2011 BMW R1200 RT Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 26,622miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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 2011 BMW R1200 RT (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW R1200 RT. The part named most often is fuel system, with 16 complaints (80% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 26,622 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 18 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.
- Fuel system16 80%
- Electrical system2 10%
- Engine2 10%
- Exterior lighting2 10%
- Other or unknown1 5.0%
- Suspension1 5.0%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “On august 23, 2017, I started my motorcycle and left my home for a ride. A short time into the ride I noticed the smell of gasoline. I found a place to pull over to check out the issue. When I stopped I saw gasoline flowing down on the left side of the motorcycle onto the ground, just past the exhaust pipe and onto my left riding boot. I immediately returned home slowly to check out the leak. When I removed the upper left side of the motorcycle, I saw gasoline puddling around the top of the fuel pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11020121, filed 2017-08, 31,588 milesElectrical system: “The combination engine run / start switch does no engage in the run position during hot days, thus not allowing the engine to start. After cooling the switch down with an instant cooling compound (in this case superfreeze 2000 from leonard industrial supply) the switch would engage, but then disconnect again. The danger is that if it disconnects while driving the engine will cut-off without being able to restart it.”
NHTSA complaint #10715513, filed 2015-05, 9,000 milesEngine: “Throttle cable bell cranks/cams crack due to poor quality plastic material. This causes motorcycle to suddenly lose power as the hand throttle no longer works and engine returns to idle RPM. This is a serious safety hazard as failure can occur while entering traffic, turning thru traffic, or traveling on a high speed roadway with no area to pull off. These cracks, (and impending failure of the parts), were discovered by service personnel during service work.”
NHTSA complaint #11408223, filed 2021-04, 23,494 milesExterior lighting: “The left combination switch on the vehicle has failed 4 times. The left combination switch controls the high beam lights, turn signals, horn, cruise control, and numerous other items. The four failures have included failure of the high beam switch twice, the turn signal switch twice, the horn once, and cruise control once.”
NHTSA complaint #10435099, filed 2011-11, 2,080 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 17,000 and 37,500 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.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V060000Feb 8, 2021Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: BMW R1200 RT 2011–2014, K 1600 GTL 2011–2014, K1300 S 2011–2014 +7 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak…
- 20V471000Aug 10, 2020Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: BMW R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011, R1200 GS Adventure 2005–2011 +13 more
BMW 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 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL)…
- 13V617000Dec 12, 2013Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: BMW R1200 RT 2005–2011, R1200 GS 2005–2011, R1200 GS Adventure 2006–2011 +12 more
BMW 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 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected…
Recall details for the 2011 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. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10248094Dec 13, 2023Transmission and drivetrain. Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance…
- 10245433Nov 13, 2023Fuel system. BMW 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 series motorcycles.
- 10236237Apr 24, 2023Transmission and drivetrain. Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
- 10228448Nov 8, 2022Brakes. BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.
- 10218351Jul 28, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts of the driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
- 10214997May 13, 2022Electrical system. Battery empty despite charger.
- 10204679Sep 3, 2021Electrical system. BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly secured in the holder by the threaded fasteners.
- 10201170Jul 13, 2021Electrical system. When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
- 10200269Jun 17, 2021Electrical system. The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
Other model years of the BMW R1200 RT
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | 5,142 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 6 | 28,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 11 | 20,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 20 | 26,622 | 3 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 9 | 28,050 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 36 | 29,422 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2008 | 32 | 17,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 52 | 27,456 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 54 | 22,500 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 32 | 34,350 | 5 | — | — | 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 2011 BMW R1200 RT have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW R1200 RT as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 BMW R1200 RT is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 16 complaints (80% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 2011 BMW R1200 RT 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 RT reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 26,622 miles and the middle half falls between 17,000 and 37,500 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 28, 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.