NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 BMW R1200C Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 BMW R1200C has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 14 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 1998 BMW R1200C. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1998 BMW R1200C owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 BMW R1200C, describing incidents dated April 14, 1998 to April 15, 2012.

Most-cited components

Engine 5 complaints
Exterior Lighting 5 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 14 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 14 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10458472 · Filed May 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
ODI #10449767 · Filed February 29, 2012
THE FINAL DRIVE STARTED LEAKING GEAR OIL ALL OVER MY REAR DISC BRAKE AND REAR TIRE AND RIM. IT IS UNSAFE TO RIDE LIKE THIS. *TR
ODI #10384009 · Filed February 22, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AND TRYING TO DECELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE…

Read all 14 complaints

BMW/UPPER FORK BRIDGE BOLT

NHTSA #01V217000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 3,342 vehicles

Owners notified December 13, 2001 · Vehicles built June 1, 1997 – June 30, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH CHROME-PLATED FRAMES. COPPER RESIDUE CAN REMAIN IN THE TAPPED HOLE WHERE THE UPPER FORK BRIDGE ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. MOISTURE CAN CAUSE CORROSION TO OCCUR BETWEEN THE COPPER RESIDUE AND THE ALUMINUM FRAME. THE STRESS OF THE CONNECTING BOLT ATTACHING THE UPPER FORK TO THE FRAME COULD THEN DECREASE, LEADING TO LOOSENING, AND ULTIMATELY, BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.

Safety consequence

IF THIS HAPPENED, THE DYNAMIC STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE AFFECTED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REAM THE HOLE IN THE FRAME HEAD AND INSTALL A HELICOIL THREAD INSERT AND A NEW BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS

NHTSA #97V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported August 8, 1997 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 973 vehicles

Owners notified August 11, 1997 · Vehicles built May 1, 1997 – August 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE ADJUSTING SCREW FOR THE PRESSURE POINT OF EITHER THE BRAKE OR CLUTCH LEVERS MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHT, DUE TO GREASE CONTAMINATION OF THE THREADS.

Safety consequence

THE SCREW(S) CAN BACK OUT OVER TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED CAUSING A CHANGE IN THE PRESSURE POINT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE CLUTCH AND/OR FRONT BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK THE ADJUSTMENT SCREWS OF THE FRONT BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS FOR MOVEMENT. IF THE SCREWS ARE TIGHT, NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. IF A SCREW IS FOUND TO BE LOOSE, IT WILL BE REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED WITH NEW LOCTITE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 11, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #5.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 BMW R1200C. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW R1200C.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10458472

Incident: April 15, 2012 · Filed: May 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,600. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF UPDATED 07/16/12. *JB

Power Train

ODI #10449767

Incident: March 16, 2011 · Filed: February 29, 2012

THE FINAL DRIVE STARTED LEAKING GEAR OIL ALL OVER MY REAR DISC BRAKE AND REAR TIRE AND RIM. IT IS UNSAFE TO RIDE LIKE THIS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10384009

Incident: October 1, 2010 · Filed: February 22, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AND TRYING TO DECELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF UPDATED 08/15/11

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10074790

Incident: May 29, 2004 · Filed: June 4, 2004

THE HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL UNIT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COLLAPSED, CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOST OF POWER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT COOS BAY, OREGON WHILE I WAS ON A MULTI-DAY TRIP. I HAD TO RENT A U-HAUL TRUCK TO TRANSPORT THE BIKE TO THE PORTLAND BMW DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT TWO OTHER R1200C MOTORCYCLES WERE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM DURING THE PRIOR WEEK. THIS MAY BE THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED BY ANOTHER COMPLAINT ODI ID# 537575.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10072410

Incident: November 19, 2003 · Filed: May 11, 2004

FUEL LEAKED FROM FUEL DISTRIBUTION SPIDER DIRECTLY ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ONTO THE REAR TIRE. DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER WHO SAID THE MOTORCYCLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME FOR THE PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX IT. UPDATED 04/19/06. *NM UPDATED 04/28/06. *NM

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10028405

Incident: July 12, 2003 · Filed: July 16, 2003

I 0WN A 1998 BMW R1200C CRUISER MOTORCYCLE, I BOUGHT IT NEW. MY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WICH INCLUDES BRAKE LIGHT AND BLINKERS CREATES A CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE CAUSING THE ASSEMBLY TO EVENTUALLY CRACK IN TWO PARTS LOOSING THE LEFT BLINKER ASSEMBLY. I HAVE REPLACED THIS FAULTY PART ONCE BEFORE 2 YEARS AND APPROXIMENTLY 3000 MILES AGO. MY MOTORCYCLE WAS OUT OF WARENTY SO IT COST ME $180.00 FOR A NEW PART PLUS INSTALLATION. THE NEW PART IS CRACKED AGAIN. *AK

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10023744

Incident: March 24, 1999 · Filed: June 25, 2003

TAIL LIGHT ASSY KEEPS CRACKING ON THE UPPER LEFT BOLT, I AM ON MY 4TH TAIL LIGHT AND IT IS ALSO BROKEN. ON THE SAME ASSY THE TURN LIGHT STALKS CAN BRAKE OFF AND JUST HANG BY THE WIRES, THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE TO ME. ON THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL THE LEFT TURN LIGHT BROKE OFF AND WAS HANGING BY THE WIRES, THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE TO ME AND IS STILL BROKEN AT THIS TIME, TEMP FIX WITH A HOSE CLAMP. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10016137

4 injuries

Incident: April 14, 1998 · Filed: April 17, 2003

EXHAUST BURNED MY LEG, MY PASSENGERS LEG AND THE LEG OF OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN PASSENGERS ON MY MOTORCYCLE. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10014423

Incident: April 18, 1998 · Filed: April 15, 2003

MY BMW 1998 R1200 C, HAD OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE SEALS SINCE AT LEAST 300 MILES. THE BIKE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 1998. I COMPLAINED OF A BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE, BUT THE OWNER OF THE STORE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR BMW'S. THE TAILLIGHT BROKE ON THE BIKE AND WERE REPLACED BY BMW, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE OWNER THAT I COULD NOT CLAIM ANY OTHER PROBLEMS ON THE MOTORCYCLE. BMW HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE LABOR COST TO REPAIR THE BIKE, BUT NOT THE FULL COST. THE CURRENT NEW OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF UNDER WARRANTY BY THE OLD OWNER. *JB

Exterior Lighting

ODI #898192

Incident: November 1, 1999 · Filed: October 25, 2001

FRONT AND REAR SIGNAL LIGHTS KEEP BREAKING OFF ON BOTH SIDES UNDER NORMAL WEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES.*AK

Other BMW R1200C model years

Check your 1998 BMW R1200C VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW R1200C at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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