Model year

2020 BMW R 1250 RT

Motorcycle, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Feb 13, 2020 to Jun 5, 2024.

Recall campaigns covering this model year528k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints63.0 times the median 2020 motorcycle
Severity index0.02020 motorcycles average 7.1
First 24 months5Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT peaked in 2020, with 5 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

024620205202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

83% of complaints about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT name brakes

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Brakes
5
Powertrain
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

5 recall campaigns cover the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
23V-011Jan 18, 2023In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheelPowertrain18,534Software update
20V-476Aug 13, 2020Front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parkedBrakes9,392Part replacement
20V-166Mar 19, 2020Brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an…Brakes365Part replacement
20V-165Mar 19, 2020Pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosenPowertrain4Part replacement
20E-013Mar 19, 2020Brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an…Brakes49Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT

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.

6 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jun 5, 2024Failure Mar 28, 2024Anderson SC, SCPower train

    BMW Motorrad had a safety check on the driveshafts/ u joints for R1200 and R 1250 GS and RT motos. I had mine checked at D2 Powersports in Q3 or Q4, 2023 and it passed. No paperwork was given. On 3/28/24 the driveshaft / U joint failed on NC 178 south of Rosman, NC. Had this locked up in a corner it could have cause a wreck. The R1250RT was towed to D2 Powersports 10 hours later. D2 submitted a request for warranty repair or some financial help to BMW Motorrad. Request denied. I paid the entire $2677.96. BMW has SIB 33 04 23 out for K5X driveshaft maintenance schedule change published 12/12/23 and includes K52 R1250RT. My question, which BMW will not answer: Why was my 2020 R1250 RT (K52) denied? This is a very dangerous situation.

    NHTSA complaint 11592588
  2. Filed Nov 5, 2020Failure Oct 21, 20206,600 milesPeoria, AZService brakes

    AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE LEAKING HAYES CALIPERS ON MY 2020 BMW R1250RT MOTORCYCLE THERE WAS A RECALL AND I DID RECEIVE A SECOND SET OF HAYES CALIPERS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. IN A MATTER OF DAYS THE REPLACEMENT RECALLED HAYES CALIPERS WERE ALSO LEAKING BMW SENT OUT TWO ENGINEERS TO REMOVE AND INSPECT MY SECOND SET THAT WERE THEN SENT BACK TO GERMANY AND A THIRD SET OF HAYES CALIPERS WERE INSTALLED ON MY BIKE. AFTER A FEW DAYS AGAIN THEY WERE LEAKING ALSO, NOW I'LL NEED MY FOURTH SET OF CALIPERS ON MY BIKE THAT I'VE OWNED FOR 7 MONTHS AND TWO OF THOSE MONTHS IT HAS BEEN PARKED BECAUSE OF THIS ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS NOW. SEE MY LAST THREE VIDEOS FROM THE THIRD SET OF LEAKING HAYES CALIPERS. #1 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LQVFHTKUCNW #2 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=IGQORON2CAE #3 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=6O4_PQQ5G_Y BMW HAS BEEN REMOVING DEFECTIVE BRAKE PARTS AND REPLACING THEM WITH NEW DEFECTIVE BRAKE PARTS. STEVE

    NHTSA complaint 11373224
  3. Filed Sep 21, 2020Failure Sep 21, 20206,300 milesPeoria, AZService brakes

    TWO VIDEOS OF MY LEAKING BRAKES AFTER GETTING THEM REPLACED FROM THE RECALL. STILL A PROBLEM AS THEIR FIX IS LEAKING LIKE THE ORIGINAL. TWO VIDEOS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=2H3HTJT6NM4 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=INYT6SPUYYA

    NHTSA complaint 11360272
  4. Filed Sep 21, 2020Failure Sep 21, 20206,300 milesPeoria, AZService brakes

    SINCE DAY ONE THIS BIKE HAS HAD LEAKING FRONT BRAKES. TODAY, I GO OUT IN MY GARAGE AND SEE MY BRAKES ARE LEAKING AGAIN FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME. THIS IS BEYOND A DEALERSHIP FIX. BOTH DEALERS I'VE TAKEN THE BIKE TO (IRON HORSE BMW IN TUCSON, GOAZ IN PEORIA) HAVE BEEN GREAT IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I HAVE SPENT WAY TOO MANY HOURS SCHEDULING MY TIME AND THEN HANGING OUT AT THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. THIS IS FROM THE ARIZONA LEMON LAW: "THE SAME NONCONFORMITY HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO REPAIR FOUR OR MORE TIMES BY THE MANUFACTURER, ITS AGENTS OR AUTHORIZED DEALERS BUT THE NONCONFORMITY CONTINUES TO EXIST". I'M NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED SINCE --- #1 PRIOR TO PURCHASE WAS TOLD THE 2020'S DIDN'T LEAK = LEAKING AFTER FIRST RIDE HOME. #2 I'VE HAD THE REBUILD KIT INSTALLED (600 MILES) = STILL LEAKING. #3 REPLACED THE CALIPERS (6000 MILES) = STILL LEAKING. #4 TOLD THE FLUID LEAKING WAS JUST "RESIDUAL" UNDER THE BLEEDER CAPS (6250 MILES) = STILL LEAKING (EVEN AFTER RETURNING HOME, DAYS LATER, STILL LEAKING). SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS BELOW. I'VE PAID A PREMIUM PRICE TO PURCHASE A BMW MOTORCYCLE, WHICH HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I'VE OWNED JAPANESE BIKES FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY CONTINUING ISSUES. BEYOND FRUSTRATED. I WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM FIXED OR A NEW REPLACEMENT MOTORCYCLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THIS BIKE IS A LEMON. SEE ATTACHED VIDEO. THANK YOU, HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=2H3HTJT6NM4

