BMW K1200LT · model year

2003 BMW K1200LT

26 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003BMWK1200LT carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 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 2003 K1200LT is power train with 8 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and unknown or other (2). 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.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2003 K1200LT. 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.

26
Complaints
2
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE1
SERVICE BRAKES1
SUSPENSION1

Recent Complaints

20210408POWER TRAIN

DRIVE SHAFT HAD BREAK, DANGEROUS. CAUSED THE FINAL DRIVE GEARS TO BREAK, DANGEROUS. ON THE ROAD.

Mileage: 107,000

20210408POWER TRAIN

CLUTCH PLATE CRACKED. HAD TO REPLACE ALL PARTS TO THE FINAL DRIVE

Mileage: 87,770

20210406SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.

Mileage: 103,684

20210406POWER TRAIN

BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.

Mileage: 103,684

20210406SUSPENSION

BRAKE LINES LEAKING AND REPLACED. $1002. IN REPAIRS. FINAL DRIVE LEAKING AND ALL GEAR DAMAGED.

Mileage: 103,684

20210406FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2003 BMW K1200LTC TOURING MOTORCYCLE, WENT UP IN MASSIVE FLAMES AND A SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION, WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING / IDLING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES. FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED 10 MINUTES LATER, AND BATTELLED THE FLAMED FOR 7 MORE MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH IT. LUCKILY NO PERSONAL INJURY, BUT SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT. INITIAL WHITE SMOKE, AND FLAMES OBSERVED AT THE FUEL-RAIL ABOVE THE ENGINE FRONT, LEFT HAND SIDE.

Mileage: 42,600

20201209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 BMW K1200LT BURNED TO ASHES ON 12-08-2020. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE FROM FRONT. FLAMES IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE. RECENT SERVICES- FEB 2020, INCLUDED REPLACING QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINES WITH NEW METAL UPGRADES, AFTER FUEL LEAK DETECTED. 42K MILES. HUGE FIRE. EXTREME DANGER WARNING.

Mileage: 42,600

20201209FireENGINE

2003 BMW K1200LT BURNED TO ASHES ON 12-08-2020. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE FROM FRONT. FLAMES IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE. RECENT SERVICES- FEB 2020, INCLUDED REPLACING QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINES WITH NEW METAL UPGRADES, AFTER FUEL LEAK DETECTED. 42K MILES. HUGE FIRE. EXTREME DANGER WARNING.

Mileage: 42,600

20201209FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2003 BMW K1200LT BURNED TO ASHES ON 12-08-2020. CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AFTER RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE FROM FRONT. FLAMES IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT OF ENGINE. RECENT SERVICES- FEB 2020, INCLUDED REPLACING QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINES WITH NEW METAL UPGRADES, AFTER FUEL LEAK DETECTED. 42K MILES. HUGE FIRE. EXTREME DANGER WARNING.

Mileage: 42,600

20140620FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE RIDING, FUEL BEGAN POURING OUT OVER MY RIGHT FOOT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECTS (USED FOR REMOVING THE FUEL TANK) DETERIORATED BECAUSE THEY ARE PLASTIC (THE PLASTIC PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED--THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOW METAL). MY DEALER REPLACED THE DISCONNECTS WITH THE NEW, METAL PART. *TR

Mileage: 50,737

20130623CrashPOWER TRAIN

THE FINAL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE, CAUSE CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL, EJECTION FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE MACHINE. THE RIDER SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES, MOSTLY ABRASIONS AND BRUISES, AND BROKEN BONES. THE TIRE PRESSURES AND FINAL DRIVE FLUID LEVEL HAD BEEN CHECKED THAT DAY, AND WERE CORRECT. A $10,000 MACHINE WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF A CHEAP PART THAT IS A KNOWN DEFECT, HAS OCCURRED OVER AND OVER, AND BMW HAS NOT BEEN ORDERED TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

