BMW K1200 LT · model year

2005 BMW K1200 LT

22 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005BMWK1200 LT carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 K1200 LT is fuel system, gasoline with 9 filings, followed by power train:driveline (3) and suspension (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2005 K1200 LT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

22
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE3
SUSPENSION3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STEERING1
POWER TRAIN1
SERVICE BRAKES1

Recalls (2)

04V30400023/06/2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AN INCORRECT SEALING RING WAS MOUNTED TO THE PISTON OF THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

04V43800009/09/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AT LOWER TEMPERATURES, WIRING WITHIN THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROL UNIT MAY PRESS AGAINST THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CONTACTS COULD OPEN, INTERRUPTING THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN STALLING.

Recent Complaints

20150308CrashSUSPENSION

WHILE RIDING IN TO A LEFT HANDED CORNER THE FRONT RIGHT FRONT LEG BROKE STANDING THE MOTORCYCLE STRAIGHT UP AND SENDING ME AND THE BIKE INTO THE GUARDRAIL CAUSING A CRASH THAT I WAS LUCKY TO WALK AWAY FROM. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

20130306CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE BRAKES SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS LEFT LEG AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE BUT WERE UNAWARE OF CODE READING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE INFORMATION TO GERMANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.*TR

Mileage: 45,000

20120503POWER TRAIN

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *TR

Mileage: 23,200

20120206STEERING

THE UPPER THREADED PORTION OF THE SHAFT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BROKE OFF, WHICH IS THE CONNECTION POINT FROM THE LEADING LINK TO THE FRONT FORK BRIDGE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF BMW'S TELELEVER FRONT SUSPENSION. LOSS OF THIS CONNECTION POINT ALLOWS THE FRONT FORKS TO MOVE FRONT TO REAR CAUSING DANGEROUS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NORMAL OPERATION OF THE TELELEVER SUSPENSION EXERTS FORCES WHICH ARE LONGITUDINAL ALONG THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. THE BALL JOINT SHAFT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SIDEWAYS SHEAR FORCE, SO THE SHAFT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE METAL IN THE SHAFT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE IN ORDER FOR THE LONGITUDINAL FORCE ALONG THE SHAFT AXIS TO HAVE BROKEN OFF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 62,805

20120206SUSPENSION

THE UPPER THREADED PORTION OF THE SHAFT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BROKE OFF, WHICH IS THE CONNECTION POINT FROM THE LEADING LINK TO THE FRONT FORK BRIDGE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF BMW'S TELELEVER FRONT SUSPENSION. LOSS OF THIS CONNECTION POINT ALLOWS THE FRONT FORKS TO MOVE FRONT TO REAR CAUSING DANGEROUS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NORMAL OPERATION OF THE TELELEVER SUSPENSION EXERTS FORCES WHICH ARE LONGITUDINAL ALONG THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. THE BALL JOINT SHAFT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SIDEWAYS SHEAR FORCE, SO THE SHAFT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE METAL IN THE SHAFT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE IN ORDER FOR THE LONGITUDINAL FORCE ALONG THE SHAFT AXIS TO HAVE BROKEN OFF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. *TR

Mileage: 62,805

20111128FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE COUPLERS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,839.

Mileage: 14,839

20110820FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MAJOR GAS LEAK WHILE DRIVING - SPRAYED GAS ON RIGHT LEG AND FOOT. MY PANTS LEG, SOCK, AND SHOE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH GAS. DECIDED TO HAVE THE BIKE TOWED INSTEAD OF RISKING IT REPAIR PLACE SAID IT WAS THE PLASTIC GAS CONNECTOR AND HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO ORDER A METAL ONE. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE CHAT ROOMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 14,000

20091108POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

REAR WHEEL STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND AND SEEMED TO BE ON INSIDE OF ROTOR. THOUGHT IT WAS AN OCCLUSION IN THE CASTING BUT THE WHEEL BEARING RETAINER IN THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING WAS CONING OUT. UPON INSPECTION AT DEALER IT WAS FOUND THE BEARING HAD BEEN OBLITERATED WHEN THE BEARING MOVED FROM ITS SPOT INSIDE THE REAR HUB. DEALER WILL REPLACE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. *TR

Mileage: 91,236

20091108SUSPENSION

REAR WHEEL STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND AND SEEMED TO BE ON INSIDE OF ROTOR. THOUGHT IT WAS AN OCCLUSION IN THE CASTING BUT THE WHEEL BEARING RETAINER IN THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING WAS CONING OUT. UPON INSPECTION AT DEALER IT WAS FOUND THE BEARING HAD BEEN OBLITERATED WHEN THE BEARING MOVED FROM ITS SPOT INSIDE THE REAR HUB. DEALER WILL REPLACE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. *TR

Mileage: 91,236

20090913FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DURING A 12,000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS ADVISED BY A BMW SERVICE ADVISOR TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTORS ON MY 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE WITH METAL FUEL LINE CONNECTORS. THE REASON WAS THAT THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S EQUIPMENT OCCASIONALLY FAILS; AND THE COST TO ME TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS WAS MORE THAN $200. I DECLINED THE PURCHASE. WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DESERT, THE CONNECTOR FAILED AND SPRAYED GASOLINE ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND ON ME. I WAS AFRAID OF FIRE AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE HAULED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I PAID $450 TO TOW THE MOTORCYCLE AND $236.84 TO REPLACE THE FUEL QUICK RELEASE CONNECTORS. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND IS ATTEMPTING TO SELL THE CORRECTION RATHER THAN RECALLING AND REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART. I PAID TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS AFTER THEY FAILED. MY SAFETY WAS ENDANGERED AS A RESULT OF BMW'S ACTIONS. *TR

