BMW K1200RS Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 2, 2016 · 43 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the BMW K1200RS, across 7 model years (1997–2003). The 2002 model year has the most complaints (18). The most reported problem area overall is fuel system, gasoline.

BMW K1200RS
BMW K 1200 RS, 4-cylinder in-line engine, DOHC, 1171 cm³, 130 hp at 8750 rpm; Construction period 1997 to 2005, 37,992 pieces. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peak: 2002, with 18 complaints
1997: 1199711998: 6199861999: 2199922000: 4200042001: 7200172002: 182002182003: 520035

n = 43 complaints · Source: NHTSA

BMW K1200RS years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical K1200RS year: 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 2002 K1200RS: 18 complaints, 0 recalls
  2. 2001 K1200RS: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
  3. 1998 K1200RS: 6 complaints, 4 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 1997 K1200RS: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
  2. 1999 K1200RS: 2 complaints, 1 recall
  3. 2000 K1200RS: 4 complaints, 1 recall

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common BMW K1200RS problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Fuel System, Gasoline1450
Power Train751
Fuel/propulsion System520
Service Brakes, Hydraulic550
Suspension430
Engine and Engine Cooling320
Service Brakes210
Tires211
Child Seat111
Equipment111
Service Brakes, Electric110
Vehicle Speed Control110

All BMW K1200RS model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2003 K1200RS50—Fuel/propulsion System
2002 K1200RS180—Fuel System, GasolineFar more complaints than other years
2001 K1200RS70—Engine and Engine Cooling
2000 K1200RS41—Fuel System, Gasoline
1999 K1200RS21—Power Train
1998 K1200RS64—Fuel System, Gasoline
1997 K1200RS10—Engine and Engine Cooling

More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which BMW K1200RS years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 2002 (18) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical K1200RS year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the BMW K1200RS?

Fuel System, Gasoline, with 14 complaints across 5 model years.

How many recalls does the BMW K1200RS have?

4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.