    NHTSA complaint 11360150
  5. Filed Mar 31, 2020Failure Mar 28, 2020165 milesPeoria, AZService brakes

    TOOK DELIVERY OF A NEW MOTORCYCLE ON SATURDAY. UPON RETURNING HOME WITH THE NEW BIKE, 160 MILE TRIP HOME, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. FLUID WAS SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE RIM AND TIRE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2019'S OF THE BMW R1250RT. I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED FOR THE 2020 BIKES, BUT CLEARLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE GIVEN MY EXPERIENCE RELAYED IN THIS REPORT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN FINE WITH TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, BUT AS OF YET, WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL BE RESOLVED AND/OR IF THERE WILL BE ANY SORT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE TROUBLE OF RIDING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP (330 MILES ROUND TRIP). THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ONGOING PROBLEM THAT BMW KNOWS ABOUT AND THEY JUST REPLACE BAD BRAKES WITH THE SAME BAD PARTS.

    NHTSA complaint 11319832
  6. Filed Feb 13, 2020Failure Feb 8, 20207 milesMesa, AZService brakes

    I WENT TO TEST DRIVE A NEW 2020 BMW R1250 RT MOTORCYCLE AND THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED IT BEFORE THE TEST DRIVE. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, THE BRAKES STARTED LEAKING AND I NOTICED A PERFORMANCE DROP IN THE ABILITY TO BRAKE. UPON DIGGING INTO THE SITUATION THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM BMW. THAT STATED THE BRAKES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES AND THEY SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR LEAKS BEFORE BEING SOLD TO A CUSTOMER OR TEST-DRIVEN. BMW HAS RELEASED A NEW PART NUMBER THAT WILL FIX THE CRITICAL DESIGN FLAW THAT IS IN THE BRAKES. THIS PART HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET. BMW NEEDS TO PUT A STOP-SALE ON ALL BIKES BECAUSE JUST BECAUSE THE BIKE DOES NOT HAVE THE ISSUE INITIALLY DOES NOT MEAN IT WON'T HAVE THE ISSUE SOON AFTER INSPECTION. RIDE NOW A LARGE MOTORCYCLE RETAILER NATIONALLY HAS STOPPED SELLING ALL BMW BIKES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT BMW IS REQUIRING. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED AND BMW NEEDS TO STOP SELLING THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL THE NEW BRAKES ARE REPLACED ON ALL MODELS. SIMPLY LOOKING AT THE BIKE INITIALLY AND SEEING THAT IT IS NOT LEAKING DOES NOT MEAN IT WON'T LEAK IN A FEW DAYS AND AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BREAKING.

    NHTSA complaint 11308930
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

13 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âdisc…
  • MC160323 Aug 14, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster.
  • SIB330222 Apr 24, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
  • SIB460123 Mar 8, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Frame and mounting parts
  • MC000222 Nov 8, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.
  • SIB330222 Jul 28, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts of the driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
  • SIB610321 May 13, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BATTERY EMPTY DESPITE CHARGER.
  • MC610321 Mar 18, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The motorcycle will not start. The vehicle battery is empty even though the battery charger was permanently connected to the 12V power socket.
  • MC620421 Sep 22, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    In an effort to continuously improve Motorrad connectivity capabilities, an important software update for the new 10.25? TFT display is scheduled.
  • MC650421 Sep 24, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    R 1250 RT Motorcycles built on or after March 1, 2021 and equipped with option: ?269A - Preparation Audio System? can be retrofitted with the audio module.
  • MC610821 Jul 13, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
  • MC610121 May 5, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Special vehicles, Police, for example, should be configured/encoded with ISTA.
  • MC000621 Jun 23, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW Motorrad USA is pleased to announce the launch of the BMW Motorrad Ultimate Care Program, effective June 23 , 2021. Three different plans will be offered for consumer bikes, as well as two Authority-specific plans. Model-year 2020 and newer BMW Motorcyc…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.