Mileage: 15,191

20090428POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

IN FOR 36,000 MILE SERVICE, REAR WHEEL LOOSE, HAD REAR END TORN DOWN, SMALLER BEARING RACE HAD SPUN ON SHAFT, ALL BEARINGS AND RACES APPEARED IN EXCELLENT CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS AS A LATENT DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY AS THE INNER RACE TO SHAFT IS TO BE AN INTERFERENCE FIT AND THE TAPERED ROLLER BEARING SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE OR LACK OF LUBRICATION. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN TO DOCUMENT CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

20090402FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PLASTIC FUEL CONNECTION FAILED ON FUEL TANK OF 2005 K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20081218FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LINE FITTING FAILURE ON 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. MALE FITTING FAILURE. DEALER KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHEN I DESCRIBED PROBLEM ON PHONE. DEALER SAID THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM ACROSS FULL LINE OF BIKES AND ALWAYS MALE FITTING FAILURE. MY BIKE HAD ONLY 19000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. WHEN FITTINGS FAIL GASOLINE POURS OUT OF RIGHT SIDE OF BIKE ONTO RIDERS SHOE AND PANTS AND ONTO ROAD. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I E-MAILED BMW USA AND NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY. COST OF REPAIR $192 SHOULD BE ON BMW FOR POOR ENGINEERING. *TR

Mileage: 19,130

20081110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR ON MY 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE IS DEFECTIVE AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE FLOATING POINTS ON THE ROTOR HAVE MELTED ALLOWING THE ROTOR TO MOVE IN ALL DIRECTIONS CAUSING THE ABS MODULATOR TO ACTIVATE ON ANY BRAKING. *TR

20080921FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FAILURE OF PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECTS IN FUEL LINE FROM FUEL TANK TO ENGINE. REPLACED WITH METAL QD'S AND NO PROBLEM SINCE..COULD BE FIRE HAZARD WHILE RIDING..VEHICLE IS A BMW 2005 K1200LT MODEL. FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROX. 30,000 MILES.. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20080810FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GASOLINE ON MY RIGHT SHOE WHEN I GOT TO WORK. INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARD LED ME TO CHECK THE QUICK DISCONNECT, WHICH FELL APART WHEN I MOVED IT. THE PLASTIC MALE COMPONENT OF THE QUICK DISCONNECT HAD BROKEN. *TR

Mileage: 33,500

20080728FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE GAS FUEL LINE STARTED SPRAYING GASOLINE OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COVER ONTO THE DRIVERS LEG. DEALER ADVISED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEFORE SEEING THE MOTORCYCLE. SHE SHOWED ME A DISPLAY ON HER DESK SHOWING A PLASTIC FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT VALVE AND A METAL ONE THAT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS PLASTIC PART SEEMS TO BE PROBLEMATIC. *TR

Mileage: 13,491

20080720POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON K1200LT WHILE RIDING ON I-5 IN DOWNTOWN LA CA. 31,000 MILES ON UNIT. BIKE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER IN SPARKS NV WHERE WARRANTY COVERED PART. CROWN BEARING CAGE DESTROYED NEW UNIT INSTALLED. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

20080613FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GASOLINE LEAK INTO RIGHT SHOE CAUSED BY CRACKED FUEL LINE PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECT. THERE ARE MANY INCIDENTS OF THIS FAILURE ON THE BMW LUXURY TOURING WEBSITE. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

20070919CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

ABS BRAKE FAILURE CRASH BMW K1200S MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED AN ABS SERVO BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN A CRASH ON A K1200S. I SIMPLY LIGHTLY CARESSED THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER ON A DRY ROAD WITH THE BIKE UPRIGHT AT MODEST SPEED AND THE FRONT BRAKES IMMEDIATELY LOCKED AND FAILED TO RELEASE EVEN AFTER THE BRAKE LEVER WAS RELEASED. I SURVIVED, JUST, BUT WITH VERY SERIOUS INJURIES I NEED TO HAVE THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY [WRITTEN OFF] BIKE INDEPENDENTLY TESTED SO THAT I MAY TACKLE BMW IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT FURTHER INJURY/DEATH TO OTHERS AS A RESULT OF THESE IMO LETHAL BRAKES. IS ANY BODY ABLE TO ASSIST IN THIS RESPECT? DOES ANY BODY KNOW OF A RESOURCE THAT HAS LOGGED SIMILAR INCIDENCES [I.E. BRAKE FAILURES ON ABS SERVO EQUIPPED BMWS], THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT FOR EXAMPLE? ALL ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED. *TR

Compare 2005BMWK1200 LT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 BMW K1200 LT have?
The 2005 BMW K1200 LT has 22 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 BMW K1200 LT?
Yes, the 2005 BMW K1200 LT has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW K1200 LT?
The most-complained component for the 2005 BMW K1200 LT is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2005 BMW K1200 LT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.