Total Complaints
13 filings
BMW R 1200 R · model year
13 NHTSA complaints, and 6 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The verdict
The 2008 BMW R 1200 R posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
The 2008BMWR 1200 R carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2008 R 1200 R is fuel/propulsion system with 5 filings, followed by service brakes (4) and fuel system, gasoline (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2008 R 1200 R. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
Total Complaints
13 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 THROUGH 2009 R 1200 AND K 1200 SERIES MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2006 THROUGH MAY 2009. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, AND THEREFORE ASSOCIATED VIBRATION. THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the aux
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BMW IS RECALLING 4,922 MY 2007-2008 R1200R, MY 2006-2007 R1200 GS, MY 2007 R1200 ST, AND MY 2008 R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
BMW IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 R1200 R, R1200 GS, AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE SHAFT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE.
THE FUEL TANK {FROM THE INSIDE OUT} AT THE FILLER HOLE HAS MASSIVE CORROSION RENDERING THE TANK USELESS. FUEL HAS THE ABILITY TO LEAK AN LEAK SUBSTANIALLY WHEN THE BIKE IS IN MOTION. FUME LEAKAGE READILY APPARENT AS WELL. PER THE CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC AN THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR AND I AGREE THE FUEL TANK IS USELESS DUE TO MASSIVE PRE-MATURE CORROSION AN DEGRADATION OF THE TANK ITSELF. NOTE THAT THE MOTORCYCLE IS MAINTAINED UNDER A CARPORT AND ALWAYS OUT OF THE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE WITH BMW AND OF COURSE BMW HAS A HISTORY AS YALL WELL KNOW OF REFUSING TO STEP UP AN CORRECT DESIGN FAILURES UNLIKE OTHER COMPANIES SUCH AS TOYOTA. THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE WHEN THE WELL DOCUMENTED FUEL STRIP FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE 3RD STRIP WAS BEING INSTALLED. HOLES THE SIZE OF A POSTAGE STAMP AND "ROTTEN PAPER THIN" DEGRADATED METAL UNDERNEATH THE FILLER CAP IS EASILY TOTALLY DETAECTABLE. PER BMW THE TANK IS USELESS AN THERE IS NO FIX UNDER THAN REPLACEMENT- AND GET THIS PER THE BMW DEALER QUO
Mileage: 54,000
FUEL PUMP FLANGE LEAKING DUE TO CRACKING. BMW'S 1ST FACTORY ATTEMPT WAS TO PUT A "SIZING" RING ON FLANGE TO COMPRESS THE MICRO CRACKS WHICH OF COURSE WAS A JACKLEG APPROACH QUITE COMMON TO BMW MOTORCYCLES. EVENTUALLY WITH IN 1 YR FUEL STARTED MASSIVELY FLOWING DOWN ONTO HOT ENGINE MAKING THE BIKE A ROLLING FIREBALL POTENTIALLY.
Mileage: 54,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 R. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,210. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THIS FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE THREE OR FOUR MODEL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. UPDATED 11/16/2015*JS
Mileage: 16,210
THE ABS PUMP FAILED DISABLING THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. I WAS AT THE DEALER AND ANOTHER CYCLIST WAS ALSO THERE WITH HIS 2008 BMW R1200R WITH EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. APPARENTLY THESE ABS PUMPS ARE FAILING AT AN UNUSUAL RATE. IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE RIDING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 3,900
ABS MODULE SUDDENLY QUIT, RENDERING THE ABS FUNCTION INOPERABLE. *JS
Mileage: 40,000
FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND READS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. *TR
Mileage: 6,800
LOW FUEL WARNING LAMP DID NOT COME ON LEADING TO ME RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. FUEL GAUGE INDICATED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK (3 BARS) BUT WAS INACCURATE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION SINCE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM RUNNING OUT OF FUEL CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE. THE "FUEL STRIP" (PER BMW NOMENCLATURE) FAILS CAUSING FUEL GAUGE TO READ INACCURATELY AND RENDERING LOW FUEL WARNING LAMP INOPERATIVE. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON MANY BMW MOTORCYCLE MODELS FROM 2005-2013. *TR
Mileage: 4,900
FROM THE DEALER'S REPAIR ORDER DESCRIPTION: "THE CUSTOMER REPORTS THE FUEL GAUGE READS LOW (LIGHT ON) WHEN FULL AND READS FULL WHEN EMPTY. ALSO THE RESIDUAL RANGE TO ZERO COUNTS DOWN FROM 253 TO THREE DASHES IN ABOUT THREE MILES AFTER EVERY FILL-UP." FUEL LEVEL SENDER PART 16147697815 REPLACED. *TR
Mileage: 4,252
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,100. ...UPDATED 10/10/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS LOSS OF BRAKING, WHEN THE ABS PUMP FAILED.
Mileage: 41,100
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,100. ...UPDATED 10/10/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS LOSS OF BRAKING, WHEN THE ABS PUMP FAILED.
Mileage: 41,100
MY 2008 BMW R1200R MOTORCYCLE FUEL GAUGE CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION OR DOES NOT WORK. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. MERGING WITH HIGH SPEED HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC IN THE DC AREA CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU RUN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FUEL GAUGE ERROR. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE. MY BROTHER HAS HID GAUGE CHANGED ON HIS BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE AT LEAST 5 TIMES. *TR
Mileage: 6,000
THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS FUEL REMAINING AND THE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT ON AND THE ENGINE RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND DIES WITH NO WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MY BIKE AND TO MY SISTERS BIKE. MY FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AFTER I RAN OUT. BMW REPAIRED MINE AND IT WORKS OK NOW. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM DISCUSSED REPEATEDLY IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS. *TR
Mileage: 1,200
THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS FUEL REMAINING AND THE WARNING LIGHT IS NOT ON AND THE ENGINE RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND DIES WITH NO WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MY BIKE AND TO MY SISTERS BIKE. MY FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AFTER I RAN OUT. BMW REPAIRED MINE AND IT WORKS OK NOW. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM DISCUSSED REPEATEDLY IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS. *TR
Mileage: 1,200
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2008 BMW R 1200 R; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.