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2011 BMW R 1200 R problems

The most common problem on the 2011 BMW R 1200 R is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 13,200 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical R 1200 R model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
36
Worst area
Fuel system

The worst 2011 BMW R 1200 R problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Fuel system
    5
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    5
  • Electrical
    1

Recalls 3

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported February 8, 2021 · 20,963 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
Risk
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 21V060000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported August 10, 2020 · 16,926 vehicles affected
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

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported December 12, 2013 · 50,184 vehicles affected
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

See all 3 recalls for the 2011 BMW R 1200 R

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 BMW R 1200 R 36

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 36 bulletins for the 2011 BMW R 1200 R

What 2011 BMW R 1200 R owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · Fuel system · 24,000 miles · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw r1200. The vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v617000 (fuel system, gasoline). Metal clamps were placed over the fuel pump flange in order to reinforce the piece. The contact stated that the repair failed and the vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel pump. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact was not taken to the dealer for repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. ..updated 12/20/16 *bf

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Fuel system · 1,120 miles · TX

The fuel gauge quit working. The dealer said this was due to the fuel sensor. My bmw has only 1100 miles on it. Multiple post online on my exact model - as well as multiple safety complaints on this very site to the federal safety agency - show this is a fairly common problem. It is an extreme hazard on a motorcycle to run out of gas as a motorcycle bucks as it runs out of gas (dies and catches, etc.) and I almost come off the bike in traffic. And it makes leaving the road difficult so a danger to other traffic (http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/licenses/mcm996.pdf). What I don't understand is why the federal safety agency is doing nothing despite multiple safety complaints on this site over what is now a four (4) year period on something that has a simple fix - a gas gauge. As the 2011 post makes clear, that occupant was "almost hit from behind, and nearly caused a reaction accident ...of cars ...that had to suddenly stop and/or evade contact with other vehicles slowing due to my inability to keep up in traffic." as that poster noted, " I have subsequently discovered my faulty fuel gauge issue is very very common.... Affecting a very significant number of bmw r1200r motorcycles. ... The "repair" is not necessarily a guaranteed fix, mandating that many r1200r owners have to make multiple trips to a bmw dealer to perhaps, and finally, receive a fuel sensor strip that actually is functional." bmw has just announced another recall for this bike but apparently is stalling the federal safety agency on this issue. My dealer is bmw of ft. Worth and they were happy to tell me my warranty expired two weeks before had it brought back in to be fixed (it only has 1100 miles) and I could either pay hundreds of dollars -or- just pick it up as is with a non-functioning and dangerous fuel gauge. No concern whatsoever for my safety or the risk caused by operating a motorcycle with a defective gauge.

Filed Mar 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 16,000 miles · NM

The motorcycle has a "miles to empty" display to instruct the driver when to refuel. Also a graph that displays how much fuel remains ...and a low fuel light. All run by a "fuel strip" inside the gas tank. On this date I ran out of fuel on a busy interstate with 1) no low fuel light. 2) about half a tank showing on the graphic display 3) "159 miles to empty" on the computer. All these items are driven by this faulty fuel strip. It is quite a safety issue to have you engine halt suddenly at speed on a busy urban interstate. I was stranded against the inner guard rail for sometime as 70mph traffic ran buy about 4 feet away. Many of these fuel strips have failed in bmw motorcycles and they need to be replaced by an improved part.

Filed Feb 26, 2013 · Fuel system · 13,200 miles · WA

The fuel gauge showed a rapid loss of fuel, indicating a nearly full tank one moment and then changing to indicate an empty tank in matter of seconds. This was very distracting on the highway and could prove dangerous and lead to an accident..

Filed Feb 24, 2013 · Electrical · 1,512 miles · CO

The fuel gauge quit working. The dealer said this was due to a faulty fuel sensor and this was a fairly common problem. He blamed the ethanol in the gas and said we needed to use an additive to prevent it. *tr if you rely on your gas gauge (who doesn't) and it reads full or part full and you run out of gas in traffic your vehicle could stop and get hit.

Filed Feb 17, 2013 · Fuel system · 1,322 miles · IN

The bmw r1200r motorcycles is equipped with a fuel gauge. The gauge very commonly fails, allowing the operator to believe he/she has sufficient fuel to continue. In my case, I was accelerating while entering a congested freeway when I suddenly ran wholly out of fuel. I was almost hit from behind, and nearly caused a reaction accident composed of cars behind me that had to suddenly stop and/or evade contact with other vehicles slowing due to my inability to keep up in traffic. I have subsequently discovered my faulty fuel gauge issue is very very common.... Affecting a very significant number of bmw r1200r motorcycles. While the faulty gauge issue is addressed by bmw (if the bike is under warranty), the replacement fuel sensor strip (the faulty part) is of the same style as the original fuel sensor strip. Thus, the "repair" is not necessarily a guaranteed fix, mandating that many r1200r owners have to make multiple trips to a bmw dealer to perhaps, and finally, receive a fuel sensor strip that actually is functional.

Compare the 2011 BMW R 1200 R

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Questions about the 2011 BMW R 1200 R

Is the 2011 BMW R 1200 R reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2011 BMW R 1200 R, close to a typical R 1200 R model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 BMW R 1200 R?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 5 complaints, typically around 13,200 miles. Next is electrical (1).

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW R 1200 R have?

3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline.

Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW R 1200 R fuel system?

Yes, 3 recalls: 21V060000, 20V471000, 13V617000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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