2008 BMW R1200 GS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain accessory turn signals manufactured for 2006-2017 R1200GS, 2007-2008 and 2010-2017 R1200GS Adventure, 2017 F700GS and F800GS, 2013-2017 F800GT, 2015-2016 F800R, 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure, 2014-2016 S1000R, 2015-2017 R1200R, 2016-2017 R1200RS, and

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BMW IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 R1200 GS AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, SUCH AS HIGH GENERATOR SPEEDS COMBINED WITH LARGE DEMANDS FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT, SPURIOUS SIGNALS COULD EMERGE WITHIN THE MOTORCYCLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD AFFECT THE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-6

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 R1200 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JANUARY 2008. THE SEALING OF THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT HOUSING MIGHT BE INSUFFICIENT AND WATER COULD INTRUDE INTO THE CONTROL UNIT HOUSING CREATING A HUMID ATMOSPHERE. UNDER SUCH CONDIT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BMW IS RECALLING 4,922 MY 2007-2008 R1200R, MY 2006-2007 R1200 GS, MY 2007 R1200 ST, AND MY 2008 R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

BMW IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 R1200 R, R1200 GS, AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE SHAFT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE.

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE FORWARD DRIVE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILED, LOCKING THE REAR WHEEL. THE SPINNING FORWARD END OF THE UNCONSTRAINED DRIVE SHAFT DAMAGED THE SWING ARM.

Mileage: 51,000

WHILE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE LEFT LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT AS IF I HAD SHUT OFF THE KEY. I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHUT THE BIKE OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK. ONCE STOPPED, THE BIKE STARTED AGAIN AND RAN NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT OF ZERO RANGE, EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE HAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE ASKED BMW TO VERIFY THIS AND THEY WILL NOT. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF IT CANNOT HAPPEN, THEN I NEED TO LOOK WHAT DID HAPPEN. BMW RECOMMENDS THAT I TALK TO THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO SEND A REP TO LOOK AT THE BIKE, BUT AS CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN HAPPEN AND BE WARNED ABOUT IT SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DEALER DID REPLA

Mileage: 12,000

WHILE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE LEFT LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT AS IF I HAD SHUT OFF THE KEY. I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHUT THE BIKE OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK. ONCE STOPPED, THE BIKE STARTED AGAIN AND RAN NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT OF ZERO RANGE, EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE HAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE ASKED BMW TO VERIFY THIS AND THEY WILL NOT. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF IT CANNOT HAPPEN, THEN I NEED TO LOOK WHAT DID HAPPEN. BMW RECOMMENDS THAT I TALK TO THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO SEND A REP TO LOOK AT THE BIKE, BUT AS CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN HAPPEN AND BE WARNED ABOUT IT SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DEALER DID REPLA

Mileage: 12,000

WHILE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE LEFT LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE MOTORCYCLE QUIT AS IF I HAD SHUT OFF THE KEY. I HAD TO MANEUVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHUT THE BIKE OFF EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK. ONCE STOPPED, THE BIKE STARTED AGAIN AND RAN NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR CAN INTERRUPT ENGINE OPERATION WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT OF ZERO RANGE, EVEN THOUGH THE BIKE HAS ADEQUATE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE ASKED BMW TO VERIFY THIS AND THEY WILL NOT. OWNERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN AS I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF IT CANNOT HAPPEN, THEN I NEED TO LOOK WHAT DID HAPPEN. BMW RECOMMENDS THAT I TALK TO THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS ALREADY TOLD ME THAT HE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. THEY HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO SEND A REP TO LOOK AT THE BIKE, BUT AS CUSTOMERS, WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAN HAPPEN AND BE WARNED ABOUT IT SO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE DEALER DID REPLA

Mileage: 12,000

2008 R 1200GS MOTORCYCLE WITH 9218 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT RECENTLY STARTED COMING ON (SOLID) OCCASIONALLY. *BF UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW FROM VALLEY CYCLE & MOTORSPORTS IN BAKERSFIELD, CA ON 6/23/08. DURING THE 18,000 MILE SERVICE ON 04/06/11 (ODO: 17,732) , BMW OF SANTA CRUZ, CA SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED REAR SHOCK STRUT WAS LEAKING OIL AND ORDERED A REPLACEMENT. ON 06/28/11 (ODO: 21,500) VALLEY CYCLE & MOTORSPORTS, CA INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT SHOCK STRUT UNDER WARRANTY. ON 9/12/14 (ODO: 38,768) WHILST ON AN EXTENDED MOTORCYCLE VACATION THE REPLACEMENT REAR SHOCK STRUT STARTED LEAKING, SPEWING OIL ON THE BACK TIRE CREATING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. I IMMEDIATELY RODE IT TO BMW OF SANTA FE, NM TO DOCUMENT THE LEAKAGE AND THEY AGREED IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ADVISED ME TO RIDE IT TO VALLEY CYCLE AND MOTORSPORTS IN BAKERSFIELD, CA WHERE I BOUGHT IT. VALLEY CYCLE BMW TECH. EXAMINED THE SHOCK STRUT (ALL THE OIL HAD LEAKED OUT OF IT AT THIS TIME) AND SAID HE'D OPEN A PUMA? CASE WITH BMW TO SEE IF THEY'D HONOR ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. HE ADVISED ME TO ALSO CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR A RE

