The fuel tank {from the inside out} at the filler hole has massive corrosion rendering the tank useless. Fuel has the ability to leak an leak substanially when the bike is in motion. Fume leakage readily apparent as well. Per the certified bmw mechanic an the service supervisor and I agree the fuel tank is useless due to massive pre-mature corrosion an degradation of the tank itself. Note that the motorcycle is maintained under a carport and always out of the elements. This is a known failure with bmw and of course bmw has a history as yall well know of refusing to step up an correct design failures unlike other companies such as toyota. The discovery was made when the well documented fuel strip failure occurred and the 3rd strip was being installed. Holes the size of a postage stamp and "rotten paper thin" degradated metal underneath the filler cap is easily totally detaectable. Per bmw the tank is useless an there is no fix under than replacement- and get this per the bmw dealer quote - this part is obsolet- bmw is not even making a replacement for a 9 yr old bike. It is a fire hazard not only to the motorcycle but to the operator as well. It is clearly a manufactors defect which bmw refuses to address. It presents a situation where the operator should not be in traffic due to being a hazard to himself, passengers, or other drivers. Leaking fuel an fumes present a clear hazard whether in motion or even at idle. Yall must investigate an demand bmw correct this outrageous design flaw, material failure if for no other reason than from a safety viewpoint. Again, this is a known issue for r1200r's and the 1200rt models. Replace the fuel tank is the solution to this problem. Please hold bmw accountable for totally sub-standard workmanship which equates to potentially fatal consequences if not resolved. Thk you
The worst 2008 BMW R 1200 R 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 system7
- Brakes4
- Electrical1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW R 1200 R
Recalls 6
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
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 6 recalls for the 2008 BMW R 1200 R
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 R 50
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...
- BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the...
- One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control...
- BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly...
- When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle...
- Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket...
- The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button
- The hill start control operation may be sporadic.
What 2008 BMW R 1200 R owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuel pump flange leaking due to cracking. Bmw's 1st factory attempt was to put a "sizing" ring on flange to compress the micro cracks which of course was a jackleg approach quite common to bmw motorcycles. Eventually with in 1 yr fuel started massively flowing down onto hot engine making the bike a rolling fireball potentially.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw r1200 r. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the service brake warning light illuminated. The contact lost control of the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS modulator failed and needed be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,210. Updated 5/18/15*cn the consumer stated the dealer advised this failure was a common problem on the three or four model. The consumer believed this failure should have been recalled. Updated 11/16/2015
The ABS pump failed disabling the anti-lock system. I was at the dealer and another cyclist was also there with his 2008 bmw r1200r with exactly the same issue. Apparently these ABS pumps are failing at an unusual rate. If this failure occurred while riding in inclement weather it could result in an accident.
Abs module suddenly quit, rendering the ABS function inoperable.
Fuel gauge failure, suddenly stopped working and reads empty at all times.
Low fuel warning lamp did not come on leading to me running out of fuel on interstate highway. Fuel gauge indicated approximately 1/4 tank (3 bars) but was inaccurate. This is an unsafe condition since loss of engine power from running out of fuel can be quite dangerous on a motorcycle. The "fuel strip" (per bmw nomenclature) fails causing fuel gauge to read inaccurately and rendering low fuel warning lamp inoperative. This is a common failure on many bmw motorcycle models from 2005-2013.
From the dealer's repair order description: "the customer reports the fuel gauge reads low (light on) when full and reads full when empty. Also the residual range to zero counts down from 253 to three dashes in about three miles after every fill-up." fuel level sender part 16147697815 replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw r1200r motorcycle. The contact stated that traveling 55 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the motorcycle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the anti-lock braking system needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 41,100. ...updated 10/10/12 *bf the consumer stated there was loss of braking, when the ABS pump failed.
My 2008 bmw r1200r motorcycle fuel gauge continues to malfunction or does not work. It has been replaced by the dealer multiple occasions. Merging with high speed high volume traffic in the dc area can be very dangerous if you run out of gas due to a fuel gauge error. I had the same problem with my bmw r1200gs adventure motorcycle. My brother has hid gauge changed on his bmw r1200gs adventure at least 5 times.
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Questions about the 2008 BMW R 1200 R
Is the 2008 BMW R 1200 R reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2008 BMW R 1200 R, 1.8 times a typical R 1200 R model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW R 1200 R?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 7 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles. Next is brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW R 1200 R have?
6 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, wheels and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW R 1200 R fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V471000, 13V617000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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