Abs pump motor is failing on many of the same model bikes and some other 2006-2008 model bmw bikes with low mileage, because the brush holders in the ABS electrical motor are too tight and brushes get stuck in them - bad design of the ABS pump motor. Bmw will ask you loads of monies for the replacement of the pump, even tho they are fully aware it's a problem with many of the bikes.
BMW R1200 RT abs comes on
22 of the 267 owner complaints about the BMW R1200 RT describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 22
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,200
- typical mileage
- 22,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
The brake failure light came on, bmw shop said ABS unit is bad $2000 fix. On many bmw motorcycle forums there are many ABS unit failures. Bmw knows about these failures but does nothing.
Premature failure of the ABS pump at 29k miles. Vehicle was stationary. Brakes still function but without ABS.
Brake failure light came on while riding. Investigation by mechanic shows ABS has failed. Bike only has 26,000 miles. This is unacceptable and should be a recall based on information and reports on the various lists and boards I participate on. Fault codes 24048 (ABS pump motor defective) and 24049 (power supply to pump motor faulty). This is a design defect and based on it being an integral braking system failure should be recalled and repaired by manufacturer.
The ABS module failed while it was being driven on a highway. The dealer and bmw asked if it was parked outside and it was for a short time only. They said the module corroded. It is a sealed module and if it corroded it must have been defective in order to all the elements necessary in for it to corrode. Fortunately I am a very experienced rider and quickly released the brake as it locked up (what the ABS system is to prevent. I have never heard of an ABS module failing like this. I discussed this with the dealer and bmw and both declined to help.
When I began a ride the red ABS brake failure warning light came on and remained on. A shop read the code to determine the cause as ABS pump motor failure. I learned through on-line research that it is a common problem relating to poor design of the ABS pump motor brushes that fail to make good contact resulting in a low voltage situation and pump failure. The result - the ABS system does not work. The estimated cost of replacing the unit is approx. $2200. The mechanic tapped on the motor housing and freed up the brushes but it was a temporary fix that lasted about 200 miles. It then became an intermittent problem for about 400 miles before it went back to being the constant problem that I am now forced to fix or ride without ABS brakes. This is a well known and documented problem but bmw has not admitted any problems related to design of the unit. The problem appears to be in the way the brushes slide in a grooved guide or key way . Apparently the grooves get dirty and the brushes hang up and don't reach the proper position for good contact with the motor armature if I understand it correctly. Modulemaster in moscow, idaho, rebuilds the units and provides a 5 yr guarantee. They seem to be quite busy with these units. My mechanic actually sent in 2 of them at the same time. The second unit was from a gs model. And there are other models experiencing the same issue. It is my opinion that the federal safety agency needs to take a look at this issue and cause bmw to fix the poor design and eliminate the problem of ABS failure. Documented evidence of the scope of the problem can be found through sites such as forums.bmwmoa.org, www.xs-adventure.com, www.I-bmw.com.
Abs servo failed. Complete loss of the anti-lock brake feature on motorcycle. I am reporting this because I feel this is an important safety feature failure that occurred with very few miles on the machine. I have already replaced the entire electric fuel pump (recalled) and rear wheel hub (recalled). I am afraid of the safety of this vehicle and doubt the advertised "reliability" touted by the manufacturer, bmw motrorad.
Rear drive assembly oil leaking affecting tires traction and braking - loss of rear brakes from oil and no ABS active.
About 1 year ago, the 'brake failure" light came on the dashboard of my bmw r1200rt motorcycle. Even though the brakes seem to work fine, I pretty much stopped using the motorcycle because I was afraid of it. Because of inactivity, the engine wouldn't start so I rented a u-haul trailer and brought the bike to a bmw dealer so they could get it running again. Because I hadn't used the bike for awhile, I forgot to tell them about the brake failure light. When they test rode my bike, they saw the light and tried to reset (clear) a code to see if it would fix it. The code would not reset or clear. They then told me that this brake failure light indicates that the ABS system is no longer working. I was told the part to fix it cost about $2,500. I feel this should be something that bmw should repair as it is a safety issue out of my control. Is bmw responsible to repair this problem?
Traveling at highway speed, ABS system failed, which showed up as a "brake failure" light on console. Abs pump controller failed. After initial failure, the "brake failure" light would come on intermittently. I don't know if this indicated intermittent failure or something else. Front wheel or rear wheel would lock up instead of the ABS system overriding and controlling the brake. On a bike this is particularly dangerous.
Related recalls
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
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling 1,535 my 2007-2009 r1200rt motorcycles. Due to routing and assembly tolerances of the front brake lines, it is possible for the lines to be under strain. In combination with vibration during riding, the brake lines could develop a leak. The level of fluid in the front brake fluid reservoir could drop rendering the front brakes inoperative.
- Risk
- In the event that only the rear brakes were operational, severe loss of control during hard braking could result. This could result in a serious crash.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners and repair the motorcycles with new front brake lines, with modified routing free of charge. The safety recall began on october 5, 2009. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 09V256000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- On certain motorcycles, under rapid, repeated, and unusually harsh braking, loss of ABS capability could temporarily occur.
- Risk
- Temporary loss of ABS braking could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a physical restriction, in the form of a banjo bolt with a flow restrictor to the brake line, and on certain models dealers will install new front brake discs of a slightly larger thickness free of charge. The recall began on june 5, 2006, and will be a phased mailing through october 2006. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 06V164000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- On certain motorcycles, if certain procedures are performed that involves removal of the front left brake caliper, the ABS sensor cable can be routed incorrectly and when the caliper is reinstalled, the sensor cable can come into contact and rub against the front brake disc. Overtime, if the chafing becomes severe, it is possible to lose the ABS function.
- Risk
- Loss of ABS function could increase the risk of a crash during certain riding conditions.
- Remedy
- Dealers will attach additional retaining clips free of charge to the ABS sensor cable, which will provide a more secure connection to the wheel carrier. The recall began on june 5, 2006, and will be a phased mailing through october 2006. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 06V134000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW R1200 RT abs
Why does the abs come on in the BMW R1200 RT?
Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, won't start and fuel pump failure.
Which BMW R1200 RT years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (8 complaints), 2008 (7 complaints) and 2006 (4 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the BMW R1200 RT?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,200 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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