Total Complaints
4 filings
BMW R1200 GS · model year
2018 BMW R1200 GS
4 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 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
The 2018BMWR1200 GS carries 4 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2018 R1200 GS is engine with 2 filings, followed by steering (1) and electrical system (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 2 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 2018 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.
4
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recalls (2)
17V48100028/07/2017
EQUIPMENT
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equi
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
Recent Complaints
20250515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW R 1200 GS. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's decreased and the motorcycle lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with corrosion on the Dynamic Motor Engine (DME) connector pins. The contact was informed that the DME connector pins needed to be cleaned. The motorcycle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,500.
Mileage: 11,500
20210821ENGINE
Vehicle reported engine fault and cut engine power while on freeway (commonly known as "limp mode"). It was extremely dangerous trying to find somewhere to pull over with very little engine power. It has happened several times now. Vehicle is now longer safe for freeway use. It also happened once mid corner which upsets the chassis and is quite dangerous on a motorcycle. Dealer performed a software update and cleared codes on 10/29/2020 which clearly did not fix anything. No warning is given. Power is just suddenly removed.
20201106CrashSTEERING
WITHOUT WARNING THE MOTORCYCLE STEERING WENT INTO WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOW AS "DEATH WOBBLE" OR "TANK SLAPPING" WITH THE STEERING UNCONTROLLABLE RAPIDLY MOVING RIGHT TO LEFT AND IMMEDIATELY CRASHING CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES TO DRIVER.
Mileage: 8,000
20201008ENGINE
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO TICKET # 11363230. RELATED TO THIS SAME VEHICLE. I WENT FOR A RIDE TODAY AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, WITH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTTING ALMOST COMPLETELY DOWN. LUCKILY, IT WAS ON A DESERTED COUNTRY ROAD AND NOT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM ATTACHING A PDF OF THE OBD SCAN I TOOK UPON RETURNING HOME TODAY. ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DEFECT IS SHOWING UP ON A NUMBER OF THESE BIKES--THERE IS A THREAD DISCUSSING THE ISSUE AT: HTTPS://FORUMS.BMWMOA.ORG/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?98612-2018-R1200RT-WITH-INTERMITTENT-CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT&P=1223053#POST1223053
Mileage: 12,100
Compare 2018BMWR1200 GS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2018 BMW R1200 GS have?▼
The 2018 BMW R1200 GS has 4 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS?▼
Yes, the 2018 BMW R1200 GS has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW R1200 GS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2018 BMW R1200 GS is ENGINE with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2018 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 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 2018 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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.