Mileage: 17,732

ON 17 AUGUST 2014 AT NEWCOMB'S RANCH IN THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST EAST OF LOS ANGELES AT APPROXIMATELY 10:15 AM I DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH DETENT MECHANISM HAD FAILED ON MY 2008 BMW R1200GS MOTORCYCLE. I WAS ABLE TO FREELY ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY BETWEEN ON AND OFF, SO THAT THE SLIGHTEST TORQUE FROM A KEY FOB OR WIND COULD TURN THE KEY TO OFF, WHICH WOULD SHUT THE ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OFF, PERHAPS UNEXPECTEDLY DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILED IGNITION SWITCH DETENT CONDITION APPARENTLY OCCURRED DURING MY ONE HOUR RIDE ON L.A. FREEWAYS AND CA 2 TO NEWCOMB'S RANCH. A FELLOW RIDER AT NEWCOMB'S ON A BMW K1200S INDICATED THAT HIS MOTORCYCLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (FAILED IGNITION SWITCH DETENT), AND THAT HE RODE WITH THE KEY FOB REMOVED. I RODE HOME WITH TWO BAR STRAWS TIED BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE HANDLEBAR CLAMPS. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A MISSING METAL RETAINING PLUG IN A HORIZONTAL HOLE IN THE FRONT OF THE STEERING LOCK HOUSING, AND A SPRING S

Mileage: 20,200

ON 17 AUGUST 2014 AT NEWCOMB'S RANCH IN THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST EAST OF LOS ANGELES AT APPROXIMATELY 10:15 AM I DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH DETENT MECHANISM HAD FAILED ON MY 2008 BMW R1200GS MOTORCYCLE. I WAS ABLE TO FREELY ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY BETWEEN ON AND OFF, SO THAT THE SLIGHTEST TORQUE FROM A KEY FOB OR WIND COULD TURN THE KEY TO OFF, WHICH WOULD SHUT THE ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OFF, PERHAPS UNEXPECTEDLY DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILED IGNITION SWITCH DETENT CONDITION APPARENTLY OCCURRED DURING MY ONE HOUR RIDE ON L.A. FREEWAYS AND CA 2 TO NEWCOMB'S RANCH. A FELLOW RIDER AT NEWCOMB'S ON A BMW K1200S INDICATED THAT HIS MOTORCYCLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (FAILED IGNITION SWITCH DETENT), AND THAT HE RODE WITH THE KEY FOB REMOVED. I RODE HOME WITH TWO BAR STRAWS TIED BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE HANDLEBAR CLAMPS. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A MISSING METAL RETAINING PLUG IN A HORIZONTAL HOLE IN THE FRONT OF THE STEERING LOCK HOUSING, AND A SPRING S

Mileage: 20,200

ON 17 AUGUST 2014 AT NEWCOMB'S RANCH IN THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST EAST OF LOS ANGELES AT APPROXIMATELY 10:15 AM I DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH DETENT MECHANISM HAD FAILED ON MY 2008 BMW R1200GS MOTORCYCLE. I WAS ABLE TO FREELY ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY BETWEEN ON AND OFF, SO THAT THE SLIGHTEST TORQUE FROM A KEY FOB OR WIND COULD TURN THE KEY TO OFF, WHICH WOULD SHUT THE ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OFF, PERHAPS UNEXPECTEDLY DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILED IGNITION SWITCH DETENT CONDITION APPARENTLY OCCURRED DURING MY ONE HOUR RIDE ON L.A. FREEWAYS AND CA 2 TO NEWCOMB'S RANCH. A FELLOW RIDER AT NEWCOMB'S ON A BMW K1200S INDICATED THAT HIS MOTORCYCLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (FAILED IGNITION SWITCH DETENT), AND THAT HE RODE WITH THE KEY FOB REMOVED. I RODE HOME WITH TWO BAR STRAWS TIED BETWEEN THE KEY AND THE HANDLEBAR CLAMPS. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A MISSING METAL RETAINING PLUG IN A HORIZONTAL HOLE IN THE FRONT OF THE STEERING LOCK HOUSING, AND A SPRING S

