Total Complaints
27 filings
BMW R 1200 RT · model year
27 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009BMWR 1200 RT carries 27 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 2009 R 1200 RT is fuel/propulsion system with 12 filings, followed by electrical system (2) and service brakes (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 3 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 2009 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.
Total Complaints
27 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | 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
TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUTS. DISCOVERED LEFT AND RIGHT THROTTLE BODY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT DUE TO CABLE CAMS ARE BROKEN. BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR PARTS. CHOSE TO FIX IT UP GIVEN LOW MILEAGE. LOOKS LIKE PLASTIC CAM FRACTURES FREQUENTLY. LUCKY I FOUND OUT BEFORE I TRIED RIDING IT. NEWER MODELS BY MANUFACTURER AND AFTERMARKET PARTS OFFER METAL CAM. EVEN MY KIDS CAR SEATS NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF âPLASTICS FATIGUE/FAILUREâ.
On 06-19-2023 i was North bound I275 north of 8 mile about 715pm. I was in the left lane going about 68 mph. All of a sudden my It felt like my throttle cable broke, when I twisted it there was no motor response forward and backward, but my motor was red lining against the Rev limiter, so I pulled in the clutch and it did not slow down at all. Actually I sped up to over 100 mph, thankfully there was noone in front of me, I steadily pulled on the front brake and stepped on the back brake until I came to a stop. The length I went was at least 1 1/2- 2 miles from when I thought the cable broke till I got it stopped. I had it towed to southeast bmw in Plymouth, MI. It's still in the shop as of July 31,2023. So I don't know what exactly went wrong yet. They are waiting on a part and said the throttle cable didn't break. My question is why did I continue to go faster while the clutch was in. Besides what ever went wrong on the bike and heavier pants, myself and the bike were not harmed.
The OEM plastic 90° quick discount fitting on top of the fuel pump started spraying fuel. I started smelling fuel on the interstate highway 10 and by the time I could pull over safely off the interstate I was covered with fuel. The fuel was running down on the hot exhaust pipeâs on the front left side of the motorcycle and spraying all over my face and legs. I could have been set on fire and burnt to death because of where the fuel was spraying from. This also could have cost the lives of the people on the interstate had i burst into flames and lost control of the motorcycle. When I called the BMW dealership in Tucson AZ the service tech told me that they had a medal aftermarket 90° fitting that would fix my problem. I replaced the fitting and the fuel leak was fixed. This motorcycle fuel pump was replaced 07/01/2014 at mileage 12,482 because of a fuel leak recall. Iâm filling this report because this fitting fail happened without warning 15,700 miles after the fuel flange r
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE REAR BEARING FAILURE THAT LED TO A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. At highway speed, heard clicking noise from rear of bike. While parked on center stand and spinning rear wheel, heard a terrible grinding sound. Who knows what would have happened had I not exited when I did. This left me stranded, requiring a tow; repair took two days and was over $3,000.
Throttle body cams broken, no symtoms, could have caused crash from complete power loss to the engine, could have crashed or been hit. Dealer replaced.
MY SECOND MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THROTTLE BODY CAM FAILURE. THIS IS BECOMING AN ISSUES AS THESE BIKE REACH HIGHER MILEAGE.
Mileage: 75,600
BMW HAVE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 20V-471: FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER IN MY AREA (5TH GEAR CYCLE 1200 W SW EXPY DR, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012) IS NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE SERVICE BEFORE END OF JULY. BIKE CURRENTLY IS UNUSABLE AS FUEL DRIPS OVER THE EXHAUST.
THROTTLE BODY PLASTIC CAMS BROKE ACCELERATING INTO ON RAMP OF I4 IN ORLANDO. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN TO IDLE INTO REAR APPROACHING TRAFFIC.
Mileage: 96,867
2009 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE WITH 50,482 MILES. THROTTLE CABLE PULLEYS/CAMS BOTH SHOWING SIGNS OF MULTIPLE CRACKS. ONCE THEY CRACK COMPLETELY, THE MOTORCYCLE BECOMES UNRIDEABLE AND MUST BE TOWED. THROTTLE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AND MOTORCYCLE JUST RETURNS TO IDLE. MUST EITHER REPLACE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY OR REMOVE AND REPLACE EXISTING PLASTIC CAMS WHICH HAVE FAILED.
Mileage: 55,000
THE THROTTLE BODIES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE ARE CABLE-ACTUATED, WITH PLASTIC PULLEYS MOLDED ONTO THE THROTTLE SPINDLES. THESE PLASTIC PULLEYS WERE SEVERELY CRACKED AND I HAVE REPLACED THEM (I STILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS). I'M AWARE OF NUMEROUS BMW MOTORCYCLES OF THIS VINTAGE THAT HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE THROTTLE PULLEYS. I DISCOVERED MY PROBLEM VIA INSPECTION IN MY GARAGE, BUT I'M CURRENTLY AWARE OF TWO OTHER OWNERS FOR WHOM THE PULLEYS DETACHED FROM THE SPINDLES WHILE RIDING, CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO MANIFESTED ON OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE (E.G. THE R1200GS).
