2003 BMW K1200LT
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › BMW › K1200LT › 2003
These records cover every 2003 BMW K1200LT. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
21 complaints2 involved a crash2 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train
Clutch plate cracked. Had to replace all parts to the final drive
- Power train
Drive shaft had break, dangerous. caused the final drive gears to break, dangerous. On the road.
- Fuel/propulsion system
2003 BMW k1200ltc touring motorcycle, went up in massive flames and a subsequent explosion, while parked and engine running / idling for approximately 3 minutes. Fire dept. Arrived 10 minutes later, and battelled the flamed for 7 more minutes to extinguish it. Luckily no personal injury, but some…
2003 BMW k1200ltc touring motorcycle, went up in massive flames and a subsequent explosion, while parked and engine running / idling for approximately 3 minutes. Fire dept. Arrived 10 minutes later, and battelled the flamed for 7 more minutes to extinguish it. Luckily no personal injury, but some property damage as a result. Initial white smoke, and flames observed at the fuel-rail above the engine front, left hand side.
- Power train · Service brakes · Suspension
Brake lines leaking and replaced. $1002. In repairs. final drive leaking and all gear damaged.
- Electrical system · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
2003 BMW k1200lt burned to ashes on 12-08-2020. caught fire while parked after running for a few minutes. smoke from front. Flames in the lower front left of engine. recent services- feb 2020, included replacing quick connect fuel lines with new metal upgrades, after fuel leak detected. 42K miles. Huge fire. Extreme danger warning.
- Fuel/propulsion system
While riding, fuel began pouring out over my right foot. It turned out that the fuel line quick disconnects (used for removing the fuel tank) deteriorated because they are plastic (the plastic part has been discontinued--the replacement part IS now metal). My dealer replaced the disconnects with the new, metal part. *tr
- Power train
The final drive differential failed, locked up the rear tire, cause catastrophic loss of control, ejection from the motorcycle at highway speed, and total loss of the machine. The rider suffered moderate injuries, mostly abrasions and bruises, and broken bones. The tire pressures and final drive…
The final drive differential failed, locked up the rear tire, cause catastrophic loss of control, ejection from the motorcycle at highway speed, and total loss of the machine. The rider suffered moderate injuries, mostly abrasions and bruises, and broken bones. The tire pressures and final drive fluid level had been checked that day, and were correct. a $10,000 machine was totaled because of a cheap part that IS a known defect, has occurred over and over, and BMW has not been ordered to fix this safety issue! *tr
- Power train
Felt a strange vibration. Exited the road at the next exit about a mile down the road. Upon slowing below 20 mph, the vibration increased. Braking was diminished and used down shifting. Pulled over into a parking lot and inspected the motorcycle. Found oil running from the final drive down the…
Felt a strange vibration. Exited the road at the next exit about a mile down the road. Upon slowing below 20 mph, the vibration increased. Braking was diminished and used down shifting. Pulled over into a parking lot and inspected the motorcycle. Found oil running from the final drive down the brake rotor and rim/tire. Called for a tow truck to take it to the local BMW dealer. Dealer said the final drive bearings had failed and the entire final drive needed to be replaced. Since there was a known issue with the pre-2004 final drives, the dealer replaced with a final drive from a 2006. *tr
- Power train
TL* the contact owns 2003 BMW k1200 LT motorcycle. the contact was driving 70 mph when the rear wheel bearings caused the vehicle seize. the contact noticed oil leaking from the final drive unit onto the rear wheel. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the bearings, o-rings, and rear wheel…
TL* the contact owns 2003 BMW k1200 LT motorcycle. the contact was driving 70 mph when the rear wheel bearings caused the vehicle seize. the contact noticed oil leaking from the final drive unit onto the rear wheel. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the bearings, o-rings, and rear wheel shaft was replaced. the contact had not experienced any further issues with the vehicle since the repair. The failure mileage was 30,876.