Mileage: 20,200

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V129000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 08/29/2014 *JS

Mileage: 2,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED AND TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V129000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 08/29/2014 *JS

Mileage: 2,000

RIGHT ANGLE FINAL DRIVE ON 2008 R1200 GS HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. THE BEARING AND SPLINES HAVE FAILED. FINAL DRIVE FLANGE AND SPLINES HAVE BECOME UN REPAIRABLE AND FINAL DRIVE IS INOPERATIVE. MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN DEEMED BY BMW DEALER "UN-SAFE TO RIDE" UNLESS FINAL DRIVE IS REPLACED. *TR

I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY STALLED. IT WAS A SCARY MOMENT SINCE I NOTICED THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME SLAMMING THERE BRAKES, TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME!. THE FUEL LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND WARNING (YELLOW TRIANGLE) ON. I CALLED MY BMW DEALER FOR REPAIR APPOINTMENT AND THE TECH. SAID THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODELS WITH A FUEL SENSOR FAILURE AND IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY BY BMW. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL BMW OWNERS AND READING SOME FORUMS, I LEARNED THAT THIS MODEL EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL SENSOR STRIP THAT HAPPENS TO FAIL OFTEN. SOME R1200GS OWNERS HAD TO CHANGE IT 3-7 TIMES, BUT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WANT ADMIT THERE FAULTY PART!. HOPE YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN THIS HIGH RISK MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 30,500

RUNNING OUT OF GAS DUE TO FAULTY FUEL STRIP SENSOR WHICH PREVENTS DETERMINING FUEL LEVEL IN GAS TANK. DANGER IS BEING REAR ENDED BY ON COMING VEHICLES. THIS IS THE 7TH BMW FUEL SENSOR STRIP THAT HAS FAILED FOR MY WIFE AND I IN THE YEARS FROM 2005 TO 2014. THERE HAVE BEEN 2 ON TWO 2005 K1200SES, 1 ON A 2006 K1200S, 3 ON TWO 2008 K1200SES, AND 1 ON A 2008 R1200GS FUEL LEVEL STRIPS THAT HAVE FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 7,757

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A FREEWAY A SLIGHT VIBRATION WAS FELT WHEN THE SUSPENSION UNLOADED. THE VIBRATION SUDDENLY TURNED IN TO A BUCKING FROM THE BIKE'S REAR AND THE DRIVE SHAFT FROZE, LOCKING THE REAR WHEEL. SMALL FLAMES WERE NOTICED FROM THE FORWARD SWING ARM BOOT WHICH SELF EXTINGUISHED. INSPECTION SHOWED THE FORWARD UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILED AND THE ROTATING DRIVE SHAFT TORE THE SWING ARM. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

I SMELLED GAS AND FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK. I FOUND CRACKS ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE FUEL QUICK-DISCONNECT PORT. *TR

Mileage: 11,565

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT THE PLASTIC FLANGES WHERE THE FUEL PUMP RESIDES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND OTHERS. *TR

Mileage: 33,850

WHILE RIDING DOWN THE FREEWAY AN ODD VIBRATION IN THE BIKE OCCURRED WHEN THE SUSPENSION UNLOADED. ABOUT A HALF MILE LATER THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE BIKE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. IMMEDIATELY PULLING IN THE CLUTCH ALLOWED ME TO COAST TO THE SIDE. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THROUGH THE TWO SWING ARM JOINT BOOTS. THE LOWER U-JOINT OF THE DRIVE SHAFT SEIZED AND BROKE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A NON-MAINTAINABLE SEALED BEARING. THE DRIVESHAFT IS LOCATED IN THE SWINGARM AND THE FLAILING DRIVESHAFT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THAT PART AS WELL. THE REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE DRIVE SHAFT, SWINGARM AND BOOTS. *TR

Mileage: 51,063

WHILE CRUISING AT MODERATE SPEED ON PAVED SURFACE ROAD FIRST NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE SMELL, FOLLOWED IN FEW MINUTES BY SOAKING OF THE LEFT LEG OF THE PANTS WITH GASOLINE, AND THEN OBSERVED GASOLINE DRIPPING ON THE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD. STOPPED, REMOVED LEFT SIDED COWLING TO INSPECT FUEL LINES AND NOTED STEADY STREAM OF FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL PUMP HOUSING WHEN ENGINE RUNNING. *TR

Mileage: 18,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,200. *TR

Mileage: 26,200