2008 BMW R1200 GS Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other R1200 GS years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW R1200 GS. That ranks 3rd out of 15 R1200 GS model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (16 complaints, 50%), typically at around 23,335 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 32owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 BMW R1200 GS problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 50% | 23,335 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 19% | 35,850 | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 16% | 51,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 9% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 2 | 6% | 16,100 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 6% | 20,900 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 3% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | 20,200 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% | 17,732 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 BMW R1200 GS recalls (8)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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/studs
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 pump
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].
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2008 r1200 gs motorcycles manufactured between august 2006 and january 2008. The sealing of the fuel pump control unit housing might be insufficient and water could intrude into the control unit housing creating a humid atmosphere. Under such conditions, the fuel pump could corrode and then fail.
Risk: Failure of the fuel pump will cause inadequate fuel to reach the engine and cause the engine to stop running. A loss of engine power without warning could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners and replace the fuel pump control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on november 9, 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Electrical system
Problem: 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 pressure sensor signals of the anti-lock brake system (abs) control unit. If this happened, the abs could switch off; however, in such a situation, a warning lamp would illuminate. Normal braking would still be available to slow and stop the motorcycle.
Risk: Any time vehicle control is compromised a crash may occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the necessary components free of charge. The recall began on october 26, 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this happened, lock-up of the rear tire could occur. It is also possible for the transmission housing to break. If this happened, oil could leak onto the rear whee, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the gearbox. The recall began during august 2008. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-331-1117.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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 brake lines could split and start to develop a leak. If the leak became significant, brake fluid could escape. If this happened, the level of fluid in the reservoir of the front brake system could drop.
Risk: If fluid level drops significantly, the front brakes could fail increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and install new brake lines with a modified routing free of charge. The recall began during august 2008. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
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.
- Fuel Leak - Motorcycle (PE12036) — opened Nov 16, 2012, closed Jul 22, 2013.
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 contact owns a 2008 BMW R 1200. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked, the contact smelled fuel on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN…
Fuel strip sensor failure. The fuel strip sensor that sends fuel level information to the motorcycle dash has failed. This is a known issue by BMW. When the strip fails, it no longer sends accurate fuel level information and the fuel indicator on the dash is no longer reliable. In my case, the fuel…
There is a small plastic cam on the throttle body that gets pulled by the throttle cable to control the butterfly valve. They break easily and cause a loss of power and engine control. I have seen many others posting on line with same issue
The contact owns a 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking fuel without warning. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R 1200 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE FUEL SENSOR STRIPS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE MOTORCYCLE TO IRON HORSE MOTORCYCLES (344 E. GRANT RD, TUCSON, AZ, 85716, [redacted] AND THE…
Other BMW R1200 GS years
← 2007 R1200 GS · 2009 R1200 GS →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 R1200 GS | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 R1200 GS | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 R1200 GS | 12 | 2 |
| 2015 R1200 GS | 10 | 2 |
| 2014 R1200 GS | 14 | 3 |
| 2013 R1200 GS | 11 | 4 |
| 2012 R1200 GS | 10 | 1 |
| 2011 R1200 GS | 7 | 3 |
| 2010 R1200 GS | 8 | 3 |
| 2009 R1200 GS | 30 | 4 |
| 2008 | 32 | 8 |
| 2007 R1200 GS | 42 | 6 |
| 2006 R1200 GS | 9 | 9 |
| 2005 R1200 GS | 51 | 9 |
| 2004 R1200 GS | 4 | 3 |
See all BMW R1200 GS problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW R1200 GS?
Owners most often report fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, gasoline, power train problems. The top one, fuel/propulsion system, accounts for 16 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW R1200 GS?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 BMW R1200 GS a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other R1200 GS model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.