BMW K1200RS · model year

2002 BMW K1200RS

21 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002BMWK1200RS carries 21 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, 6 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 2002 K1200RS is fuel system, gasoline with 4 filings, followed by power train:driveline:differential unit (3) and fuel/propulsion system (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.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2002 K1200RS. 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.

21
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 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, GASOLINE4
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
TIRES2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
SERVICE BRAKES2
SUSPENSION:REAR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
EQUIPMENT1
CHILD SEAT1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recent Complaints

20160302FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW K1200RS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED DAILY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Mileage: 28,000

20151212SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE RIDING THE BIKE A FEW DAYS AGO, THE ABS FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON. I SHUT THE BIKE OFF, AND RESTARTED TO ATTEMPT TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THIS DID NOT WORK. LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN STARTING THE BIKE UP,...THE ABS WAS FUNCTIONING, FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THEN THE FAILURE LIGHTS AGAIN CAME ON AND HAVE CONSTANTLY STAYED ON SINCE. THE BIKE IS A 2002 AND HAS JUST TURNED 33,000 MILES. I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSHED ABOUT A YEAR AGO IN HOPES IT WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW BIKES OF THIS PERIOD,...ESPECIALLY THE BIKES IN THE "K" FAMILY. BMW DEALERS CHARGE $2200 TO REPLACE THE UNIT, WITH ANOTHER IDENTICAL UNIT, WHICH IS KNOWN TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, AND BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ISN'T IT TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? I RIDE BMW MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE THEY HAVE ABS BRAKES. THIS IS THE SECOND BMW K1200 THAT I HAVE OWNED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS,.....THE ABS FAILED ON THE FIRST ONE AS WELL.

Mileage: 33,000

20151212VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE RIDING THE BIKE A FEW DAYS AGO, THE ABS FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON. I SHUT THE BIKE OFF, AND RESTARTED TO ATTEMPT TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THIS DID NOT WORK. LATER IN THE DAY, WHEN STARTING THE BIKE UP,...THE ABS WAS FUNCTIONING, FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THEN THE FAILURE LIGHTS AGAIN CAME ON AND HAVE CONSTANTLY STAYED ON SINCE. THE BIKE IS A 2002 AND HAS JUST TURNED 33,000 MILES. I HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSHED ABOUT A YEAR AGO IN HOPES IT WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW BIKES OF THIS PERIOD,...ESPECIALLY THE BIKES IN THE "K" FAMILY. BMW DEALERS CHARGE $2200 TO REPLACE THE UNIT, WITH ANOTHER IDENTICAL UNIT, WHICH IS KNOWN TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, AND BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ISN'T IT TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? I RIDE BMW MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE THEY HAVE ABS BRAKES. THIS IS THE SECOND BMW K1200 THAT I HAVE OWNED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS,.....THE ABS FAILED ON THE FIRST ONE AS WELL.

Mileage: 33,000

20140713TIRES

I PUT SHENKO MOTORCYCLE TIRES ON MY 2002 BMW MOTORCYCLE. AFTER ABOUT 3000 MILES THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE BASE. I COMPLAINED TO SHENKO AND THE DEALER I PURCHASED THEM FROM. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION ON A MOTORCYCLE WITH A PASSENGER. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THIS PROBLEM IS MORE COMMON THAN IT SHOULD BE. SHENKO SHOULD NOT BE SELLING INFERIOR AND LIFE ENDANGERING PRODUCTS IN THE USA. PLEASE RESPOND AND LOOK INTO THE QUALITY OF THIS IMPORTED PRODUCT, THERE WILL BE DEATHS IN THE FUTURE WITH THIS TIRE. I CAN SUPPLY PHOTOS IF YOU LIKE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20130513FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STARTED MY BMW K1200RS AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE. NOTICED A SPRAY EMANATING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE ABOVE THE VALVE COVE. SHUT THE BIKE DOWN AND CHECKED FOR THE LEAK. FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING WAS CRACKED ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY OUT IN A FINE MIST. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE IF THE BIKE HAD BEEN HOT. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW MOTORCYCLES AND IS NOT LIMITED TO MY MODEL OR YEAR. BMW HAS NOT SEEN FIT TO RECALL THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE REDESIGNED THE COUPLING. THE FUEL LINE IS PRESSURIZED AT 100PSI SO THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CATASTROPHIC EVENT IS HIGH. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20130513FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO MY FIRST REPORT OF THIS DATE. BMW APPARENTLY CONDUCTED A RECALL (04V-028) FOR LEAKS WITH THIS COUPLING, HOWEVER THE RECALL ADDRESSED LEAKS FROM THE QUICK DISCONNECT O-RING AND THE HOSE CLAMPS. IN THIS CASE THE BODY OF THE PLASTIC MALE END OF THE COUPLING INITIALLY CRACKS AND THEN SEPARATES ALLOWING FUEL UNDER 100 PSI TO FLOW DOWN THE ENGINE AND THEN TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE BIKE. THERE WAS ONE REPORT OF A FIRE AND AN INJURY FROM THE PREVIOUS RECALL. HERE WE HAVE A LEAK OCCURRING FROM THE SAME FITTING WITH THE SAME POTENTIAL. INITIALLY BMW REPLACED THIS FITTING WITH THE SAME ORIGINAL PART ONLY TO FIND THAT THE FITTING FAILED AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PLAGUE BMW RIDERS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT APPEARS THAT THE NTSB'S INITIAL INVESTIGATION WAS SUSPENDED WHEN THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO A RECALL BACK IN THE 2004/5 TIME FRAME, THUS THE PARTICULARS OF THIS PROBLEM WHERE NOT FORTHCOMING, AND THE FULL NATURE OF THE DEFECT NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

