of the final drive, which caused the rear wheel the ability to move side to side approximately one quarter of an inch when discovered. The wheel flange had either been improperly fitted, or the wheel flange or output shaft had been machined incorrectly causing excessive wear. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10345022, filed 2010-07, 34,900 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to inspect the fuel pump flange and quick-disconnect fitting for cracks or fuel residue, and check whether the fuel pump recall repairs were completed. Ask for records of any fuel gauge sensor and ABS pump repairs, since the complaints also describe these.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.