BMW R1200 CL · model year

2004 BMW R1200 CL

13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004BMWR1200 CL carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 4 fires, 2 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 2004 R1200 CL is fuel system, gasoline with 4 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (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.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2004 R1200 CL. 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.

13
Complaints
1
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

1 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, GASOLINE4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recent Complaints

20230425FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Motorcycle caught fire due to a defective fuel distributor line (part #135 376 58911). This happened on our property and the bike would have burned out completely if it had happened on the road. Only because there was a garden hose not too far from where the bike caught fire, I was able to extinguish it in time.

20180808FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS AND OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLE MODELS WITH THE "QUICK DISCONNECT" FITTINGS ON FUEL LINES BEING MADE OF PLASTIC AND FAILING CAUSING OR POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE. ON THIS DATE ONE OF MY FITTINGS FAILED CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BURNED OFF UNDER HIGH HEAT MAYBE CAUSING FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET SOMETHING UNDER LEAK TO CATCH FUEL BEFORE IT ALL LEAKED OUT ON TO EXHAUST. ALL MODELS OF BMW WITH THESE POOR DESIGN PLASTIC FITTINGS ON THE FUEL SYSTEM {{MUST}} BE REPLACED! THIS NEEDS TO BE REQUIRED ASAP.

Mileage: 12,068

20160217STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KICKSTAND, USED TO MOUNT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BENT AND DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KICKSTAND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT A REPLACEMENT ALONE WOULD NOT SOLVE THE FAILURE, STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL FOR THE STAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,100.

Mileage: 14,100

20130401ENGINE

MY BIKE WAS SPUTTERING & BACKFIRING, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM" HE TOLD ME IT WAS "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL BIKE, EVEN WITH THE LOW MILEAGE" I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE BIKE, IF I HAD KNOW ABOUT THIS COMMON FAILURE I WOULD HAVE NOT BOUGHT IT. THEY WANT $1800 TO REPAIR IT. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

20130401FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY BIKE WAS SPUTTERING & BACKFIRING, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM" HE TOLD ME IT WAS "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL BIKE, EVEN WITH THE LOW MILEAGE" I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE BIKE, IF I HAD KNOW ABOUT THIS COMMON FAILURE I WOULD HAVE NOT BOUGHT IT. THEY WANT $1800 TO REPAIR IT. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

20130123FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BIKE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL CONNECTOR WAS FRACTURED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BECAUSE OF THE ORIGINAL QUICK DISCONNECTORS MADE OF PLASTIC. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 02/06/13 UPDATED 11/04/13

Mileage: 4,200

20120130FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,784.

Mileage: 11,784

20110607FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINE, CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM FROM THE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 17,000

20100324FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINE COUPLING ON MY 2004 BMW R1200CLC MOTORCYCLE BROKE SPILLING GASOLINE ON THE EXHUAST, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REAR DISC BRAKE WHILE RIDING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN GOOD WEATHER. THE BIKE STOPPED RUNNING, LEAVING ME TO NEGOTIATE A 825 LB. MOTORCYCLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER AND A GASOLINE SOAKED REAR DISC BRAKE. 40 YEARS OF CYCLING EXPERIENCE SAVED ME FROM WHAT WAS A DIRE AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THERE WAS A FACTORY RECALL TO REPLACE THE O-RINGS ON THIS COUPLING, WHICH I DID. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER FROM WHICH I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY INFORMED ME THAT BMW HAD REPLACED THIS PLASTIC PART WITH A METAL PART IN THEIR REPLACEMENT PARTS INVENTORY. THIS PART RETAILS FOR $31.50 AND IS ONLY FOR SALE. IT IS ALSO ONLY HALF OF THE COUPLING, THE OTHER HALF STILL ONLY AVILABLE IN PLASTIC. THERE ARE TWO OF THESE COUPLINGS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL 2004 BM

Mileage: 13,859

20090702FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

Mileage: 8,000

20070705FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL CONNECTOR BROKE. AT 75 MPH THE BMW QUICKLY DISCONNECTED, BROKE, AND THE 45 PSI OF FUEL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE, MY LEG AND THE EXHAUST. IT WAS THIS BMW PART # 13317659119 THAT BROKE. *AK POSSIBLE FIRE, BURNS, DEATH.

Mileage: 37,195

20050930CrashFireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE RIDING CONSUMERS BIKE CAUGHT FIRE.*TS WHILE RIDING IN A PARKING LOT FLAME STARTED COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DROP THE BIKE AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OIL LEVEL GLASS HAD MELTED, DRAINED THE OIL WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. *NM

20050705STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

DT: 2004 BMW R1200CL MOTORCYCLE, THE FRAME IS BENDING BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT PRESSURE ON THE SIDE STAND, METAL OF FRAME OF VEHICLE IS TOO WEAK, CAUSING THE FRAME TO BEND AND TWIST, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, AND DEALER REPLACED THE FRAME, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS REPLACING THE SECOND FRAME. VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE FRAME METAL COULD HAVE BEEN TEMPERED INCORRECTLY, THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE MUSCLE STRAIN, THIS DID NOT CAUSE PERMANENT INJURY OR A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ONLINE CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 500

Compare 2004BMWR1200 CL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 BMW R1200 CL have?
The 2004 BMW R1200 CL has 13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW R1200 CL?
The most-complained component for the 2004 BMW R1200 CL is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS.
Is the 2004 BMW R1200 CL 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.