BMW R1200 GS · model year

2013 BMW R1200 GS

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013BMWR1200 GS carries 5 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 2013 R1200 GS is fuel/propulsion system with 3 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (1) and structure (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 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 2013 R1200 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.

5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

5 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 SYSTEM3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STRUCTURE1

Recalls (4)

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

Recent Complaints

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 BMW R1200 GS have?
The 2013 BMW R1200 GS has 5 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 4 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 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and STRUCTURE.
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.

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.