Total Complaints
18 filings
BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE · model year
18 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008BMWR1200 GS ADVENTURE carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 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 2008 R1200 GS ADVENTURE is fuel/propulsion system with 5 filings, followed by service brakes (3) and power train (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. This model year has 5 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 2008 R1200 GS ADVENTURE. 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.
Total Complaints
18 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
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
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.
MY BMW MOTORCYCLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME BUT WITH A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT INDICATED ON THE DISPLAY PANEL ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON AND THE MOTORCYCLE ENGAGED TO BE RIDDEN THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, THE ABS MODULE IS COMMONLY FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE THROUGHOUT THE USA AND ABROAD. THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE REPAIR WITH PARTS ALONE IS OVER $2,000 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THESE UNITS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY THE MFG., BMW YET THERE HAS BEEN NO SUCH RECALL. BMW HAS MADE NO ACCOMMODATION TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY OR PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT DESPITE BEING WELL AWARE OF THE FAILURE RATE OF THESE ABS UNITS. OBVIOUSLY, A FAILURE OF THIS MODULE COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH WHILE OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE.
Mileage: 4,800
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE REAR DISK THAT LEAKED ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,591.
Mileage: 56,591
IN HAVING THE BIKE SERVICE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS PUMP UNIT HAS FAILED AND DID SOME TIME AGO. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MANY BMW MOTORCYCLE FROM THE R AND K CLASS OF BIKES AND COULD CAUSE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH WILL CREATE SERIOUS INJURIES
Mileage: 31,000
I WAS RIDING ON THE CENTRAL FREEWAY ON THE BAY BRIDGE APPROACH WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL HEAT ON MY LEFT INNER THIGH. I ALSO NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER OR PLASTIC SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MERGING TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LAST SAN FRANCISCO EXIT BEFORE THE BAY BRIDGE. I FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH THE HEAVY TRAFFIC ALL WHILE LOOKING DOWN TO SEE WHAT LOOKED LIKE EMBERS DROPPING OFF THE LEFT SIDE. I PULLED INTO A SHELL STATION, JUMPED OFF AND PULLED THE BURNING SEAT OFF OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND PATTED IT OUT. I FOUND THAT THE FRONT SEAT RAIL HAD BECOME DISLODGED (IT IS ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY A RUBBER STRAP THAT IS LOOSENED TO ADJUST THE SEAT HEIGHT) AND RUBBED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND ARCED TO THE FRAME. THE SEAT AND THE SEAT BRACKETS WERE MELTED. I WAS ABLE TO COVER UP THE DAMAGED WIRING AND BATTERY ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO SAFELY RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THE DAMAGE EVALUATED BY A SHOP (BAVARIAN CYCLE WORKS IN SAN FRANCISCO.) THE DAMAGE WAS PHOTO
Mileage: 19,000