Mileage: 33,245

20120705POWER TRAIN

FELT A STRANGE VIBRATION. EXITED THE ROAD AT THE NEXT EXIT ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. UPON SLOWING BELOW 20 MPH, THE VIBRATION INCREASED. BRAKING WAS DIMINISHED AND USED DOWN SHIFTING. PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE. FOUND OIL RUNNING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE DOWN THE BRAKE ROTOR AND RIM/TIRE. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER. DEALER SAID THE FINAL DRIVE BEARINGS HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PRE-2004 FINAL DRIVES, THE DEALER REPLACED WITH A FINAL DRIVE FROM A 2006. *TR

Mileage: 31,555

20120206POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 BMW K1200 LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE VEHICLE SEIZE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BEARINGS, O-RINGS, AND REAR WHEEL SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,876.

Mileage: 30,876

20120204POWER TRAIN

BMW K1200LT 2003 MOTORCYLE I PURCHASED USED WITH 8700 MILES ON THE BIKE. AT 18646 HAVING ALL THE MAINTENANCE DONE BY THE DEALER, I EXPERIENCED A RUMBLING SOUND TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I PULLED OVER THINKING IT MIGHT BE A BAD TIRE AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING ON THE REAR TIRE/RIM. OIL ON THE REAR BRAKES DID HAMPER MY SLOWING DOWN. BMW REPAIRED THE FINAL DRIVE SAYING THE OUTSIDE BEARING FAILED CAUSING THE OIL SEAL TO FAIL. AT 25,423 MILES THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A HIGH PRICED BIKE AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH I BELIEVE NOW THAT IT WASN'T ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY AND DURING THE REPAIR NO CHANGE ON THE NEW BEARING WAS DONE SO IT FAILED A SECOND TIME. I FINALLY PURCHASED A USED FINAL DRIVE TO CONTINUE RIDING. I NOW HAVE 129,025 ON THE BIKE AND THE USED FINAL DRIVE IS STILL PERFORMING OK SO THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL DRIVE ON THIS BIKE. A NEW FINAL DRIVE WASN'T IN MY BUDGET. I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN IN A HARD CURVE WHEN THIS

Mileage: 18,646

20120203POWER TRAIN

I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE KENTUCKY PARKWAY I FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION AND SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I SLOWED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR TIRE I FOUND A LOT OF GEAR OIL ON THE TIRE, RIM, AND REAR DRIVE. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOSE TRACTION AND CRASH. *KB

Mileage: 143,740

20100901FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS QUICK RELEASE FUEL LINES THAT ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND THEY BREAK EASILY. IF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THEY BREAK, GAS WOULD LEAK ONTO THE DRIVER AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LINES, ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS PURCHASED THAT THE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21740 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21740. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 11/28/2011 *LN

Mileage: 21,740

20090401FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SMELL FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING. FUEL SPRAY ON MY RIGHT BOOT. REMOVED SIDE FAIRING, STARTED ENGINE AND NOTICED FUEL SPRAYING FROM PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTOR. REPLACED PLASTIC CONNECTOR WITH BRASS.*TR

Mileage: 21,050

20080211POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. LOSS OF HYPOID FLUID CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL ON MOTORCYCLE. WAS ABLE TO STAY UPRIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 77,461

20060911CrashPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

20060831POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

BMW 0703 K1200LTC MOTORCYCLE REAR END FAILED AT LESS THAN 19,000 MILES CREATING A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY. HOWEVER BY HEARING THE GEAR NOISE IN TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE BEFORE THE REAR SEAL ALLOWED OIL OUT OF THE REAR END. SO IT HAD TO BE A BEARING FAILURE IN MY OPINION. AT THIS TIME NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM

Mileage: 18,869

Compare 2003BMWK1200LT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 BMW K1200LT have?
The 2003 BMW K1200LT has 26 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW K1200LT?
The most-complained component for the 2003 BMW K1200LT is POWER TRAIN with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2003 BMW K1200LT 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.