- Power train
BMW k1200lt 2003 motorcyle I purchased used with 8700 miles on the bike. At 18646 having all the maintenance done by the dealer, I experienced a rumbling sound traveling on an interstate at 65 mph. I pulled over thinking it might be a bad tire and noticed oil dripping on the rear tire/rim. Oil on…
BMW k1200lt 2003 motorcyle I purchased used with 8700 miles on the bike. At 18646 having all the maintenance done by the dealer, I experienced a rumbling sound traveling on an interstate at 65 mph. I pulled over thinking it might be a bad tire and noticed oil dripping on the rear tire/rim. Oil on the rear brakes did hamper my slowing down. BMW repaired the final drive saying the outside bearing failed causing the oil seal to fail. At 25,423 miles the final drive failed again. This IS a high priced bike and I was surprised at this mechanical failure which I believe now that it wasn't assembled correctly and during the repair no change on the new bearing was done so it failed a second time. I finally purchased a used final drive to continue riding. I now have 129,025 on the bike and the used final drive IS still performing ok so the issue was with the original drive on this bike. A new final drive wasn't in my budget. I wonder what would have happened had I been in a hard curve when this failure occurred. Not good, I'D say. BMW can/should do better during assembly. *kb
- Power train
I had the same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and currently being investigated under campaign dp12001. While doing 70 mph on the kentucky parkway I felt a severe vibration and slight wobble in the rear wheel of the motorcycle. I slowed to the shoulder and stopped. After checking the rear…
I had the same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and currently being investigated under campaign dp12001. While doing 70 mph on the kentucky parkway I felt a severe vibration and slight wobble in the rear wheel of the motorcycle. I slowed to the shoulder and stopped. After checking the rear tire I found a lot of gear oil on the tire, rim, and rear drive. I was extremely lucky that I did not lose traction and crash. *kb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 BMW k1200lt. The contact stated that the motorcycle has quick release fuel lines that are made out of plastic and they break easily. If the motorcycle was being driven and they break, gas would leak onto the driver and it could cause a fire. The dealer stated that this…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 BMW k1200lt. The contact stated that the motorcycle has quick release fuel lines that are made out of plastic and they break easily. If the motorcycle was being driven and they break, gas would leak onto the driver and it could cause a fire. The dealer stated that this happens from time to time and they would replace them. The dealer stated that there were two lines, one male and one female and that it needs to be made known when the motorcycle IS purchased that the lines should be replaced. The motorcycle was repaired. The failure mileage was 21740 and the current mileage was 21740. updated 2/22/11 *cn updated 11/28/2011 *ln
- Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel smell from right side of vehicle when running. fuel spray on my right boot. removed side fairing, started engine and noticed fuel spraying from plastic fuel line connector. replaced plastic connector with brass.*tr
- Power train › Driveline
Final drive failure on 2003 BMW k1200lt motorcycle. loss of hypoid fluid caused loss of control on motorcycle. was able to stay upright. *tr
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
2003 BMW k1200lt motorcycle final drive bearing failure. *jb
- Power train › Manual transmission · Suspension › Rear
BMW 0703 k1200ltc motorcycle rear end failed at less than 19,000 miles creating a hazard to my safety. however by hearing the gear noise in time I was able to stop the bike before the rear seal allowed oil out of the rear end. So it had to be a bearing failure in my opinion. At this time no repairs have been made yet. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
I am the owner of a 2003 BMW k1200lte motorcycle that just experienced a massive fuel leak under pressure due to a cracked plastic quick disconnect fitting on a fuel line that was under pressure. This caused spraying fuel to soak my right shoe and run down over the hot engine. There was a bulletin…
I am the owner of a 2003 BMW k1200lte motorcycle that just experienced a massive fuel leak under pressure due to a cracked plastic quick disconnect fitting on a fuel line that was under pressure. This caused spraying fuel to soak my right shoe and run down over the hot engine. There was a bulletin from BMW to have the quick disconnects, o-rings, and clamps checked. I had this done by the dealership just a few months ago. The bulletin however doesn't provide for replacing the defective parts with an upgraded part. There have now been many instances of this happening on this model bike. You can go to the www.bmwlt.com website forum and search for fuel leak to get an idea of some of the instances. One bike burned to the ground, but BMW states that it was struck by lightning....i wonder about that. The rider was killed. I feel it my duty to report this and hope that a recall and redesign of the part can prevent anyone from dying. a side note to this IS the possibility of the vast amount of fuel getting on the rear tire and causing a crash due to slippage. ron kellenbenz 18123 cr 1275 tyler, tx 75703 903 839-5132 kellenbenz@cox.net. *jb
- Power train › Manual transmission
Rear drive bearing failed. *nm
- Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assembly
Failed shifter on motorcycle. *nm
- Unknown or other
The shift linkage broke on my 2003 BMW k1200lt motorcycle. please note that model IS k1200lt - your drop down menu below does not include this choice!! *ph
- Unknown or other
Note- actual model not available in your database. model IS: 2003 BMW k1200lt custom motorcycle shift linkage failed causing inability to shift gears. linkage broke where short threaded rod connect ball joint to shifter arm. motorcycle stranded and required tow. this IS a known common defect in this model and this failure occurs often.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- M/C final drive ball bearing failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked NHTSA to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection…
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked NHTSA to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection ofcomponent wear and proper assembly of the [final drive] bearing.ODI has reviewed the petition, assessed relevant consumer complaints, and gathered other data in the course of investigating this issue.Based on its review, ODI does not believe that a safety-related defect trend currently exists for final drive bearing failures in the subject motorcycles.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.However, the agency will continue to monitor information related to this issue and will take further action if warranted.For detailed information, see the Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-13779.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10205114With the introduction of the new watertight fuse box a change was made from large type fuses to mini fuses. While the correct fuses are installed in the fuse box, the older, large type fuses were supplied in the on-board tool kit.
- 10147912Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
- 10030825BMW motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. BMW motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine fuels containing up to a maximum of 10% ethanol and imposes no warranty restrictions. Ethanol mixtures in proportions higher than 10% can have an adverse effect on performance and can result in damage to components that come into contract with fuel. No warranty claims whatsoever for damage caused in this way will be accepted. No model years listed.
- 10029706BMW motorcycle: wheel speed dependent, clearly audible clanking noise occurs when braking to adjust speed. E series (K25; k25/02; k25/03; k25/11; k25/12; k25/hp; K26; K27; K28; K29; k29/hp; K40; K41; K43; k43/hv; K44; k589/03; K71). No model years listed.
- 10010441Engine resisting throttle input when the engine IS started from cold.
Every BMW K1200LT model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.