20130213SERVICE BRAKES

SLOWING DOWN TO STOP ABS BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. FRONT ABS STILL WORKS BUT REAR WENT OUT. TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER SERVICE TECH SAYS HAD TO REPLACE A LOT OF ABS UNITS IN THE PAST BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THIS PART IS 2332.00 PLUS LABOR. *TR

Mileage: 13,101

20090918FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS WITHIN A FUEL LINE COUPLING SYSTEM. THE O-RINGS WITHIN THE COUPLING SYSTEM, WHICH HELP TO SEAL THE COUPLING, WERE EATEN AWAY AND GASOLINE SPRAYS OUT OF THE COUPLING. THIS LEAKING SPRAY OCCURS WHENEVER THE MACHINE IS TURNED ON, OR RUNNING, AS THE FUEL PUMP JUST KEEPS PUMPING FUEL OUT OF THE LEAK. CONSEQUENCES COULD BE A FIRE IF THE LEAK HAPPENS AT SPEED OUT ON THE ROAD, AND THE OPERATOR IS UNAWARE THAT THE GASOLINE IS BEING SPRAYED ALL OVER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS OF YET-I AM RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM FOR A COMPETENT FIX. *TR

Mileage: 42,863

20090810FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MALE END OF FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT BROKE, SPRAYING FUEL. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS COMMON, AND THAT MINE HAD A PLASTIC MALE END, AND THAT A REPLACEMENT MALE END WAS AVAILABLE FOR TWENTY SOMETHING DOLLARS AND WAS BEING USED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON LATER MODEL BIKES.. FOR ME THIS ENDED WELL. I NOTICED IT AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE GARAGE. THERE ARE TWO QUICK DISCONNECTS AND I PLAN ON REPLACING BOTH MALE ENDS WITH THE NEW IMPROVED MODELS. MINE ALSO DID NOT BREAK OFF ENTIRELY, BUT CRACKED AND SPRAYED A THIN STREAM OF FUEL THROUGH HOLE IN THE BODY WORK. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR DISASTER HOWEVER, SINCE BOTH CONNECTORS ARE BEHIND BODY WORK. AND ARE LIKELY TO FILL THE BELLY PAN WITH FUEL WITH AN ENSUING FIRE, PARTICULARLY IF THE END BREAKS OFF ENTIRELY. MY BIKE HAS ALWAYS BEEN RIDDEN CONSERVATIVELY ON PAVED ROADS: I DON'T THINK THAT THE DISCONNECTS WERE SUBMITTED TO ANY UNUSUAL STRESS. I SUSPECT FATIGUE AND AGING OF THE PLASTIC CONTRIBUTED TO ITS FAILURE.

Mileage: 14,000

20090505FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 BMW K1200RS MOTORCYCLE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING FAILED WHILE IN USE CAUSING FUEL UNDER HIGH PRESSURE TO LEAK OUT ONTO HOT ENGINE & RIDER'S RIGHT LEG, RISKING FIRE, CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH. OWNER AT OWN EXPENSE AND TIME REPLACED ALL FOUR COUPLINGS AND CLAMPS, TWO MALE AND TWO FEMALE. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 20,100

20071013FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FAILURE OF FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT. THIS WAS A RECALL AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL THAT FAILED WITH THE SAME KIND THAT FAILED AGAIN. THIS REPRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD FOR ALL OWNERS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN. *TR

20070319FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

1;EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION - GAGE READING VS. MILEAGE DRIVEN. HEAVY GASOLINE ODOR WHEN STOPPED, SEVERE GASOLINE LEAK. 2; MECHANICAL FAILURE OF FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING ON FUEL RETURN LINE - - CRACKED FITTING. 3; CARRIED OUT ROADSIDE REPAIR. REMOVED FAULTY FITTING AND REPLACED WITH STRAIGHT CONNECTOR AND CLAMPS.

