BMW R1200 RT · model year

2006 BMW R1200 RT

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006BMWR1200 RT carries 42 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 2006 R1200 RT is fuel/propulsion system with 11 filings, followed by power train (7) and fuel system, gasoline (5). 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 2006 R1200 RT. 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.

42
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

42 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 SYSTEM11
POWER TRAIN7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE5
SERVICE BRAKES3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT2
WHEELS2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
STRUCTURE1

Recalls (4)

06V13400024/04/2006

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IF CERTAIN PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMED THAT INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER, THE ABS SENSOR CABLE CAN BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND WHEN THE CALIPER IS REINSTALLED, THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST THE FRONT BRAKE DISC. OVERTIME, IF THE CHAFIN

06V16400015/05/2006

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, UNDER RAPID, REPEATED, AND UNUSUALLY HARSH BRAKING, LOSS OF ABS CAPABILITY COULD TEMPORARILY OCCUR.

20V47100010/08/2020

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

06V10400004/04/2006

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE CLUTCH COMPONENTS COULD BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Recent Complaints

20191011FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R1200 RT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW MOTORCYCLES MCDONOUGH (LOCATED AT 755 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253, (770) 957-7404) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,109. *LN CONSUMER STATED THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED ONCE IN RECALL 13V617 IN 2014. REPAIR HISTORY INDICATES MY BIKE WAS CHECKED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON WHETHER REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. GIVEN THE INFORMATION IN THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENT, EITHER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY OR THERE WAS NOTHING DONE. NO METAL REINFORCING RING WAS PLACED ON THE FUEL PUMP, SO EITHER THE PUMP WA

Mileage: 41,109

20170626ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE FUEL STRIP THAT READS GASOLINE LEVEL IS DEFECTIVE. FIRST REPAIR LASTED LESS THAN 200 MILES. RECENT REPLACEMENT FAILED AS I MADE THE TURN OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FROM THE LAST REPAIR.

20160718POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-79 NEAR PITTSBURGH AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT LET GO. THIS CAUSED THE MOTORCYCLE REAR WHEEL TO INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP AND RELEASE. THE UNIVERSAL HAS NO MEANS TO LUBRICATE IT AND NO NOISE OR VIBRATION WAS HEARD OR FELT BEFORE FAILURE.

Mileage: 104,473

20150113SERVICE BRAKES

AS I WAS DECELERATING FOR A TURN I FELT A SHUDDER AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND LOST REAR WHEEL BRAKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND UPON EXAMINATION OF THE REAR WHEEL DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE DISC WAS SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE MOUNTING FLANGE. EACH OF THE FIVE MOUNTING HOLES HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED THE DISC TO SEPARATE. THE REAR WHEEL IS ALSO BOLTED TO THIS FLANGE. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. MY FEELING IS THAT THIS TYPE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SINCE IT INVOLVES A FAILURE AT SPEED AND RELATES TO THE REAR WHEEL AND REAR BRAKE MOUNTING FLANGE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

Mileage: 74,300

20140927WHEELS

WHILE CHANGING MY REAR BRAKES, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPACER FLANGE THAT ATTACHES THE WHEEL TO THE ROTOR IS CRACKED IN 3 DIFFERENT MOUNTING AREAS. I DO NOT RIDE OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSE THE BIKE. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

20140927SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE CHANGING MY REAR BRAKES, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR SPACER FLANGE THAT ATTACHES THE WHEEL TO THE ROTOR IS CRACKED IN 3 DIFFERENT MOUNTING AREAS. I DO NOT RIDE OFF ROAD OR OTHERWISE ABUSE THE BIKE. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

20140917POWER TRAIN

AS I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I FELT MY MOTORCYCLE ALL OF A SUDDEN WOBBLE AND LOST CONTROL. I STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE TO A STOP BY THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT APPEARED MY FINAL DRIVE (TRANSMISSION ) HAD FAILED PREMATURELY. THERE WERE OIL FROM THE FINAL DRIVE SPLATTERED ALL OVER MY REAR WHEEL. THIS WAS A FREIGHTING EXPERIENCE AND COULD HAVE RESULTANT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO ME BECAUSE OF A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FINAL DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 37,700

20140817FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LEAK: THE PLASTIC AROUND THE FUEL PUMP OUTPUT FITTING IS CRACKED AND LEAKING. MY LEFT LEG WAS COVERED IN GASOLINE AS WELL AS MY LEFT FAIRING. *TR

