2008 BMW K1200 GT Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 1, 2021 · 34 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other K1200 GT years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 6 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW K1200 GT. That is the most of any K1200 GT model year in the database (6 years). The most reported problem area is service brakes (11 complaints, 32%), typically at around 20,003 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

BMW K1200 GT
Battleship grey BMW K1200GT. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kilbegan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 BMW K1200 GT problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes11 · ~20,003 mi
Power Train8 · ~15,783 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline6 · ~5,951 mi
Fuel/propulsion System5 · ~48,700 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3 · ~7,000 mi
Electrical System1 · ~22,400 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~22,400 mi
Unknown or Other1 · ~160 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes1132%20,003——
Power Train824%15,783——
Fuel System, Gasoline618%5,951——
Fuel/propulsion System515%48,700——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic39%7,000——
Electrical System13%22,400——
Engine and Engine Cooling13%22,400——
Unknown or Other13%160——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2008, with 7 complaints
2008: 7200872009: 1200912010: 1201012011: 1201112012: 4201242013: 4201342014: 7201472015: 5201552016: 3201632021: 120211

n = 34 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 BMW K1200 GT recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpAug 10, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V471000 · 16,926 vehicles

Problem: 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-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studsMar 11, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V141000 · 43,426 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.

Risk: If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpDec 12, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V617000 · 50,184 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Suspension:rearOct 8, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V488000 · 11,826 vehicles

Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 motorcycles. The bearings could be subject to corrosion. This could lead to reduced movement of the link lever.

Risk: This could affect the handling of the motorcycle increasing the risk a driver may lose control of the vehicle resulting in a crash.

Fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2011. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 18, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V276000 · 15,532 vehicles

Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 r 1200 and k 1200 series motorcycles manufactured from august 2006 through may 2009. Due to the current routing of the front brake lines, it is possible that during riding, and therefore associated vibration. The brake lines could be under strain. If the vibration/strain is significant, the brake line could split and start to develop a leak.

Risk: If this goes unnoticed, and the brake fluid reservoir runs empty, the front brakes could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will install new brake lines, containing a "sleeve" along a portion of the lines free of charge. The safety recall began on september 20, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:discJun 4, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V245000 · 548 vehicles

Problem: Bmw is recalling 548 my 2008 k1200 s and gt motorcycles. The fasteners used to secure the front brake-disc may not be long enough to ensure a secure mounting. Over time, these fasteners could loosen. If that happened, the brake disc would no longer be securely mounted.

Risk: Failure to observe the following precautions, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the rider's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and install a longer front brake disc fasteners and reroute the sensor cable free of charge. The recall began during august 2008. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

Engine and engine cooling:engineJun 2, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V239000 · 39 vehicles

Problem: Bmw is recalling 30 my 2008 k1200 s and k1200 gt motorcycles. A set screw may not have been installed at its specific location within the oil duct. Consequently, an adequate supply of oil may not circulate within the engine.

Risk: It is possible that connecting rod and crankshaft damage could occur. If this happened, the engine could seize. If the motorcycle was in gear, engine seizing could result in lock-up of the rear tire, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a set screw in the oil duct. The recall began during august 2008. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-331-1117.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Fuel Leak - Motorycle (EA13006) — opened Jul 12, 2013, closed Jan 31, 2014, led to recall 13V617000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE ON THIS 2008 BMW K1200GT IS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE BELOW. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS SEEN IN THIS LINK: HTTPS://WWW.ASPHALTANDRUBBER.COM/RECALL/BMW-FUEL-FLANGE-LEAK-RECALL-2020/ AND ALSO AT THE LINK BELOW WHICH SHOWS NHTSA'S LETTER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Mar 1, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11398414

Fuel level sensor failure. Ran out of fuel while driving at highway speeds on interstate 90 eastbound in ny milepost 460.5. Fuel gauge showed 1/4 tank of fuel. No warning issued by motorcycle to rider. Bike just suddenly slowed in traffic. This is 4th time for this failure (had it repaired by bmw…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jul 20, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10886042

Fuel level sensor failure. Ran out of fuel while driving at highway speeds on interstate 90 westbound near mitchell, sd. Fuel gauge showed 1/8 tank of fuel. No warning issued by motorcycle to rider. Bike just suddenly slowed in traffic. This is 3rd time for this failure.

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jul 20, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10886044

Abs failed with no warnings, total loss of braking power. I beleive this was a significant failiure. Happend on my brothers bike as well 2 months later. Less then 30k miles and just past 3 years... Happened during ride on freeway on first use of brake. I had to pay to replace. Bmw claimed it is not…

Service Brakes · received Jul 8, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10883550

7/19/11 single vehicle accident, 5-10 mph, when gas cap came open and fuel dumped all over victim and motorcycle. Rider 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 40% of his body, ultimately resulted in amputation of both legs. Previous to the accident, driver took the motorcycle to dealership multiple times to…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Sep 27, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10777932

Other BMW K1200 GT years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW K1200 GT?

Owners most often report service brakes, power train, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, service brakes, accounts for 11 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW K1200 GT?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 BMW K1200 GT a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other K1200 GT model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.