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BMW R1200 RTModel year report

2008 BMW R1200 RT Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
17,000miles, 27 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW R1200 RT (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 RT. The part named most often is fuel system, with 18 complaints (56% of the total), followed by brakes (7) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 27 of the complaints include a mileage, and 96% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 56 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: “This series of motorcycles has a common problem with cracks in the throttle pulleys on the throttle body. Failure of this plastic part will result in instant loss of power. I have been reading about this problem, and decided to inspect the two throttle bodies on my motorcycle as a precaution. Both of mine were cracked. One of the pulleys has three cracks in it, and would likely have failed within a short time. See photos included with this report.”

NHTSA complaint #11202929, filed 2019-04, 42,000 miles

Brakes: “Abs pump motor is failing on many of the same model bikes and some other 2006-2008 model Bmw bikes with low mileage, because the brush holders in the ABS electrical motor are too tight and brushes get stuck in them - bad design of the ABS pump motor. Bmw will ask you loads of monies for the replacement of the pump, even tho they are fully aware it's a problem with many of the bikes.”

NHTSA complaint #11131018, filed 2018-09, 30,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I was riding along at about 50 MPH when the motorcycle began experiencing a lack of stability and directional control. It felt like I had a flat tire. At the same time there was loud rumbling and a vibration felt throughout the bike.”

NHTSA complaint #10621168, filed 2014-08, 16,855 miles

Electrical system: “Vehicle began exhibiting engine stalling symptoms for about a month (engine dies without warning as if ignition had been cut) during city driving, while turning and pulling into a parking space at about 5 MPH, the vehicle engine quit along with instrument panel going blank. Electrical smoke began to billow between the front forks. This lasted for about 10 seconds. After getting the vehicle home, I discovered that the fire appeared to have originated in the ignition wiring harness somewhere between the front forks. The harness wrap appears to have friction wear indications exposing bare wiring. …”

NHTSA complaint #10968858, filed 2017-03, 35,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

96% of the 27 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,520 and 29,000 miles.

30%0–1030%10–2537%25–504%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (27 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 17,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2010720132015201720192022
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 2008 BMW R1200 RT → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 56 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 56 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW R1200 RT

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201465,1423———Not enough data
2013628,5001———Not enough data
20121120,0001———Not enough data
20112026,6223———Falling
2010928,0503———Not enough data
20093629,4225——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20083217,0005——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20075227,4565——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20065422,5006——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20053234,3505——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW R1200 RT model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW R1200 RT have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW R1200 RT as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 BMW R1200 RT is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 18 complaints (56% of the total), followed by brakes with 7.

Has the 2008 BMW R1200 RT been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 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 2008 BMW R1200 RT reported?

Among the 27 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,000 miles and the middle half falls between 8,520 and 29,000 miles; 96% 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.