Mileage: 45,256

20140728SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE RIDING MY BIKE ON 280 SOUTH, I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP. THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, & THE BIKE'S REAR SLID OUT. THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE, DUE TO A FAULTY ABS MODULATOR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WHICH BMW IS WELL AWARE OF. THEY REFUSE TO HAVE A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS PART. *JS

Mileage: 11,260

20140628VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS CRUISING ALONG ON MY BMW R1200 RT AT THE 70MPH SPEED LIMIT WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A RED WARNING TRIANGLE. I IMMEDIATELY LOOK FOR THE NEXT EXIT, BUT BEFORE I GET TO THE EXIT, I ENCOUNTER A HEAVY RAIN. WHEN I TRY TO SLOW THE BIKE, THE BRAKES ARE NUMB, AND VERY DIFFICULT TO PRESS. THIS CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE PANIC, BUT I'M ABLE TO SLOW THE BIKE AFTER A VERY LONG INTERVAL. I PARK THE BIKE AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT THE FAILURE. IT IS DESCRIBED AS A SERIOUS FAILURE WHICH WILL CAUSE THE SERVO ASSIST TO BE DEACTIVATED, BUT THE BIKE IS STILL RIDEABLE. SINCE I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME, I ATTEMPTED TO MANAGE THE PROBLEM AS THE MANUAL RECOMMENDED. THE BIKE IS BASICALLY UNRIDEABLE AND NOT CONTROLLABLE WHEN THIS ERROR APPEARS. THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL YOUR STOP, AND THIS IS NOTHING LIKE JUST LOSING YOUR ABS, AND HAVING TO RESORT TO REGULAR BRAKES. THIS IS LIKE HAVING ABOUT 30% OF YOUR BRAKES AVAILABLE! WHICH

Mileage: 8,735

20131101FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN-TANK FUEL PUMP LEAKS FUEL AT THREADED CONNECTION TO OUTLET QUICK-RELEASE FITTING. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A REINFORCEMENT CLAMP MADE BY A THIRD-PARTY SUPPLIER AND REINSTALLED THE QUICK-RELEASE FITTING WITH A FUEL-RESISTANT THREAD SEALANT, BUT THE FITTING STILL LEAKS. I'LL TRY ADHESIVE INSTEAD, ON THE ADVICE OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FUEL LEAKS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE ON ANY VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY NOT ON A SUPPOSEDLY HIGH-QUALITY MOTORCYCLE. *TR

Mileage: 9,678

20131030FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I SMELLED FUEL (ON AND OFF) ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. WHEN I CAME TO MY PARKING SPACE, THEN I REALLY SMELLED IT. WHEN I LEANED THE BIKE TO PUT IS ON THE SIDE STAND SOME FUEL DRIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE COWLING, RIGHT BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. AFTER WORK, IN THE PARKING LOT, I DISASSEMBLED THE COWLING AND FOUND THAT THE BASE OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY PACKAGE WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FITTING GOES INTO, WAS CRACKED, (NOT ENOUGH PLASTIC AROUND THE FITTING). I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO, AND WAS TOLD THE PART WAS $550 BECAUSE IT INCLUDED THE FUEL PUMP (WHICH I DON'T NEED). I DECIDED THAT I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED PIECE, SO I GOT A CLAMP AND PUT IT OVER THE CRACKED PART, AND EPOXIED IT. MAKING IT A BETTER DESIGN. THE NEXT DAY, I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW PIECE FROM BMW HAS THE SAME SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, A STEEL BAND. I DON'T KNOW IF THEIRS IS STAINLESS STEEL LIKE MINE. AT FIRST, I WOULD HAVE SETTLED FOR JUST THE PART I N

Mileage: 17,125

20131006FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE NOTED FUEL SMELL AND DISCOVERED LEAKING FUEL FROM CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY TOP PLATE WHERE THE PLASTIC HIGH PRESSURE LINE QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING SCREWS IN TO THE TAPERED PIPE THREADS OF THE PLASTIC PLATE. NOTED EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE POOLING WITH POTENTIAL OF DRIPPING ONTO HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS. IF FUEL WERE TO BE IGNITED THERE WOULD LIKELY BE A CATASTROPHIC FIRE AND POTENTIAL CRASH. THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF TRACTION FOR THE REAR TIRE DUE TO LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND, ALSO POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN SPECIFICATION FLAW THAT MAY OCCUR ON ALL THE MOTORCYCLES SIMILARLY EQUIPPED. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS WARRANTS IMMEDIATE ACTION BY BMW, BOTH FOR MOTORCYCLES THAT HAVE YET TO FAIL, AND FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY THE OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 57,012

