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2009 BMW R1200 GS: wrong fuel gauge reading

9 of the 30 complaints about the 2009 BMW R1200 GS describe wrong fuel gauge reading.

owner complaints
9
of this car's complaints
30%
typical mileage
9,800
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

Wrong fuel gauge reading by model year

  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    9
  • 2008
    6
  • 2007
    2
  • 2005
    2

What owners say

Filed May 18, 2016 · Fuel system · 4,700 miles · MI

Fuel level sensor failure twice. Unable to determine level of fuel in take while driving and stopped. Increased risk of running out of gas in traffic.

Filed Jul 5, 2014 · Fuel system · 22,520 miles · IL

Fuel gauge suddenly failed and gave inaccurate reading. I have had the fuel gauge replaced 4 times, most recently less than one month ago, always by a bmw dealer. That most recent gauge, installed 6/7/2014 by the dealer, failed completely, without warning, on 7/3/14 after less than 250 miles. The fuel gauge failure can lead to sudden unexpected loss of power, if the gauge indicates fuel remaining, while in fact the tank is empty. I am astonished the government has not ordered bmw to find a reliable fix this. Anecdotal indications are thousands of gauges have failed, over approximately a five model year period the defective design was used.

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Fuel system · 20,434 miles · OH

Traveling approx 60 MPH during rush hour in middle lane of three lane divided highway. Fuel gauge showed two bars and display indicated approx 60 miles of range left. Engine suddenly lost power. I was able to get to right shoulder when engine died and would not restart. Was able to push approx 1/4 mile to exit ramp and then to fuel station. Fuel tank was empty. Fuel gauge never showed empty nor did low fuel light come on.

Filed Aug 5, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 9,800 miles · KS

The fuel gauge stopped working and there was a yellow warning light appeared on the display. Prior to the outright failure, the gauge had occasionally shown a false value, showing too much fuel for the miles covered, and then suddenly it would drop to the correct value, indicating almost zero fuel left. The gauge now shows no fuel level at all constantly. The motorcycle was just out of warranty when this occurred. When you purchase a nearly $20k motorcycle, you expect simple things like a fuel gauge sensor to work reliably. Bmw has failed tremendously in this respect.

Filed Mar 29, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 12,000 miles · OR

Fuel gauge frequently indicates plenty of fuel in tank when tank runs empty. Gauge will also occasionally show empty when several gallons of fuel in tanks. *tr ## VIN failed ##

Filed Aug 17, 2012 · Fuel system · 1,500 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw r 1200 gs motorcycle. The contact stated that the triangle warning light illuminated. The vehicle only had one warning light and the contact was concerned that if any other system on the motorcycle failed, he would not be aware of the particular failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the fuel level sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the sensor. The failure recurred and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, however no assistance was provided. The current mileage was 1,856. The failure mileage was 1,500.

Filed Jun 11, 2012 · Fuel system · 19,404 miles · TX

Bmw motorcycles fuel gauge with "electronic fuel strip" fail resulting in same condition as their car recall shown below! Dangerous condition results. (post 2010 models changed to float type system). Summary: bmw is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 5-series and 5-series gran turismo passenger vehicles manufactured from january 12 through july 1, 2010. The vehicle's fuel level sensor within the fuel tank can become wedged against the tank. Consequence: if this occurs, the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster would display a larger amount of fuel than was actually in the tank. As a result, if the tank became empty, the vehicle could stall increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed Apr 20, 2011 · Fuel system · 6,200 miles · CA

Fuel gauge on my 2009 bmw r1200gs motorcycle was showing I had approximately 1/3 of a tank of fuel when I ran out of gas. I was traveling on a freeway during rush hour traffic. I was only going about 15mph when this happened but was forced to get off the bike and push it to the fast lane shoulder. I was able to get the bike restarted by leaning it over as far as I could to the left which let some additional fuel go from the right to the left side of the tank. I feel this was a very dangerous situation. Apparently this is a well know issue by bmw of north america as it seems to be happening to many people who own bmw motorcycles. I have had my motorcycle in to the shop three times and it still is not fixed. I will go in for a fourth time to see if they can make it work properly again.

Filed Apr 20, 2011 · Fuel system · 100 miles · NY

Riding motorcycle with fuel gauge displaying 3/4 full tank and then suddenly the bike ran out of fuel while driving down the road. Took motorcycle into dealer and the fuel strip sensor was replaced under warranty, dealer kept old part. The fuel sensor has subsequently fail two more times causing a stalling of the engine while riding along a road. Dealer has replaced fuel sensor strip three times.

Related recalls

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

Questions about the 2009 BMW R1200 GS fuel gauge

Is wrong fuel gauge reading a common problem on the 2009 BMW R1200 GS?

9 of 30 owner complaints about the 2009 BMW R1200 GS (30%) mention wrong fuel gauge reading. The model year with the most reports is 2009.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 BMW R1200 GS?

There are 2 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2009 BMW R1200 GS

Fuel pump 5Loss of power 5

All model years of the BMW R1200 GS

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