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.
2008 BMW R1200 GS fuel system problems
24 complaints (75% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 30,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 75%
- typical mileage
- 30,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Storage: fuel gauge system1
- Storage: evaporative emissions: hoses/valves/sensors1
- Delivery: fuel pump1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW R1200 GS fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW R1200 GS fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
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
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
Related 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
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 travelling at the speed limit on the left lane in busy traffic, the motorcycle quit as if I had shut off the key. I had to maneuver through 4 lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder. I believe that the fuel level indicator shut the bike off even though there was fuel in the tank. Once stopped, the bike started again and ran normally. I believe that the fuel level indicator can interrupt engine operation when it gets to a point of zero range, even though the bike has adequate fuel in the tank. I have asked bmw to verify this and they will not. Owners should be advised that this can happen as I narrowly avoided a serious accident. If it cannot happen, then I need to look what did happen. Bmw recommends that I talk to the dealer, but he has already told me that he cannot answer the question. They have also offered to send a rep to look at the bike, but as customers, we need to know if this can happen and be warned about it so we know what to do. The dealer did replace the fuel strip and since then the fuel strip has been replaced two more times, and is now inoperable. Bmw needs to answer my question because if the fuel strip can interrupt engine operation bmw owners need to know. Without knowing this, it is a serious safety issue which easily could have resulted in a fatality which probably would have been attributed to operator error.
Questions about the 2008 BMW R1200 GS fuel system
Does the 2008 BMW R1200 GS have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 BMW R1200 GS, 75% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW R1200 GS fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 30,000 miles.
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).
Other 2008 BMW R1200 GS problems
Transmission 5Electrical 3Engine 2Acceleration 1Brakes 1Steering 1Suspension 1
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