20130809FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS LEAKING FROM LEFT SIDE FAIRING AFTER RIDING WITH SMALL SPILL OF GAS ON GARAGE FLOOR. TAKEN TO MORTONS BMW DEALER TODAY WHERE DEFECTIVE O-RING AND CRACKS IN FUEL PUMP FLANGE WERE NOTED. PRIOR # JBN1-18051. *TR

Mileage: 20,580

20130808FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL SMELL ON CLOTHING AND LEAKING FUEL FOUND DRIPPING ON HOT EXHAUST DURING STOP AT GAS STATION TO REFUEL. IMMEDIATELY PUSH MOTORCYCLE TO SAFE AREA AWAY FROM GAS STATION TO ASSESS CAUSE OF LEAK. FOUND MULTIPLE CRACKS IN PLASTIC FUEL PUMP HOUSING FLANGE THAT WHICH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT THREADS INTO. FUEL WAS POOLING APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH DEEP ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING AND NEXT TO FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CONTROL RELAY AND WIRING. MOTORCYCLE HAD TO BE TOWED 75 MILES TO NEAREST BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER FOR FUEL PUMP AND HOUSING REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 39,127

20130402FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/3 OF TANK OF FUEL REMAINING AND 110 MILES LEFT BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. BIKE RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE RIDING DOWN HIGHWAY AS TANK WAS EMPTY. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD SAFELY AND CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT READ ACCURATELY SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 22,500

20121207FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I STARTED THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE. A FEW SECONDS AFTER IT STARTED, GASOLINE STARTED TO GUSH FROM THE FRONT OF THE BIKE ONTO THE ENGINE. BEFORE I KNEW IT, I WAS IN A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE. I SHUT IT OFF AS SOON AS I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I MOPPED UP THE GASOLINE OFF OF THE FLOOR TO ELIMINATE THE FIRE DANGER. I LOCKED THE STEERING AND PUT THE KEY AWAY AFTER THAT. *TR

Mileage: 27,658

20120820FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE HIGH PRESSURE OUTLET PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY DEVELOPED CRACKS THAT EXTENDED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE OUTLET INTO THE THREADS. THIS ALLOWED GASOLINE TO SPRAY ONTO THE INNER PORTION OF THE BODY MOLDING AND RAN DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE AND THE RIDERS LEG ON THE LEFT SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 20,120

20120713POWER TRAIN

DURING REAR WHEEL BRAKE REPLACEMENT, FOUND CRACK IN ONE BOLT HOLE THAT SECURES REAR WHEEL TO DRIVE FLANGE. CRACK COULD ALLOW BOLT SECURING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOOSEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 62,387

20120525FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE BEGAN STALLING FREQUENTLY AT END OF RIDING SEASON (FALL 2011) WHEN THE ENGINE WAS AT ITS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. ENGINE STALLING OCCURRED WHEN DECELERATING WITH CLUTCH ENGAGED OR AT IDLE, ENGINE WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED WITHOUT STALLING. THE ENGINE WAS SERVICED/MAINTAINED BY AN AUTHORIZED LOCAL BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER ON 3/10/2012 ? 3/13/2012 WITH HOPES THAT ENGINE WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATING BEHAVIOR FOR THE FOLLOWING RIDING SEASON (2012). THIS SERVICE/ MAINTENANCE INCLUDED BUT WAS NOT LIMITED TO BMW INSPECTION WITH ANNUAL SERVICE, INCLUDES ALL FLUIDS AND VALVE ADJUSTMENT AND THROTTLE BODY SYNCHRONIZATION. BUT ON 5/6/2012 THE BIKE WAS RIDDEN ON ITS FIRST LONG RIDE OF THE SEASON. AFTER RIDING APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES THE BIKE BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DURING THE LAST RIDE IN THE FALL OF 2011. ON 5/8/2012 THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME LOCAL BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE IN MARCH. DURING THE WEEK OF 5/15/2012 THE

Mileage: 42,772

Compare 2006BMWR1200 RT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 BMW R1200 RT have?
The 2006 BMW R1200 RT has 42 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 BMW R1200 RT?
Yes, the 2006 BMW R1200 RT has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW R1200 RT?
The most-complained component for the 2006 BMW R1200 RT is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2006 BMW R1200 RT 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.