2010 BMW R 1200 RT Recalls & Complaints

Incident: August 14, 2026 · Filed: August 30, 2026

I own a 2010 BMW R1200RT motorcycle. The motorcycle was subject to BMW’s fuel-pump recall, and the recall repair was performed in 2014. The motorcycle has now developed a crack in the fuel-pump flange at the base of the female quick-disconnect fuel fitting. The crack is allowing gasoline to leak under pressure. The motorcycle has the metal reinforcement ring associated with the previous recall repair. This failure is particularly concerning because the fuel-pump flange and quick-disconnect area were the subject of BMW’s previous safety recall involving cracking and fuel leakage. I understand that my motorcycle may not currently be listed as subject to BMW’s later 20V-471 recall because of the repair performed in 2014. However, I am reporting this as a new safety defect because the fuel-pump/flange assembly has now failed again and is leaking gasoline. I am concerned that a previously recalled and repaired fuel-system component has developed another crack in the same critical area, creating a potential fire hazard. I have photographs documenting the crack, the metal reinforcement ring, and the component markings. I can provide the photographs and the 2014 repair documentation. I request that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether this represents a continuing or recurring safety defect involving the BMW R1200RT fuel-pump flange and quick-disconnect fitting.

Incident: August 30, 2020 · Filed: September 19, 2020

I HAVE A 2010, R1200RT MOTORCYCLE THAT IS SPRAYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF ATOMIZED GAS OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP HOUSING FROM A HAIRLINE CRACK NEAR THE HIGH PRESSURE OUTLET. THE HOUSING IS A NON WEAR PART. IN LOOKING AT THE RECALLS I SEE THAT ON DECEMBER 12, 2013 THERE WAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN (NHTSA # 13V617000) ON FUEL LEAKS FOR MY MOTORCYCLE THAT DESCRIBES MY ISSUE EXACTLY. I REQUESTED THAT BMW TAKE ACTION AND FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. THEY HAVE REFUSED. I BELIEVE THAT THEIR SCOPE ANALYSIS OF THE VINS WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS TOO NARROW. I SEE THAT I WILL NOW BE THE 4TH COMPLAINT FILED THIS YEAR AND IS A PATTERN THAT NEEDS ADDRESSED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THERE IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION OF A FIRE DEVELOPING WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING OR STOPPED. THIS IS NOT A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE CAN SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE FLASH FIRE WHILE DRIVING. IT'S EFFECTS (BURNS, LOSING CONTROL) ARE INSTANT TO THE MOTORCYCLE DRIVER.

Incident: January 30, 2019 · Filed: June 20, 2019

REAR BRAKE LINE ADAPTER LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THIS IS AN ALUMINUM FITTING THAT CONNECTS THE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO THE FLEXIBLE LINE GOING TO THE REAR WHEEL. CRACKS FORMED ON BOTH THREADED ENDS. BMW PART NUMBER 34327679297. I REPLACED THIS PART MYSELF . THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY .

