The contact owns a 2008 BMW R 1200. The contact stated that while the motorcycle was parked, the contact smelled fuel on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign number: 20V471000 (Fuel system, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The worst 2008 BMW R1200 GS 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 system24
- Transmission5
- Electrical3
- Engine2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
Recalls 8
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
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2008 r1200 gs motorcycles manufactured between august 2006 and january 2008. The sealing of the fuel pump control unit housing might be insufficient and water could intrude into the control unit housing creating a humid atmosphere. Under such conditions, the fuel pump could corrode and then fail.
- Risk
- Failure of the fuel pump will cause inadequate fuel to reach the engine and cause the engine to stop running. A loss of engine power without warning could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners and replace the fuel pump control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on november 9, 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 09V319000 · 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 8 recalls for the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
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 R1200 GS 68
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...
- 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...
What 2008 BMW R1200 GS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuel strip sensor failure. The fuel strip sensor that sends fuel level information to the motorcycle dash has failed. This is a known issue by BMW. When the strip fails, it no longer sends accurate fuel level information and the fuel indicator on the dash is no longer reliable. In my case, the fuel level reads full permanently even though fuel has been completely depleted. BMW's remedy is/was to replace the faulty fuel strip with another of the same faulty design rendering a situation where the rider can never rely on the fuel gauge. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the issue which results in unsafe riding conditions when the engine suddenly dies unexpectedly from lack of fuel.
There is a small plastic cam on the throttle body that gets pulled by the throttle cable to control the butterfly valve. They break easily and cause a loss of power and engine control. I have seen many others posting on line with same issue
The contact owns a 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking fuel without warning. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw r 1200 gs motorcycle. The contact stated that the motorcycle fuel sensor strips were replaced three times, under the manufacturer warranty repair. The contact had taken the motorcycle to iron horse motorcycles (344 e. Grant rd, tucson, az, 85716, (520) 327-0773 and the third fuel sensor strip was replaced however, the repair failed to fix the failure. The contact stated the fuel tank read empty whether the fuel tanks was full or empty. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage 50,956.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw r 1200 gs. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, without warning an abnormal odor appeared as fuel poured onto the contact. The contact coasted the motorcycle to the shoulder of the roadway and contacted his friend who hauled the motorcycle back to the contact's residence. Big #1 motorsports (505 cobb street, 1-65 & oxmoor rd birmingham, al 35209) was contacted and informed the contact that the motorcycle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v471000 (fuel system, gasoline). The motorcycle was not repaired a second time. The contact stated that the fuel tank was previously repaired three times. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Fuel is leaking from gas tank flange onto hot engine.
In 2014 there was a bmw recall on the fuel pump and aux pump flange and the previous owner that owned the bike replaced the pump and flange at that time. It is now only 6 years later; last year I paid my local dealer $382 to replace the auxiliary fuel pump and gasket in may of 2019, and currently (august 15, 2020) I am paying $743 to replace the main fuel pump and flange. My questions are: why didn't the 2014 recall solve the initial problem with the cracked and leaking flange and is this going to be a re-occurring problem every 5 to 6 years? The auxilary fuel pump flange and the main fuel pump flange leak was noticible when I first started up my motorcycle. Fuel was standing / present on top of the fuel pump and aux. Fuel pump when I started the bike. I believe that the flange and the quick connect lines are defective on my bike and that this event is going to keep re-occuring every 5 to 6 years. There has been a recall on certain bmw r1200gs motorcycles by bmwusa, but the customer service representative has informed me that my VIN # is not covered under the recall, but he failed to explain why ity wasn't.
This is a severe fuel leak that was first noticed when riding the motorcycle when I began to smell gas. As soon as I could get it parked, fuel started pouring out of the fuel pump area. I started my motorcycle again and fuel continued to gush out. It appears to be coming from the top of the fuel pump. This exact issue was addressed with a previous recall 13v‑617 which was performed on my motorcycle on 7/2014. However, the exact issue has surfaced 8/2019 again and the dealership refuses to fix the problem a second time. If I hadn't reached my destination when I did, I fear the motorcycle would have burst into flames! I have contacted bmw corporation and they will not get involved and the dealership still refuses to fix the issue that obviously wasn't repaired the first time properly! This occurred on a city street during normal usage. The "fix" is obviously not a "fix" and there are numerous reports on the internet forums complaining of the same thing. I am very lucky it did not catch on fire while I was riding.
While traveling down the freeway the forward drive shaft universal joint failed, locking the rear wheel. The spinning forward end of the unconstrained drive shaft damaged the swing arm.
Compare the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
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Questions about the 2008 BMW R1200 GS
Is the 2008 BMW R1200 GS reliable?
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2008 BMW R1200 GS, 3.2 times a typical R1200 GS model year.
What is the 2008 BMW R1200 GS year score?
The 2008 BMW R1200 GS scores 27 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW R1200 GS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW R1200 GS?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 24 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles. Next is transmission (5).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW R1200 GS have?
8 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, wheels and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW R1200 GS fuel system?
Yes, 3 recalls: 20V471000, 13V617000, 09V319000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW R1200 GS have the most fuel system problems?
The BMW R1200 GS model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2007 (24 complaints), 2008 (24 complaints) and 2005 (20 complaints).
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