My bmw motorcycle was stationary at the time but with a brake failure warning light indicated on the display panel once the ignition was turned on and the motorcycle engaged to be ridden the motorcycle has less than 5,000 miles on it. After doing some internet research, the ABS module is commonly failing at an alarming rate throughout the USA and abroad. The estimated value of the repair with parts alone is over $2,000 not including labor. These units should have been recalled by the mfg., bmw yet there has been no such recall. Bmw has made no accommodation to extend the warranty or provide a replacement despite being well aware of the failure rate of these ABS units. Obviously, a failure of this module could cause severe injury or death while operating the motorcycle.
The worst 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system11
- Brakes3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Engine1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Recalls 7
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V471000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 15V141000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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].
Recall number 13V617000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 10V276000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 09V129000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the gearbox. The recall began during august 2008. Owners should contact bmw at 1‑800‑331‑1117.
Recall number 08V290000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 08V254000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Defect investigations
Fuel Leak - Motorycle
ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V‑617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V‑617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and the MY 2012 K1600 motorcycles.The total number of motorcycles subject to this recalled is 50,184.The 55 reports cited in this investigation can be viewed at: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following complaint identification numbers:10485789,10449393,10521322,10475150,10435325,10493015,10471642, 10448216,10488899,10356156,10433733,10442023,10492342,10435968, 10492961,10504324,10485882,10433013,10453738,10474390,10417320, 10485276,10444876,10508150,10485807,10492118,10491835,10425962, 10430734,10488652,10485274,10493320,10522421,10399423,10443840, 10448325,10490417,10485452,10433589,10467136,10420291,10503806, 10532145,10523763,10523626,10425514,10354202,10437222,10444742, 10454834,10532172,10487624,10435984,10452476, 10485337
EA13006
Fuel Leak - Motorcycle
Owners of model year (MY) 2005-2008 R-Series motorcycles report substantial, high pressure fuel loss occurring when the fuel pump is energized.Many times they first become aware of the problem when fuel soaks their pant legs or is puddled under their parked motorcycle.The Office of Defects investigation (ODI) has obtained an owner video illustrating the issue.This video, and other material, may be found in the public file at ODI has learned that the subject fuel leak is due to cracks in the fuel outlet quick connector located on the in-tank fuel pump housing.While some owners, reluctant to incur the expense to replace the fuel pump assembly, have undertaken frequently ineffective do-it-yourself repairs primarily involving adhesive patches, two other remedies are available.The first, found in the after-market, is an aluminum clamp designed to reinforce the fuel outlet threaded flange.The second is BMW?s own remedy, appearing in early 2011, following introduction of the aftermarket clamp.It, too, involves a metal collar designed to support the fuel outlet threaded flange.In January 2004 BMW conducted safety recall 04V028 involving 2000 to 2004 Model Year K and R Series motorcycles for a pressurized fuel leak.In this case an O-ring in a fuel line quick connector could become damaged and BMW identified the potential for fire as a consequence of this failure.In its recall, influenced by an ODI investigation (PE03-054), BMW judged the fire risk to be low and the fuel loss to be insignificant -- occurring most often during cold starts -- resulting most often from improper servicing of the fuel line quick connector by its dealers. All of the complaints and warranty claims referenced in this resume involve verified fuel leaks rather than owners simply expressing a concern that a leak may develop in their subject motorcycle. With summer approaching and seasonal motorcycle usage increasing, ODI has upgraded PE12-036 to EA13-006 to further evaluate this issue, monitor fuel leak frequency, and determine the risk associated with the alleged fuel leaks.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following complaint identification numbers: 540232, 765847, 10074376, 10159252, 10236289, 10339245, 10356156, 10417320, 10425962, 10430734, 10430822, 10432269, 10433589, 10433733, 10436885, 10437222, 10442023, 10443840, 10444670, 10444742, 10444876, 10445888, 10445954, 10448104, 10448104, 10448325, 10448592, 10449393, 10451907, 10452476, 10453738, 10460566, 10463408, 10463946, 10467136, 10470251, 10471518, 10471642, 10474390, 10475150, 10474390, 10475150, 10480052, 10480834, 10485274, 10485276, 10485292, 10485337, 10485348, 10485351, 10485376, 10485434, 10485452, 10485783, 10485789, 10485796, 10485807, 10485882, 10487501, 10487624, 10488652, 10488899, 10490417, 10490868, 10491835, 10492118, 10492342, 10492961, 10493015, 10493320, 10494927, 10494899, 10495307, 10496593, 10503488, 10503806, 10504130, 10504324, 10508135, 10508150
PE12036
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure 54
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models
- BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender...
