BMW R1200 GS · model year

2013 BMW R1200 GS

11 NHTSA complaints, and 6 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
11
Recalls
6

The verdict

The 2013 BMW R1200 GS posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

Top 40%
fewest complaints, own model years
6
recall campaigns

The 2013BMWR1200 GS carries 11 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.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2013 R1200 GS is fuel/propulsion system with 5 filings, followed by power train (2) and vehicle speed control (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2013 R1200 GS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2013 BMW R1200 GS

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

11 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
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
POWER TRAIN2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STRUCTURE1
SUSPENSION1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1

Recalls (6)

13V15400022/04/2013

SUSPENSION:FRONT

BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 R1200 GS motorcycles manufactured January 9, 2013, through February 8, 2013. Due to an insufficient torque of a locking bolt, the front fork tube may loosen.

17E05200021/08/2017

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

18E01600021/03/2018

EQUIPMENT

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model y

14V06500019/02/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 C 600 Sport, C 650 GT, F 700 GS, F 800 GS, F 800 GS Adventure, F 800 GT, R 1200 R and R1200 GS motorcycles. Water may enter the side-stand switch preventing the motorcycle from starting or potentially shutting off the motorcycle w

14V21100018/04/2014

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 R 1200 GS motorcycles manufactured November 2012 through August 2013. Pressure inside the transmission may cause the transmission output seal to be pushed out of place.

21V06000008/02/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.

Recent Complaints

20241029FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Riding at freeway speeds fuel system is spilling out fuel down both sides of the engine. I smelled strong fuel smell while riding but was unable to stop until almost home. At home inspected bike and discovered leak even while at idle but have not dug in to identify exact leak location. having it trailered into BWM repair facility when appointment available. I do not see a recall for my make year and model of 1200 GS but it does fall in the years listed as a concern?

20240719POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the motorcycle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the motorcycle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact started to slowly exit the highway, the drive shaft, rear drive, and swing arm failed and fractured apart with the rear wheel locking up. Due to the failure, the contact had the motorcycle towed to a dealer where the failure was confirmed. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

Mileage: 46,000

20220307FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the fuel pump failed and leaked fuel all over the motorcycle and onto the contact. The contact was able pull the motorcycle off the highway and with the assistance of his son; the motorcycle was loaded onto a trailer and taken to a dealer. The dealer was notified about the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that he would be notified when parts became available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 33,169. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that the part needed was finally available and was replaced.

Mileage: 33,169

20200626POWER TRAIN

DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT A "FLOATING SHAFT" EXISTS IN THE GEARBOX, MEANING THE SHAFT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AXIALLY, AS OPPOSED TO RADIALLY. THIS IS TYPICALLY CAUSED BY INCORRECT TORQUE PROCEDURES OR A DESIGN FLAW TO THE NUT HOLDING THE CLUTCH BASKET ON THE SHAFT. THE NUT WOULD LOOSEN, AND CAUSES THE SHAFT TO START MOVING BACK AND FORTH. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY AS IT CAN LOCK THE REAR WHEEL DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. THE "FLOATING SHAFT" ISSUE IS DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE RIDER/OWNER. APPARENTLY, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER MODELS OF BMW MOTORCYCLES BELOW 30K MILES, AND BMW MOTORRAD USA ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVE NOT PROVIDED A NEW GEARBOX FOR OTHER OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 26,021

20200626SUSPENSION

LEAKS DETECTED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FORKS/SUSPENSION. REQUIRES REPLACING THE FORK SEALS AND REBUILDING THE FORKS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 26,021

20191018FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R1200 GS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A FUEL STATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF ESCONDIDO (LOCATED AT 499 N HALE AVE, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029, (760) 520-1288) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *LN*JB*CW*JB

Mileage: 40,000

20190808FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R 1200 GS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE IT TO A BMW DEALER. BMW MOTORCYCLES OF UTAH (339 9000 S, SANDY, UT 84070, (801) 618-2700) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 1-15753758911. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Mileage: 66,000

