NHTSA vehicle safety data
2020 BMW R 1250 RT Recalls & Complaints
The 2020 BMW R 1250 RT has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2020 BMW R 1250 RT owner complaints
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT, describing incidents dated February 8, 2020 to March 28, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Service Brakes 5 complaints
- Power Train 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11592588 · Filed
BMW Motorrad had a safety check on the driveshafts/ u joints for R1200 and R 1250 GS and RT motos. I had mine checked at D2 Powersports in Q3 or Q4, 2023 and it passed. No paperwork was given. On 3/28/24 the driveshaft / U joint failed on NC 178 south of Rosman, NC. Had this locked up in a corner it…
ODI #11373224 · Filed
AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE LEAKING HAYES CALIPERS ON MY 2020 BMW R1250RT MOTORCYCLE THERE WAS A RECALL AND I DID RECEIVE A SECOND SET OF HAYES CALIPERS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. IN A MATTER OF DAYS THE REPLACEMENT RECALLED HAYES CALIPERS WERE ALSO LEAKING BMW SENT OUT TWO ENGINEERS…
ODI #11360272 · Filed
TWO VIDEOS OF MY LEAKING BRAKES AFTER GETTING THEM REPLACED FROM THE RECALL. STILL A PROBLEM AS THEIR FIX IS LEAKING LIKE THE ORIGINAL. TWO VIDEOS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=2H3HTJT6NM4 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=INYT6SPUYYA
Gearbox Input Shaft May Break
NHTSA #23V011000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission — Internal — Shaft — Input · NHTSA notice
Reported January 18, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 18,534 vehicles
Repair completion: 84.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified February 22, 2023
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Safety consequence
A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Front Brake Calipers May Leak/FMVSS 122
NHTSA #20V476000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice
Reported August 13, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 9,392 vehicles
Repair completion: 90.3% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified March 8, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Safety consequence
Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Final Drive Pivot Pin may Come Loose
NHTSA #20V165000 · Power Train — Driveline · NHTSA notice
Reported March 19, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 4 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified April 28, 2020
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.
Safety consequence
A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Brake Fluid Cap Missing Information/FMVSS 122
NHTSA #20V166000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice
Reported March 19, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 365 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.44% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 23, 2020
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Safety consequence
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Brake Fluid Cap Missing Information/FMVSS 122
NHTSA #20E013000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice
Reported March 19, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 49 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 14, 2020
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Safety consequence
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other BMW R 1250 RT model years
Check your 2020 BMW R 1250 RT VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW R 1250 RT at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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