BMW R 1250 GS · model year

2019 BMW R 1250 GS

22 NHTSA complaints, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2019BMWR 1250 GS carries 22 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 2019 R 1250 GS is service brakes with 12 filings, followed by engine (3) and electrical system (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 4 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 2019 R 1250 GS. 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.

22
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 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
SERVICE BRAKES12
ENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (4)

20V16600019/03/2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid

20E01300019/03/2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2

23V01100018/01/2023

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:SHAFT:INPUT

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.

20V47600013/08/2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Sa

Recent Complaints

20250118SERVICE BRAKES

Rear brake system malfunctions. Malfunctioning rear brake increases braking distance which can lead to a collision. The BMW dealer and customer service have confirmed problem. The motorcycle has be serviced for this four times at the BMW repair shop. The problem appears about every 3000 miles.

20250118ENGINE

Engine fails to start after shutoff and after engine temperature is hot. Inability to start engine on the road after cutting ignition can increase risk of being hit on the road. The dealer has not been able to reproduce. The vehicle has been inspected by BMW repair shop and had me replace the battery but the problem still persists. Subsequent service appointments have resulted in BMW technicians not being able to reproduce problem. The occurs randomly about 7 times per year. No warning signs.

20250114SERVICE BRAKES

Ever since purchased new in 2019 the rear brake goes away after riding. Dealer bleeds to fix and it goes away again after riding. By going away I mean rear brake pedal travel becomes very long with no positive stop when the brake finally works. Very soft feel thru the brake activation. Takes a stomp with my heel to lock the rear. Dealer has bled and even done a tsb procedure given by bmw to correct. Technical Service Bulletin SIB 34 01 21. Same result. No rear after riding a bit. Putting safety at risk is self explanatory. From hours of reading I've found this to be an ongoing problem with liquid cooled gs's up to the 20 or 21 model year when the abs pump was replaced with a unit not causing the issue of putting air in the system. Date listed below is arbitrary. I ride the motorcycle knowing I don't have a rear brake and bmw has yet to address the issue other than ignoring it with updated bleed procedures.

20230625ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in the stator. The mechanic issued an immediate "Do not ride, Do not operate" warning. 2019 BMW R1250GSA has 17,000 accident free miles. Many "false" engine management warnings.

20230625ENGINE

During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in the stator. The mechanic issued an immediate "Do not ride, Do not operate" warning. 2019 BMW R1250GSA has 17,000 accident free miles. Many "false" engine management warnings.

20230625UNKNOWN OR OTHER

During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in the stator. The mechanic issued an immediate "Do not ride, Do not operate" warning. 2019 BMW R1250GSA has 17,000 accident free miles. Many "false" engine management warnings.

20230531SERVICE BRAKES

After three BMW dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. The same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.

20230531SERVICE BRAKES

Rear brake on motorcycle does not stop the motorcycle. After three BMW dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. The same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.

20220911SERVICE BRAKES

4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a problem w/the CC. I now consider this issue is related to the rear caliper ceasing. 5/30/2022 (RC) Rear caliper ceased without any indications. The (MC) motorcycle, presented w/a power loss otherwise unknowingly to me until later in the ride. Caliper appeared to cease causing heat scorched rear pads, caliper very hot. I smelled brake burn upon slowing down, noticing both power loss and my CC not working. 6/9/2022 Dealership found “no warranty concerns” and nothing wrong w/the MC they could find. I had disputed being charged $222.xx and then implied by both the service manager and BMW Customer Support that I was dragging my brake. This was all after 25 months of ownership and 9K miles of riding. I did offer them to keep the bike and ride it but they did not. August 6th 10K + miles Riding on the interstate, my C

20220911VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a problem w/the CC. I now consider this issue is related to the rear caliper ceasing. 5/30/2022 (RC) Rear caliper ceased without any indications. The (MC) motorcycle, presented w/a power loss otherwise unknowingly to me until later in the ride. Caliper appeared to cease causing heat scorched rear pads, caliper very hot. I smelled brake burn upon slowing down, noticing both power loss and my CC not working. 6/9/2022 Dealership found “no warranty concerns” and nothing wrong w/the MC they could find. I had disputed being charged $222.xx and then implied by both the service manager and BMW Customer Support that I was dragging my brake. This was all after 25 months of ownership and 9K miles of riding. I did offer them to keep the bike and ride it but they did not. August 6th 10K + miles Riding on the interstate, my C

20220911FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a problem w/the CC. I now consider this issue is related to the rear caliper ceasing. 5/30/2022 (RC) Rear caliper ceased without any indications. The (MC) motorcycle, presented w/a power loss otherwise unknowingly to me until later in the ride. Caliper appeared to cease causing heat scorched rear pads, caliper very hot. I smelled brake burn upon slowing down, noticing both power loss and my CC not working. 6/9/2022 Dealership found “no warranty concerns” and nothing wrong w/the MC they could find. I had disputed being charged $222.xx and then implied by both the service manager and BMW Customer Support that I was dragging my brake. This was all after 25 months of ownership and 9K miles of riding. I did offer them to keep the bike and ride it but they did not. August 6th 10K + miles Riding on the interstate, my C

20210817SERVICE BRAKES

Lost all of the pressure when depressing rear brakes. The bike is 1 year and 5 months old. Rear brakes do not slow motorcycle when depressing the entire travel of the pedal. Service manager at BMW stated they have seen this problem on other similar model motorcycles. No warning lamps.

20210201SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW R 1250 GS ADVENTURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V476000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING. EUROTEK OKLAHOMA CITY, 417 HUDIBURG CIR STE. C, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73108) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION YET DETERMINED AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT OFFERING A REPAIR CURRENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 8,000

20210201SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW R 1250 GS ADVENTURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V476000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING. EUROTEK OKLAHOMA CITY, 417 HUDIBURG CIR STE. C, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73108) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION YET DETERMINED AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT OFFERING A REPAIR CURRENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 8,000

20210127ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE MOTORCYCLE FAILS TO START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. I STOP AND TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RESTART, IT WON'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. BMW SAYS THAT CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS FROM RIDERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS WITH JUMPER CABLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE. IT MIGHT NOT RESTART ON THE FREEWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 12,000 MILES. IT HAS NOT RESTARTED 3 TIMES NOW. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 7 WEEKS.

Mileage: 5,000

20210127ENGINE

THE MOTORCYCLE FAILS TO START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. I STOP AND TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RESTART, IT WON'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. BMW SAYS THAT CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS FROM RIDERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS WITH JUMPER CABLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE. IT MIGHT NOT RESTART ON THE FREEWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 12,000 MILES. IT HAS NOT RESTARTED 3 TIMES NOW. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 7 WEEKS.

Mileage: 5,000

20210127POWER TRAIN

THE MOTORCYCLE FAILS TO START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. I STOP AND TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RESTART, IT WON'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. BMW SAYS THAT CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS FROM RIDERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS WITH JUMPER CABLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE. IT MIGHT NOT RESTART ON THE FREEWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 12,000 MILES. IT HAS NOT RESTARTED 3 TIMES NOW. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 7 WEEKS.

Mileage: 5,000

20200720SERVICE BRAKES

REAR BRAKE DO NOT ENGAGE WHEN PRESSING THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL

Mileage: 12,500

20200506SERVICE BRAKES

CHECKING RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. FOUND INCIDENT REPORTS REGARDING LEAKING FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I CHECKED MINE. THERE IS AN OILY FILM ALL OVER ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT CALIPER. THERE IS AN OILY FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE LEFT SIDE FRONT CALIPER. IT APPEARS THAT THE CASTING FOR THE CALIPERS IS POUROUS AND ALLOWS THE BRAKE FLUID TO SLOWLY SEEP OUT. THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER (WHICH I USE LESS) FELT DRY, BUT HAS STICKY BRAKE DUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE OUTER PART OF THE CALIPER. IF THIS LEAKAGE/SEEPAGE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH, BRAKE FLUID COULD MAKE ITS WAY TO THE PADS AND DISCS, LEADING TO DANGEROUS LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. THERE IS ALSO THE PROBLEM OF SLOW LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. I HAVE JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN 1500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, PURCHASED NEW LAST AUGUST, 2019. I HAVE NOT USED THE BRAKES HARD. ABS HAS NOT BEEN ACTIVATED, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, YET. *TR

Mileage: 1,508

20200430SERVICE BRAKES

- DRIVING BRAND NEW 2019 BMW R 1250 GS MOTORCYCLE ON WELL-MAINTAINED, RURAL, TWO-LANE ROADS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA - UPON BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING A SLOW-SPEED RIGHT-HAND TURN, THE BRAKES LOST ALL PRESSURE (APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN 2ND GEAR) - THE FRONT TIRE THEN LOCKED/ RELEASED ERRATICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE TURN - THE MOTORCYCLE 'PLOWED'/ SLID AHEAD INTO ONCOMING LANE OF TRAVEL - I FOUGHT THROUGH THE SLIDE, KEEPING THE BIKE UPRIGHT - I IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO SAFE LOCATION TO CHECK BIKE AND CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE - ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REFUSED TO TOW TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT SHOWED ANOTHER DEALER BEING CLOSER, THOUGH THAT DEALER HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY CLOSED (OUT OF BUSINESS) FOR 6 MONTHS - THE FRONT BRAKES LOST FLUID/ PRESSURE - ATTACHED PHOTOS SHOW 'DARK-COLORED SLIME' ON BIKE - THIS IS BRAKE FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKES - THIS IS A HIGHLY PUBLICIZED, "KNOWN ISSUE" FOR 2019 MODEL YEAR BIKES FOR BMW/ OWNERS/ DEALERS FOR THE PAST YEAR, BUT

Mileage: 998

Compare 2019BMWR 1250 GS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS have?
The 2019 BMW R 1250 GS has 22 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS?
Yes, the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS?
The most-complained component for the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS is SERVICE BRAKES with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS 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.