I WAS RIDING ON THE CENTRAL FREEWAY ON THE BAY BRIDGE APPROACH WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL HEAT ON MY LEFT INNER THIGH. I ALSO NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER OR PLASTIC SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MERGING TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LAST SAN FRANCISCO EXIT BEFORE THE BAY BRIDGE. I FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH THE HEAVY TRAFFIC ALL WHILE LOOKING DOWN TO SEE WHAT LOOKED LIKE EMBERS DROPPING OFF THE LEFT SIDE. I PULLED INTO A SHELL STATION, JUMPED OFF AND PULLED THE BURNING SEAT OFF OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND PATTED IT OUT. I FOUND THAT THE FRONT SEAT RAIL HAD BECOME DISLODGED (IT IS ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY A RUBBER STRAP THAT IS LOOSENED TO ADJUST THE SEAT HEIGHT) AND RUBBED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND ARCED TO THE FRAME. THE SEAT AND THE SEAT BRACKETS WERE MELTED. I WAS ABLE TO COVER UP THE DAMAGED WIRING AND BATTERY ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO SAFELY RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THE DAMAGE EVALUATED BY A SHOP (BAVARIAN CYCLE WORKS IN SAN FRANCISCO.) THE DAMAGE WAS PHOTO
Mileage: 19,000
I WAS RIDING ON THE CENTRAL FREEWAY ON THE BAY BRIDGE APPROACH WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL HEAT ON MY LEFT INNER THIGH. I ALSO NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER OR PLASTIC SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MERGING TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LAST SAN FRANCISCO EXIT BEFORE THE BAY BRIDGE. I FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH THE HEAVY TRAFFIC ALL WHILE LOOKING DOWN TO SEE WHAT LOOKED LIKE EMBERS DROPPING OFF THE LEFT SIDE. I PULLED INTO A SHELL STATION, JUMPED OFF AND PULLED THE BURNING SEAT OFF OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND PATTED IT OUT. I FOUND THAT THE FRONT SEAT RAIL HAD BECOME DISLODGED (IT IS ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY A RUBBER STRAP THAT IS LOOSENED TO ADJUST THE SEAT HEIGHT) AND RUBBED THROUGH THE PROTECTIVE COVER OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND ARCED TO THE FRAME. THE SEAT AND THE SEAT BRACKETS WERE MELTED. I WAS ABLE TO COVER UP THE DAMAGED WIRING AND BATTERY ENOUGH TO ALLOW ME TO SAFELY RESTART THE MOTORCYCLE TO HAVE THE DAMAGE EVALUATED BY A SHOP (BAVARIAN CYCLE WORKS IN SAN FRANCISCO.) THE DAMAGE WAS PHOTO
Mileage: 19,000
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INDICATOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS HAPPENS ON ALL OF THESE MODELS BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL OR EVEN AN ACCEPTABLE FIX FROM BMW. WE ARE ADVISED TO USE OUR ODOMETER AND IGNORE WARNING LIGHTS ON OUR DASHBOARDS. *TR
Mileage: 6,000
ABS SYSTEM FAILED- REQUIRED THE PURCHASE OF $2500 NEW ABS PUMP CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Mileage: 30,292
ABS SYSTEM FAILED- REQUIRED THE PURCHASE OF $2500 NEW ABS PUMP CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Mileage: 30,292
ABS SYSTEM FAILED- REQUIRED THE PURCHASE OF $2500 NEW ABS PUMP CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Mileage: 30,292
FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHOWED EMPTY AFTER REFILLING. FLASHING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. FILLED UP WITH 1/2 GALLON OF 91 OCTANE GASOLINE TO VISIBLE FULL IN TANK. THE TANK WAS NOT EMPTY, FAULTY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE/STRIP. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST WITH NO APPARENT PERMANENT FIX. *TR
Mileage: 12,000
ARBITRARY FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. IT OCCURRED AT 2,200 MILES. OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNINHIBITED EXCEPT FOR A FALSE READING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTER THE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER, THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REGARDLESS OF LEVEL. THIS RESULTS IN A CONSTANT WARNING LIGHT THAT CANNOT BE RESET OR TURNED OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF FUEL SENSOR IN THESE MOTORCYCLES. *TR
Mileage: 2,200
FIRST, MY MOTORCYCLE IS TITLED A 2009 BUT MANUFACTURED IN 2008. THE FLANGE WHERE THE FEMALE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT CRACKED (ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE FUEL TANK) AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT SMELL OF FUEL. ONE OF THE MALE PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECT BROKE WHEN I WAS MAKING THE REPAIR. I ORDERED, RECEIVED AND INSTALLED METAL QUICK-DISCONNECTS AND REPAIRED THE CRACKED FLANGE ITSELF WITH PARTS ORDERED FROM BEEMER BONEYARD. *TR
Mileage: 38,000