- Multiple factors may
- BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the...
- Multiple factors may
- Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special...
- One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control...
- When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle...
- The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button
What 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw r1200 gs adventure. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed an engine oil leakage from the rear disk that leaked onto the rear tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,591.
In having the bike service was informed that the ABS pump unit has failed and did some time ago. This is happening on many bmw motorcycle from the r and k class of bikes and could cause complete brake failure unexpectedly which will create serious injuries
I was riding on the central freeway on the bay bridge approach when I began to feel heat on my left inner thigh. I also noticed a burning rubber or plastic smell. I immediately began merging to the right as I was approaching the last san francisco exit before the bay bridge. I fought my way through the heavy traffic all while looking down to see what looked like embers dropping off the left side. I pulled into a shell station, jumped off and pulled the burning seat off of the motorcycle and patted it out. I found that the front seat rail had become dislodged (it is only held in place by a rubber strap that is loosened to adjust the seat height) and rubbed through the protective cover of the positive battery terminal and arced to the frame. The seat and the seat brackets were melted. I was able to cover up the damaged wiring and battery enough to allow me to safely restart the motorcycle to have the damage evaluated by a shop (bavarian cycle works in san francisco.) the damage was photographed and I am awaiting parts to arrive from germany to carry out the repairs. I have located a machine shop that sells a kit to modify the seat to prevent this from occurring again. The kit eliminates the solid metal bar that runs across the width of the seat. It uses two shorter rods only where they are needed to locate the seat in its front holder. Needless to say, I ordered one right away.
Fuel level sensor indicator failed and needed replacement. This happens on all of these models but there has not been a recall or even an acceptable fix from bmw. We are advised to use our odometer and ignore warning lights on our dashboards.
Abs system failed- required the purchase of $2500 new ABS pump control module.
Fuel level indicator showed empty after refilling. Flashing lights indicating problem with vehicle. Filled up with 1/2 gallon of 91 octane gasoline to visible full in tank. The tank was not empty, faulty fuel level gauge/strip. This item has been replaced in the past with no apparent permanent fix.
Arbitrary failure of the fuel level sensor. It occurred at 2,200 miles. Operation of the motorcycle was uninhibited except for a false reading on the fuel gauge. After the failure and replacement of the recalled fuel pump controller, the fuel gauge reads empty regardless of level. This results in a constant warning light that cannot be reset or turned off. This problem is well documented and a common issue with this type of fuel sensor in these motorcycles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw r1200 gs adventure motorcycle. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the fuel pump electronics needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 3,300.
First, my motorcycle is titled a 2009 but manufactured in 2008. The flange where the female fuel line quick-disconnect cracked (on the left and right sides of the fuel tank) and there was a slight smell of fuel. One of the male plastic quick disconnect broke when I was making the repair. I ordered, received and installed metal quick-disconnects and repaired the cracked flange itself with parts ordered from beemer boneyard.
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Questions about the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Is the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure reliable?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, 3.6 times a typical R 1200 GS Adventure model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 11 complaints, typically around 11,967 miles. Next is brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure have?
7 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, wheels and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V471000, 13V617000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure have the most fuel system problems?
The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2007 (16 complaints) and 2008 (11 complaints).
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