Motorcycle, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from May 23, 2018 to May 24, 2025.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
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The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
4 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
It is not clear which rear 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 the rear brake 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 fix. 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. After 7 years and over 800 posts (in this thread alone), owners and BMW dealers have not been able correct the defects with 100% certainty. [XXX] This impacts owners of this motorcycle with a Production Date Range of Sept 1, 2012 through to Aug 31, 2020. BMW knows of the problem and released a Technical Service Bulletin SIB 34 01 21 to Dealers [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11662904I bought a 2017 BMW R 1200 GS used from a dealer with 554 miles on it. Basically new. I put 1100 miles on the bike before I had a work related accident. The Bike has 1687 miles on it now. Bike has been sitting for 3+ years in a garage. The rear brake goes all the way to the bump stop with no resistance. With the bike on the center stand and the rear brake lever all the way down to the bump stop, the rear wheel spins freely. I rode this bike 2 days before my accident in July of 2020 and the rear brake worked fine. I have not rode the bike in 3+ years and the rear brake went flat. This is unacceptable. I think BMW knows there is a problem. I want you to know there is a problem so maybe the problem get fixed. I've read post on BMW forums, explaining the rear master cylinder sucks in air. Air in brake lines is no good. That means the rear brake master cylinder could suck in air and render the rear brake useless. I think Brakes are an especially important part of vehicle safety.
NHTSA complaint 11550245The contact owns a 2017 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 65 MPH, while attempting to stop the motorcycle, the brakes failed to operate properly causing a delay in stopping the motorcycle. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that they aware of the failure. The mechanic bled the brake lines and the motorcycle remained at the dealer overnight; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 3,400.
NHTSA complaint 11491067I HAD LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON MY BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE AND NOTICED THAT I HAD NO REAR BAKE AT ALL WHEN I WAS RIDING OFF ROAD WITH MY "ENDURO PRO" MODE ENGAGED. THIS ALLOWS ME TO USE THE REAR BRAKE IN AN OFF ROAD MODE AND SHUTS DOWN ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL.. I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE. SEE ADVRIDER.COM AND SEARCH REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON BMW R1200GS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY BLED THE BRAKES. THEY NOW WORK FINE. IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY OTHERS THAT THE BREMBO REAR MASTER CYLINDER IS TO BLAME. IT ALLEGEDLY ALLOWS AIR INTO THE SYSTEM.SOME DEALERS HAVE REPLACED THIS AND IT HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE SHOES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE AND WERE NOT REPLACED. I AM ASKING THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS AS FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY ESPECIALLY OFF ROAD AND GOING DOWNHILL. THIS IS WHERE THE REAR BRAKE IS VERY IMPORTANT. VERY RESPECTFULLY,
NHTSA complaint 11097641Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.