WHILE RIDING WITH PRETEEN SON ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, GAS FUMES BECAME APPARENT. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THE TOP OF THE RIDERS RIGHT FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING FUEL VIA SEVERAL CRACKS THUS ALLOWING FUEL TO ESCAPE AND BECOME A HAZARD. THE FOLLOWING HAS ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED TO YOU BUT IT EXPLAINS THE ISSUES WITH THIS FAULTY FUEL PUMP BETTER THAN I COULD FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL QUICK DISCONNECT REINFORCEMENT FLANGE CRACKS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE CYCLING AND LEAKS, SENDING RAW FUEL DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLES LEFT EXHAUST PIPE AND IGNITION SYSTEM COMPONENTS. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE THE COMBINATION OF HIGH FUEL PRESSURE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN CREATE SUBSTANTIAL RISK FOR RIDERS OF THE IMPACTED VEHICLES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE, A FEW OF WHICH ARE OUTLINED BELOW: 1. RIDERS BECOME FUEL SOAKED AS FUEL LEAKS DOWN THE LEFT FAIRING AND THEN IS FORCED BY FAIRING AIRFLOW DYNAMICS ON TO THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. 2. FUEL VAP
Mileage: 30,840
RIGHT ANGLE TRANSMISSION(FINAL DRIVE) BEARINGS FAILED REQUIRING A $2200 REPAIR. POOR DESIGN. ORIGINAL PART NOT AVAILABLE, FIRST MODIFICATION PART NOT AVAILABLE, SECOND MODIFICATION PART REQUIRED TO REPAIR MOTORCYCLE. BMW IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE INADEQUATE PART DESIGN. FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD MOST LIKELY BE FATAL. NEW PART NUMBER 01 33 11 7 726 889 RIGHT-ANGLE GEARBOX WITH VENT, *TR
Mileage: 32,000
2008 BMW R1200GSA FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. PAID EXTRA FOR A COMPUTER THAT IS USELESS W/O IT... LOCAL BMW DEALER ANSWER IS IT IS "NORMAL." "NORMAL" MAY GET ME SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY. *TR
Mileage: 200
2006 GS 1200 BMW MOTORCYCLES,LT MODELS ALSO. MOTORCYCLES HAVE SEALS THAT ARE FAILING ON FINAL DRIVE (REAR END OF CYCLE WHERE REAR TIRE MOUNTS) THIS CAUSES GEAR LUBE TO ESCAPE ONTO REAR TIRE AND BRAKE ROTOR. BEARINGS IN REAR WHEEL WILL FAIL CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO WOBBLE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF CYCLE. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF FIRE. I PERSONALLY HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW WAITING TO GO INTO DEALER FOR REPAIR. BMW CAME OUT WITH A UPDATED FINAL DRIVE ASSY. BUT THEY WILL ONLY PUT IT ON IF THERE IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE DEALER SAY THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. FAILURES TYPICALLY OCCUR AROUND 20,000 MILES OR HIGHER, WHEN CYCLE WILL HOPEFULLY BE OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS,. THESE BIKES SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND FIXED AND OR HAVE THE WARRANTY EXTENDED FOR LIFE. OWNER INCURRED COST OF FIXING THIS COULD GO AS HIGH AS 1,500 DOLLARS. *TR
Mileage: 21,000
2006 GS 1200 BMW MOTORCYCLES,LT MODELS ALSO. MOTORCYCLES HAVE SEALS THAT ARE FAILING ON FINAL DRIVE (REAR END OF CYCLE WHERE REAR TIRE MOUNTS) THIS CAUSES GEAR LUBE TO ESCAPE ONTO REAR TIRE AND BRAKE ROTOR. BEARINGS IN REAR WHEEL WILL FAIL CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO WOBBLE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF CYCLE. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF FIRE. I PERSONALLY HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW WAITING TO GO INTO DEALER FOR REPAIR. BMW CAME OUT WITH A UPDATED FINAL DRIVE ASSY. BUT THEY WILL ONLY PUT IT ON IF THERE IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE DEALER SAY THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. FAILURES TYPICALLY OCCUR AROUND 20,000 MILES OR HIGHER, WHEN CYCLE WILL HOPEFULLY BE OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS,. THESE BIKES SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND FIXED AND OR HAVE THE WARRANTY EXTENDED FOR LIFE. OWNER INCURRED COST OF FIXING THIS COULD GO AS HIGH AS 1,500 DOLLARS. *TR
Mileage: 21,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.