BMW R1200 GS fuel gauge problems

Filed Jun 22, 2023 · Fuel system · TN

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.

Filed May 24, 2023 · Fuel system · ID

Found fuel vapor to be strongly smelled while at a stop light. Upon arrival at home when turning the motorcycle around there were drips coming from the right side of the motorcycle (more specifically the fuel tank). After removing the faring, there was a collection of fuel sitting on top of the fuel tank outlet. Upon closer inspection, the quick disconnect which threads into the fuel tank cap to pull fuel out of the tank has a hairline crack. it continually purges fuel at a trickling pace when the fuel level is above the tank port, there is a steady flow when the bike is in operation. The location of the fuel drip falls directly on the exhaust pipe header on the front right side of the motorcycle which could lead to a fire causing property damage and or bodily harm. The motorcycle has not been inspected by the local dealer as they are backlogged with a summertime influx of customers.

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 Sep 2, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 12,000 miles · MT

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.

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 226,000 miles · WA · 1 injury

I was travelling safely in the middle lane at speed limit in heavy interstate traffic. I changed lanes into the fast lane under slight acceleration and the engine lost power completely. I could not restart the bike and so tried to get into the slow lane as there was no room on the inside shoulder. In trying to move saftely to the shoulder I was nearly struck by three different vehicles, one semi trailer and two passenger cars that were travelling at nearly twice my rate of speed due to my loss of power. After pulling to the side, I strained myself trying to come to a safe stop prior to the entrance to a highway exit lane, worried that I may be struck. I called the dealer for the vehicle and with minimal troubleshooting it was determined that the fuel strip (gauge) for the fuel level had failed and was falsely displaying a 185 mile range. In fact the tank was empty. This gauge had already been replaced for being faulty by the dealer and they saw this in their records which immediately LED them to the failure. This is a known failure amoung many bmw enthusiasts on several bmw motorcyle models. Bmw claims there ar enot emough complaints to warrant a recall. I would be happy to supply a large number of complaints in hard copy to counter their misconception and or lack of accountability. This is similar to recalls on vehicles with defective camshaft sensors causing engine power fail and should be valued as the same on a two wheeled vehicle with far less protection in such instances. Upon inquiry bmw mottorad has made no effort in responding to any progress they have made in rectifying the issue other than quietly acknowleding it by going back to mechanical fuel gauges with nearly nil failure rates. Do we have to wait until someone dies or will the federal safety agency take action ? I hope it is not one of your family members!

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 Jun 21, 2014 · Fuel system · 26,844 miles · TN

Fuel gauge failure. (possibility of running out of fuel in traffic).

Filed May 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 7,757 miles · IL

Running out of gas due to faulty fuel strip sensor which prevents determining fuel level in gas tank. Danger is being rear ended by on coming vehicles. This is the 7th bmw fuel sensor strip that has failed for my wife and I in the years from 2005 to 2014. There have been 2 on two 2005 k1200ses, 1 on a 2006 k1200s, 3 on two 2008 k1200ses, and 1 on a 2008 r1200gs fuel level strips that have failed.

Filed May 10, 2014 · Fuel system · 3,000 miles · MI · crash

Engine stopped at highway speed. Fuel gauge not working. Dropped bike.

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.