BMW R 1200 RT · model year

2005 BMW R 1200 RT

12 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005BMWR 1200 RT carries 12 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.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 R 1200 RT is fuel system, gasoline with 3 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump (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. 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 R 1200 RT. 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.

12
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

12 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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, GASOLINE3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STRUCTURE1
ENGINE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recalls (2)

13V61700012/12/2013

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

15V14100011/03/2015

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

Recent Complaints

20230325FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2005 BMW r1200rt that I have owned since 2016 with little to no issue. Leak from winter storage in the front left side of the engine. It matches a thread of a cracked fuel pump. With your site they submitted the problem under JBN1-18051. Also under a complaint number 10428629. I wish to know if it is a issue that is a recall or something I can submit for BMW to take care of, or if I will need to get fixed myself. I saw that riding with it can result in fuel landing on the ride during transit making it dangerous to ride.

20210928FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 2005 BMW R 1200 RT. The contact stated while starting the motorcycle and it began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle was not drivable. The motorcycle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was repaired. The contact stated that on 7/2021, he noticed fuel leaking from the fuel pump onto the engine. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The motorcycle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V617000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Mileage: 52,000

20210424ENGINE

CRACKED THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CONNECTIONS TO BOTH THROTTLE BODY THROTTLE CONTROL SHAFTS. IF THIS FAILS, THE THROTTLES RETURN TO IDLE WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL. I NEED TO REPAIR PRIOR TO TRAVEL USE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION.

Mileage: 32,000

20210424VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRACKED THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CONNECTIONS TO BOTH THROTTLE BODY THROTTLE CONTROL SHAFTS. IF THIS FAILS, THE THROTTLES RETURN TO IDLE WITHOUT ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL. I NEED TO REPAIR PRIOR TO TRAVEL USE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION.

Mileage: 32,000

20140826FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MOTORCYCLE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING. ALWAYS SHOWING EMPTY. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER AND HAD FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPLACED. MOTORCYCLE FUEL GAUGE NOW SHOWING FULL ALL THE TIME UNTIL ONE RECENT FUEL FILL UP IT WENT BACK TO SHOWING EMPTY. I HAD BEEN USING THE TRIP METER TO JUDGE FUEL LEVEL FILLING THE TANK AT 250 MILES. ON THE DATE OF THIS INCIDENT, IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC, I RAN OUT OF FUEL AT APPROX. 200 MILES. I MANAGED TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING RUN OVER. I HAVE CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM WAS NOT KNOWN ABOUT BUT THAT SHE WOULD TAKE MY COMPLAINT. I HAVE READ MANY, MANY......MANY COMPLAINTS FROM BMW OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT BMW HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS PROBLEM FOR 12 YEARS BUT BMW HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE SENSORS UNTIL THE 12 YEARS PASSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM EVIDENTLY NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY BMW. IN THE LATTER PART OF 2010 THEY W

Mileage: 22,000

20140514FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

REPORT RECEIPT DATE: DEC 12, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE MY COMPLAINT : RECALL LETTER NOT RECEIVED FROM BMW. *TR

Mileage: 42,300

20130322FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LEAK FROM THREADS ON TANK. *TR

Mileage: 97,163

20120411FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R 1200 RT. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE AND ONTO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE FUEL FLANGE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP QUICK DISCONNECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

20120206SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2005 BMW R 1200 RT REAL WHEEL FLANGE CRACKED THIS FLANGE SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DISC AND ALSO THE REAR WHEEL ITSELF COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS FLANGE WOULD RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

20120206STRUCTURE

2005 BMW R 1200 RT REAL WHEEL FLANGE CRACKED THIS FLANGE SUPPORTS THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE DISC AND ALSO THE REAR WHEEL ITSELF COMPLETE FAILURE OF THIS FLANGE WOULD RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

20120120FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL PUMP FLANGE CRACKED IN AT LEAST FOUR PLACES THAT I CAN PHOTOGRAPH. FOR HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN I CANNOT DETERMINE. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT LEAKING FUEL AT THIS TIME SEVERAL RIDERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT FLANGE FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN FUEL FLOWING OUT OF THE CRACK AND ONTO THE MOTORCYCLE AND RIDER. FUEL ON A PERSON, IN THE AIR AND ON THE VEHICLE IS A CHEMICAL HAZARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AT THE VERY LEAST AND FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE INCHES AWAY IS DEADLY. I BELIEVE IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT BY THE MANUFACTURER. 8TT

Mileage: 83,000

20111003FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE CRACKS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE CYCLING AND LEAKS, SENDING RAW FUEL DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLES LEFT EXHAUST PIPE AND IGNITION SYSTEM COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLES FAIRING EFFECTIVELY CAPTURES THE FUEL VAPORS CREATING A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR FIRE. IN ADDITION, LEAKING FUEL, STREAMING ALONG THE LEFT FAIRING IS EXHAUSTED ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG, CREATING SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR THE RIDER EVEN AFTER DISMOUNTING THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE THE COMBINATION OF HIGH FUEL PRESSURE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN CREATE SUBSTANTIAL RISK FOR RIDERS OF THE IMPACTED VEHICLES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE, A FEW OF WHICH ARE OUTLINED BELOW: 1. RIDERS BECOME FUEL SOAKED AS FUEL LEAKS DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING AND THEN IS FORCED BY FAIRING AIRFLOW DYNAMICS ON TO THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. 2. FUEL VAPORS, CAPTURED BY THE FAIRING AND HEATED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE BECOME EXTREMELY

Mileage: 23,733

Compare 2005BMWR 1200 RT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT have?
The 2005 BMW R 1200 RT has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT?
Yes, the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT?
The most-complained component for the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP.
Is the 2005 BMW R 1200 RT 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.