2005 BMW R1200 GS problems
NHTSA has received 65 complaints about the 2005 BMW R1200 GS, and 31% of them involve fuel system. After that come drivetrain & axles (28%) and brakes (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 65 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 32,000 miles 61 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 25 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 14 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 61 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 32,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 35,000 miles (19 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the BMW R1200 GS with enough data (26 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 9 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
In the last seven years, I have ridden over 100,000 miles on six different BMW motorcycles, all purchased new. I ride year-round and have always used an electric vest to avoid hypothermia. In september, 2005 I purchased a new 2005 BMW r1200rt motorcycle. During a cross-country ride in may, 2006, my non-BMW brand electric vest failed to function during rain and cold temperatures encountered in south dakota. The next day, I experienced unusual fatigue, went off the road in kansas, totaled the bike and broke my leg.
Rear drive failure while riding two up, oil soaked rear wheel, wheel wobble. Between wobble and oil control lost (and slow speed at that point).
2005 BMW r1200gs. ABS off, blinking brake failure, only residual braking. Dealer reset the ABS computer, but came back after one week, only residual braking now, (require extra ordinary lever grip to stop) this if not prepared to stop could cause a crash, what is causing the ABS to deactivate. Now the brake light is stuck on bright, no ABS, residual braking, dealer told me to drive it in, is that safe? No working brake light? BMW should investigate problem and correct problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW r1200 gs motorcycle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection where they detected that the drive-line seal was leaking internally. The contact referenced a concurrent investigation under NHTSA campaign id number: dp12001 (power train:drive line:differential unit) that could have been related to the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Replaced rear tire and noticed cracks on hub flange. Went online to see if any body else had same problem . Found many other complaints. Years 2004-2007. Part was redesigned and replaced from 2008 thru present. Want to report before somebody dies or is seriously injured. Needs to be recalled by BMW.