It is not clear which brake component is failing. It seems to be either the master cylinder or the ABS control module, but nothing seems to be conclusive. The failure alters the power of and force required to apply the rear brakes, changing the riding characteristics of the motorcycle that could lead to serious injury or miscalculations in application of both front a rear brakes to minimize stopping distance. Apparently the component has been inspected by the manufacturer, however there has been no concrete solution that would guarantee a permanent solution. There are no warning lamps or visual indicators to prepare riders that the rear brakes may be compromised or dysfunctional. There have been multiple incidents of this failure from new.
The worst 2015 BMW R1200 GS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes4
- Suspension3
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes4
- Suspension3
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Equipment
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V481000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 BMW R1200GS and BMW R1200GS Adventure motorcycles. The motorcycle fixed fork tube may separate from the pressed in seal plug that secures the tube to the upper triple clamp.
- Risk
- If the fork tube detaches from the sealing plug, the handling and stability of the motorcycle will be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will add an additional fixed fork tube bush. A fork that is sufficiently damaged will be replaced with a modified new part. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V438000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2015 BMW R1200 GS 41
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
- Multiple factors may
- BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the...
- Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special...
- 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
- Service distance cannot be set in miles in ISTA for TFT-type instrument clusters
- During operation of the rear wheel foot brake lever, the rider feels a soft pressure point or perceptibly...
- BMW Motorrad has ascertained that vehicles fitted with option code 0190 "Enduro ASC + BMW Motorrad has...
What 2015 BMW R1200 GS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While riding the 1200GS yesterday, the rear brake calliper somehow came off! Has anyone encountered such a problem before. After the caliper came off, it got stuck in the wheel spokes and completely shattered the spokes and wheels. I was very lucky not sure how the wheels did not completely jam or freeze as this would have been deadly. I as was on a freeway with cars travelling over 70-MPH! Luckily enough motorists behind me and in other lanes observed what had happened and provided me space to pull over.
Rear brake pedal gets soft and braking performance is lost. Feels like air is getting into the system. Bleeding the brake fixes the problem, but it comes back after a few thousand miles. Seems this isn't an isolated icindent based on forum information: https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/bmw-r1200gs-lc-rear-brake-failures.1264712/ https://www.gs-forum.eu/threads/umfrage-wer-ist-von-luft-im-hinteren-bremskreis-betroffen.153022/
Rear brake requires more and more travel untill it hit the stop..no rear brake. Bleeding brake solves for a month or two, then cycle begins again. Bmw says bleed brakes every 2 years, I have to do it at least every oil change (6000 miles). Dealer is aware of problem, has no solution
Control buttons on left handlebar failing affecting cruise control, suspension settings, and ride mode which affects engine performance. Button failures occur just outside of warranty and when motorcycle is in operation and suspension and engine control systems are operational.
Bmw motorcycle recall campaign 17v‑438 - front fork. I received a recall notice from bmw in august 2017 and sent the motorcycle to the dealer to have the warranty/recall repair conducted. The motorcycle has been at morton's bmw in fredericksburg, va since 09 september and bmw has still not sent the dealer the repair parts. I sent bmw of north america a detailed email on 24 september and they have yet to respond and explain why they will not fix my motorcycle within a reasonable period of time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 bmw r1200 gs. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v438000 (suspension) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown bmw dealer of manhattan, new york was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Part distribution disconnect. The VIN was not available.
While traveling at approximately 25 MPH on a national forest road the front suspension collapsed causing me to lose control and crash and causing injury manufacture replaced everything under warranty no definition too why part failed
Cruise control safety features do not work as required. When operating the vehicle at highway speeds and the clutch is operated to downshift, the cruise control remains engaged. This causes the engine to race and, if rider then releases the clutch, it can propel motorcycle forward in a dangerous and uncontrolled manner. This has occurred twice, once at 70 MPH and a second time at 45 MPH. Both times I was initiating a downshift.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 bmw r1200 gs adventurer. The contact stated that the motorcycle stalled numerous times without warning. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer every three months. The technician was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not able to provide a remedy to prevent the failure from recurring. The motorcycle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 500. The VIN was not available.
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Questions about the 2015 BMW R1200 GS
Is the 2015 BMW R1200 GS reliable?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2015 BMW R1200 GS, close to a typical R1200 GS model year.
What is the 2015 BMW R1200 GS year score?
The 2015 BMW R1200 GS scores 71 out of 100 (average). 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 2015 BMW R1200 GS?
Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW R1200 GS have?
2 recalls, covering equipment and suspension.
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