Mileage: 51,567
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE HIMSELF. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS THEN RIDDEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Mileage: 35,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, A ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM) IN 2014. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Mileage: 30,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROWN BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 29,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW R 1200 RT. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROWN BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 29,000
ABS SERVO FAILED. COMPLETE LOSS OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE ON MOTORCYCLE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED WITH VERY FEW MILES ON THE MACHINE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP (RECALLED) AND REAR WHEEL HUB (RECALLED). I AM AFRAID OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND DOUBT THE ADVERTISED "RELIABILITY" TOUTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW MOTRORAD.
Mileage: 12,300
BMW MODEL R1200RT YEARS 2005 - 2013 MAY BE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM ON THE 2009 YEAR MODEL IS ASSEMBLED BY BING POWER IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY AND UTILIZED BY BMW IN MOTORCYCLES WITH THE 1170 CC BOXER MOTOR. (BING IS A LONGSTANDING COMPANY WHICH IN GENERAL MANUFACTURES FIRST-RATE PRODUCTS.)THE PRIMARY THROTTLE CABLE EXTENDS FROM THE HANDLE BAR TO A SPLITTER FROM WHICH TWO SEPARATE THROTTLE CABLES EXTEND TO LEFT AND RIGHT HAND THROTTLE BODIES WHICH HOUSE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THOSE TWO CABLES ARE ROUTED OVER AND ANCHORED TO A CABLE PULLEY MADE OF MOLDED PLASTIC. THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. IF OR WHEN THE PLASTIC FAILS, THERE IS NO THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE GOES TO IDLE, THUS CREATING AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE THE RIDER COULD BE FORTHRIGHTLY IN HARM'S WAY AND ENDANGERED. THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT RECALL ISSUE FOR REPLACEMENT O
Mileage: 48,832
BMW MODEL R1200RT YEARS 2005 - 2013 MAY BE SUBJECT TO THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM ON THE 2009 YEAR MODEL IS ASSEMBLED BY BING POWER IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY AND UTILIZED BY BMW IN MOTORCYCLES WITH THE 1170 CC BOXER MOTOR. (BING IS A LONGSTANDING COMPANY WHICH IN GENERAL MANUFACTURES FIRST-RATE PRODUCTS.)THE PRIMARY THROTTLE CABLE EXTENDS FROM THE HANDLE BAR TO A SPLITTER FROM WHICH TWO SEPARATE THROTTLE CABLES EXTEND TO LEFT AND RIGHT HAND THROTTLE BODIES WHICH HOUSE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THOSE TWO CABLES ARE ROUTED OVER AND ANCHORED TO A CABLE PULLEY MADE OF MOLDED PLASTIC. THIS ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. IF OR WHEN THE PLASTIC FAILS, THERE IS NO THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE GOES TO IDLE, THUS CREATING AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE THE RIDER COULD BE FORTHRIGHTLY IN HARM'S WAY AND ENDANGERED. THIS SHOULD BE AN URGENT RECALL ISSUE FOR REPLACEMENT O
Mileage: 48,832
ABS FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUE IN THE BMW COMMUNITY, GOT THE STEADY BURN "BRAKE FAILURE" LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO CAN'T CLEAR. VERIFIED THAT I'VE LOST ALL ABS FRONT AND BACK. ABS MODULATOR FAILURE. *TR
Mileage: 26,543
FUEL STRIP FAILED, GOING FROM APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES TO EMPTY TO --- MILES TO EMPTY IMMEDIATELY. FUEL STRIP WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES IN TOTAL BEFORE I SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE 6/15/13 WITH ~7,500 MILES ON THE BIKE. *TR
Mileage: 1,700
AFTER STARTING THE MOTORCYLE AND ALLOWING FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF WARMING UP, I HEADED TO THE GAS STATION TO FUEL UP IN PREPARATION FOR A LONG RIDE THE NEXT DAY. AS A FORCE OF HABIT I CHECKED MY RANGE AND ODOMETER READINGS AND FOUND THE RANGE WAS NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE DISPLAYING FOR THE MILES USED ON THE TANK. AS I RODE THE COUPLE OF MILES TO THE GAS STATION THE RANGE CONTINUED TO DROP PRECIPITOUSLY, 5-20 MILES AT A TIME EVERY FEW SECONDS UNTIL IT REACHED ZERO AND DISPLAYED "---" FOR A RANGE TO EMPTY AFTER RIDING JUST OVER ONE MILE. AFTER FILLING THE TANK FULLY, THE GAUGE DID NOT RESET OR CHANGE IN ANY WAY. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FUEL STRIP, AKA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, GONE BAD. I AM NOW AWAITING THE PART TO ARRIVE SO MY 3RD FUEL STRIP REPLACEMENT CAN GO AHEAD. (MY SECOND OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2012, THE THIRD IN AUGUST 2013.) MY MOTORCYCLE HAS JUST 24,000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD (BY 3 MONTHS). I FIND IT ALMOST UNFATHOM
Mileage: 4,500
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.