20190601STRUCTURE

MY 2013 BMW R1200GS HAD A FRAME FAILURE WHERE THE FRONT SUSPENSION/HANDLE BARS ARE MOUNTED TO. FRAME TORE AT THE TRIPLE TREE MOUNT ON A BIKE USED AS A COMMUTER FOR 54K. THE BIKE WAS AT IDLE ON THE DRIVEWAY AND FELL. THE ONLY POINT OF CONTACT WAS THE ENGINE GUARD. THE FORCE OF ME PICKING UP THE BIKE BY THE HANDLE BARS WAS THE LAST AMOUNT NEEDED TO TEAR THE ALREADY FATIGUED FRAME. I WAS FORTUNATE IT DID FALL THAT DAY, HAD IT NOT AND I RODE IT I WOULDN'T BE HEAR TODAY TO WRITE THIS. *JS

Mileage: 54,000

20180531VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND RECORDS A SPEED 20 MPH BELOW ACTUAL SPEED. THIS LED TO BOTH A SAFETY RISK DUE TO EXCESSIVE SPEED AND AN INABILITY TO ACCURATELY COMPLY WITH THE SPEED LIMIT. EXCESSIVE SPEED IS THE #1 CAUSE OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS. I NEARLY EXPERIENCE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO INACCURATE SPEEDOMETER READING ON A CURVY ROAD. I CALLED BMW AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAFETY RISK

Mileage: 15,000

20141112FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN JUNE 2014 MY MOTORCYCLE WOULDN'T START. I TOWED THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD INFORMED ME THAT MY GASOLINE WAS STALE. I HAD NOT RIDDEN THE MOTORCYCLE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PURCHASE FUEL STABILIZER IF I DO NOT INTEND TO RIDE IT REGULARLY. I PURCHASED THE FUEL STABILIZER AND THEN RODE THE BIKE MONTHLY FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. LAST WEEKEND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. I TOWED THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY AGAIN CLAIMED THE BIKE HAD STALE GASOLINE. THEY CLAIMED THAT SINCE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP LAST TIME, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT AGAIN AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS TIME, I HAD RIDDEN MY BIKE MORE OFTEN AND HAD USED FUEL STABILIZERS AND THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE GASOLINE TO BE STALE. MORE LIKELY THERE IS SOME SORT OF DEFECT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY ARE CLAIMING ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSING TO HELP. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20131207FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF RIDING THE BIKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS MOTORCYCLE'S FUEL SYSTEM STARTS TO HAVE TROUBLE IDLING. FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER THE ENGINE IS HOT THE BIKE SEEMS HAVE PROBLEMS IDLING PROPERLY. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE SLOWING FOR LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, THE BIKE HAS A TENANCY TO STALL. THIS MOTORCYCLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHEN THE MOTOR IS WARM AND THE WHILE BREAKING AFTER DOWN-SHIFTING QUICKLY. IT HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THE BIKE STALLS IN BOTH COLD WEATHER AND IN HOT WEATHER. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO STALL MORE IN HOT WEATHER. NORMALLY, THE BIKE STALLS WHILE DECELERATING AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. THE BIKE HAS 9000 MILES ON IT NOW. STALLS PUT THE RIDER AT RISK OF BEING RUN OVER FROM BEHIND AT TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. HERE IS A VIDEO OF THE LAST TIME I HAD IT HAPPENED: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HIT1MG351LI&FEATURE=C4-OVERVIEW&LIST=UUP6Q_DHA0JUK5WA9VRDY5ZW. *TR

Mileage: 14

Compare 2013BMWR1200 GS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 BMW R1200 GS have?▼
The 2013 BMW R1200 GS has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 BMW R1200 GS?▼
Yes, the 2013 BMW R1200 GS has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SUSPENSION:FRONT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW R1200 GS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2013 BMW R1200 GS is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2013 BMW R1200 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2013 BMW R1200 GS; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.