Mileage: 26,429

20060405POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

ON MARCH 6, 2006, I STARTED RIDING MY 2002 BMW K1200RS AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE FELT NOT QUITE RIGHT. STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I CHECKED AIR PRESSURE, LUG NUTS TIGHT AND LOOKED FOR ANY FLUID LEAKS. EVERYTHING APPEARED OK. I ALSO GRABBED THE REAR TIRE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS ANY PLAY IN THE REAR END. THERE WAS NONE. I CONTINUED ON. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE MOTORCYCLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE AND IT FELT LIKE THE REAR WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WITHOUT CRASHING. I THEN NOTICED FLUID LEAKING ALL OVER THE REAR END OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND ON THE REAR WHEEL AND REAR BRAKE. THE FLUID WAS CLEARLY LEAKING OUT OF THE REAR DRIVE. THE MILEAGE ON MY MOTORCYCLE WAS JUST OVER 33,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE RIDER BEHIND ME TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE MY REAR WHEEL WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PUT ON A TRAILER AND TAKEN TO BMW OF FORT WORTH WHERE THE REAR END WAS REPLACED

Mileage: 33,200

20040606CrashTIRES

ROAD DEFECT ON BRIDGE ON I-70 WHERE IT CROSSES I-270 JUST WEST OF ST. LOUIS, MO. DRIVING IN THE RAIN WE HIT A METAL JOINT THAT RUNS LENGTHWISE WITH THE BRIDGE IN THE RIGHT TIRE GROOVE OF THE LEFT HAND LANE. BEING RECESSED INTO THE ROAD, BEING METAL, AND NOT VISIBLE UNTIL WITHIN ABOUT 40 FEET OF THE OBJECT, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS AND IN OUR CASE RETAIN CONTROL OF A MOTORCYCLE WHEN IT IS RAINING. JUST SOME APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT. THE TOWING COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE MANY MOTORCYCLE CRASHES AT THIS LOCATION EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO KEEP SOMEONE ELSE FROM HAVING THE SAME RESULTS AS WE DID. THANK YOU *AK

20040606CrashEQUIPMENT

ROAD DEFECT ON BRIDGE ON I-70 WHERE IT CROSSES I-270 JUST WEST OF ST. LOUIS, MO. DRIVING IN THE RAIN WE HIT A METAL JOINT THAT RUNS LENGTHWISE WITH THE BRIDGE IN THE RIGHT TIRE GROOVE OF THE LEFT HAND LANE. BEING RECESSED INTO THE ROAD, BEING METAL, AND NOT VISIBLE UNTIL WITHIN ABOUT 40 FEET OF THE OBJECT, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS AND IN OUR CASE RETAIN CONTROL OF A MOTORCYCLE WHEN IT IS RAINING. JUST SOME APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT. THE TOWING COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE MANY MOTORCYCLE CRASHES AT THIS LOCATION EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO KEEP SOMEONE ELSE FROM HAVING THE SAME RESULTS AS WE DID. THANK YOU *AK

20040606CrashCHILD SEAT

ROAD DEFECT ON BRIDGE ON I-70 WHERE IT CROSSES I-270 JUST WEST OF ST. LOUIS, MO. DRIVING IN THE RAIN WE HIT A METAL JOINT THAT RUNS LENGTHWISE WITH THE BRIDGE IN THE RIGHT TIRE GROOVE OF THE LEFT HAND LANE. BEING RECESSED INTO THE ROAD, BEING METAL, AND NOT VISIBLE UNTIL WITHIN ABOUT 40 FEET OF THE OBJECT, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS AND IN OUR CASE RETAIN CONTROL OF A MOTORCYCLE WHEN IT IS RAINING. JUST SOME APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ACCIDENT. THE TOWING COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE MANY MOTORCYCLE CRASHES AT THIS LOCATION EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO KEEP SOMEONE ELSE FROM HAVING THE SAME RESULTS AS WE DID. THANK YOU *AK

20040511SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE LINE CRACKED. *AK

20030814CrashPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

COMMON REAR-END FAILURE IN BMW MOTORCYCLES. *AK

Mileage: 7,600

20030726SUSPENSION:REAR

REAR END FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 12,500

20030506FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HESITATES SEVERELY JUST ABOVE AN IDLE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENS ONLY DURING HOT WEATHER AND IS OBVIOUSLY A FUEL SCHEDULING PROBLEM ENGINEERED INTO THE VEHICLE. MANY OTHERS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***763168

Mileage: 35,400

Compare 2002BMWK1200RS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 BMW K1200RS have?
The 2002 BMW K1200RS has 21 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW K1200RS?
The most-complained component for the 2002 BMW K1200RS is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2002 BMW K1200RS 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.