Incident: May 23, 2019 · Filed: May 28, 2019

THE FUEL GAUGE MISREAD THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN MY TANK CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS AT A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. I HAD TO GET OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND PUSH IT ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC (THE ONLY DOWNHILL OPTION) TO A SAFE PLACE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO WALK FOR 2 MILES TO PURCHASE A GAS CAN AND FUEL IN ORDER TO RESTART AND MOVE THE BIKE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MY GAS GAUGE FAILED. THE SENSOR FOR THE GAS GAUGE HAS NOW FAILED 3 TIMES. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ABLE TO COAST UP A DRIVEWAY HILL INTO A SAFE CHURCH PARKING LOT. THIS WAS SO LUCKY AS NO SHOULDER WAS AVAILABLE. RECENTLY, THE THIRD TIME IT FAILED I NOTICED THE FUEL GAGE WAS ACTUALLY GOING UP AS I WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. IT WENT FROM 1/2 TANK TO ALMOST FULL. THE FUEL STRIP (FUEL SENSOR) IN THE GAS TANK IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF FAILURE. I NOW HAVE THE 3RD FUEL STRIP REPLACEMENT SCHEDULED FOR 7/12/2019. IF I RUN OUT OF FUEL IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY DURING A RUSH HOUR TIME PERIOD, I COULD LITERALLY BE KILLED (EXAMPLE: I LIVE IN ATLANTA AND HAVE BEEN IN RUSH HOUR ON I-75 / I-285 WHICH IS ABOUT 8-9 LANES WIDE WITH TIGHT AND FAST MOVING CARS AND TRUCKS). THE FUEL TANK ON THE 2010 BMW R 1200 RT DOES NOT HAVE AN EMERGENCY FUEL RESERVE PETCOCK. IF THE FUEL GAUGE OVERSTATES THE REMAINING FUEL, AND THE BIKE RUNS OUT OF FUEL, THERE IS NO AVAILABLE RESERVE. THERE IS NO SAFETY MARGIN. I JUST PURCHASED A FUEL BOTTLE TO CARRY ON THE MOTORCYCLE FOR AN EMERGENCY. I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF CARRYING FUEL IN THIS MANNER, NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO. I CANNOT LOCK IT SAFELY LEAVING OPEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VANDALISM, AND I CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT LEAK OR RUPTURE. PHOTOS: PHOTOS WERE TAKEN WHEN BIKE WAS OUT OF FUEL AND DISPLAYING MILES REMAINING AND FUEL LEVEL. TANK HOLDS 6.6 GL AND I SEE 43 MPG. THERE SHOULD BE ABOUT A GALLON LEFT IN THE TANK... THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE.

Incident: November 28, 2016 · Filed: February 7, 2017

FUEL GAUGE FAILURE COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MOTORCYCLE GAUGE FAILED WHILE TRAVLING.

Incident: December 8, 2016 · Filed: December 8, 2016

FUEL SENSOR SHOWS YOU HAVE FUEL WHEN IT HAS NONE AND LET'S YOU RUN OUT AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. BMW HAS AN EXTENDED RECALL WHERE THEY WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL STRIP WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE FUEL STRIP. I HAVE HAD THIS DONE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF COMING UP WITH A REPLACEMENT PART THAT ACTUALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THEY SEEM TO THINK THEY ARE UNTOUCHABLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE MADE THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH KEEPS PROCESSES WHICH COULD BE PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE THEM REPAIR THE PROBLEM OTHER THAN IF ENOUGH PEOPLE WOULD CONTCACT THE FEDERAL TRADES COMMISSION AT 1-877-382-4357 AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AND IF ENOUGH PEOPLE DID THEY COULD MAKE THEM STRAIGHTEN OUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH THEY ARE CALLING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THANKS FOR ANY HELP OR INPUT.

Incident: August 2, 2016 · Filed: August 2, 2016

I OWN A 2010 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE AND THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE HANDLEBAR MOUNTED SWITCH GEAR. THE SAID COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE CAUSING INOPERABLE HIGH BEAMS, CRUISE CONTROL, TURN SINGLES, AND HORN, BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS THE START/RUN SWITCH AND THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE CAUSING A NO START CONDITION AT THE VERY LEAST THE REAL DANGER IS WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS WHEN UNDER POWER WHICH HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

Incident: April 1, 2015 · Filed: April 9, 2015

AS MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED, I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE FINAL DRIVE (REAR END). I ENDED A SHORT TRIP AND BECAME AWARE OF HIGH HEAT COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. I TRAILERED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE, WORN BEARINGS AND A WOBBLY REAR WHEEL. THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS A DRY PARK REQUIRING NO MX ON MY PART AND COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION FOR ITS PREMATURE FAILURE. UPON MY WEB RESEARCH, THE "DREADED FINAL DRIVE FAILURE" IMMEDIATELY POPS UP ON MANY SITES AND ONE SUGGESTED I FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. *TR

Incident: November 7, 2012 · Filed: November 8, 2012

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY MOTORCYCLE RAN OUT OF FUEL EVEN THROUGH THE FUEL GAUGE WAS READING 1/4 TANK. IT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ENGINE JUST STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT MY MOTORCYCLE FUEL SENSOR HAS FAILED. WE NEED BMW TO RECALL AND INSTALL A FLOAT SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE NEW MODELS. BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR