BMW R 1250 GS · model year

2020 BMW R 1250 GS

9 NHTSA complaints, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020BMWR 1250 GS carries 9 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 2020 R 1250 GS is service brakes with 7 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:fluid (1) and service brakes, hydraulic (1). 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 6 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 2020 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.

9
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

9 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 BRAKES7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recalls (6)

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

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

20V16500019/03/2020

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.

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

20V14600012/03/2020

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emer

Recent Complaints

20251125SERVICE BRAKES

Rear brake pedal goes soft over time decreasing the effectiveness and usability of the rear brake. Multiple attempts at bleeding per BMW SIB 34 01 21 have not corrected the issue. This is a severe safety issue as the rear brake is all but useless.

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.

20220514SERVICE BRAKES

Rear brake becomes soft and non operational after a period of 9 months. Once the brake has become "soft" the rear brake fails to apply caliper pressure and will not slow or stop the rear wheel. Additionally, at this point the automatic or manual hill hold also become non operational. Note... wide spread problem on the majority of BMW GS 2009-2021 as seen on the fourms such as "Adventure Rider" and "R1200GS info" search for "bmw gs soft rear brakes." Brake bleeds are a temporary fix. Replacing the rear brake master cylinder is a temporary fix. Computer bleeding the Bosch ABS module is also a temporary fix. Problem always returns. I am a federal Airframe and Powerplant technician and avionics installer i know brake systems. I already know BMW motorrad will bleed, bleed, then replace the master cylinder then will send a ticket to BMW Germany and not come up with an answer just like all the poor owners on the fourms. I personally service "bleed" my brakes every 6,000 miles to ensure "acce

20210716SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

The contact owns a 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V476000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue however, the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking from the caliper. The failure mileage was 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 3,000

20210716SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V476000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue however, the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking from the caliper. The failure mileage was 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 3,000

20210224SERVICE BRAKES

EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKING COMPONENTS (PADS). AFTER 3000 MILES, PADS ONLY HAD 3MM OF MATERIAL. THE IS A HIGH DEGREE OF DISCOLORATION ON THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. ISSUE IS NOT ATTRIBUTED TO USER ERROR (I.E., RIDING THE BRAKES). BMW SERVICE HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS, STATING BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'M REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AS PART OF 'DUE DILIGENCE' TO COLLECT SAFETY RELATED INFORMATION WITH THE 2020 BMW R1250GSA BRAKE SYSTEM. THERE MIGHT BE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE CALIPERS AND POSSIBLY THE ABS PRESSURE MODULATOR. NON-USER ATTRIBUTED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS IS INDICATIVE OF SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT COULD IMPACT THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH THE POTENTIALLY OF WHEEL LOCK UP SHOULD THE SYSTEM APPLY FULL BRAKING TO THE REAR WHEEL.

Mileage: 6,000

20200401SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. NOTICEABLE DROPS ON WHEEL RIM WHEN PARKED.

Mileage: 700

20200225SERVICE BRAKES

BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. OBSERVED WHEN STATIONARY, DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM. ALSO SWEATS OF BRAKE FLUID OBSERVED AT THE SEAM (IT IS A TWO PIECE BRAKE CALIPER, MANUFACTURED BY HAYES). DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE (CAN'T GET REPLACEMENT PARTS) AND BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED NO OTHER REMEDY. ESSENTIALLY I CANNOT RIDE A NEW BIKE FOR 3 MONTHS NOW WITHOUT BEING AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY.

Mileage: 75

20200213SERVICE BRAKES

BOTH FRONT CALIPERS ARE LEAKING FLUID. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR VERIFICATION AND REPAIR ON NOV 27 2019. I HAVE BEEN INQUIRING WITH THEM EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE AS TO WHEN THEY MAY BE REPLACED WITH NOT EVEN AND ESTIMATED DATE. BMW MOTORRAD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ESCALATE THE CASE TO ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THAT IT MUST BE DONE THROUGH THE DEALER. FLUID HAS ALSO LEAKED ON THE FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE. AT THIS POINT, THE BIKE CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO STOP.

Mileage: 8,200

Compare 2020BMWR 1250 GS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS have?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS?
Yes, the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has 6 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 2020 BMW R 1250 GS?
The most-complained component for the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS is SERVICE BRAKES with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2020 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.