1998 BMW R1200C
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › BMW › R1200C › 1998
These records cover every 1998 BMW R1200C. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1998 BMW R1200C. Newest first.
Vehicle description: motorcycles equipped with chrome-plated frames. copper residue can remain in the tapped hole where the upper fork bridge attaches to the frame. moisture can cause corrosion to occur between the copper residue and the aluminum frame. the stress of the connecting bolt attaching the upper fork to the frame could then decrease, leading…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this happened, the dynamic stability of the motorcycle would be affected and a loss of control could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will ream the hole in the frame head and install a helicoil thread insert and a new bolt. owner notification began december 13, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117, option #4.
Vehicle description: motorcycles. the adjusting screw for the pressure point of either the brake or clutch levers may not be sufficiently tight, due to grease contamination of the threads.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The screw(s) can back out over time while the vehicle IS being operated causing a change in the pressure point of the master cylinder for the clutch and/or front brake increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will check the adjustment screws of the front brake and clutch levers for movement. if the screws are tight, no further action will be taken. if a screw IS found to be loose, it will be removed, cleaned and reinstalled with new loctite.
Owner complaints
14 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting › Tail lights
TL* the contact owns a 1998 BMW r1200c motorcycle. The contact was traveling 35 mph when the tail lights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the tail light assembly was cracked and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 27,600. updated 07/06/12 *bf updated 07/16/12. *Jb
- Power train
The final drive started leaking gear oil all over my rear disc brake and rear tire and rim. It IS unsafe to ride like this. *tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 BMW r1200c. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 mph and trying to decelerate, he noticed that the brakes were failing. He placed the gear into neutral and coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they advised him that…
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 BMW r1200c. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 mph and trying to decelerate, he noticed that the brakes were failing. He placed the gear into neutral and coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and they advised him that the clutch master cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 25,000. updated 03/29/11 *bf updated 08/15/11
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The hose connecting the fuel unit to the left side of the engine collapsed, causing immediate lost of power. the incident occurred at coos bay, oregon while I was on a multi-day trip. I had to rent a u-haul truck to transport the bike to the portland BMW dealership. the mechanic at the…
The hose connecting the fuel unit to the left side of the engine collapsed, causing immediate lost of power. the incident occurred at coos bay, oregon while I was on a multi-day trip. I had to rent a u-haul truck to transport the bike to the portland BMW dealership. the mechanic at the dealership told me that two other r1200c motorcycles were repaired for the same problem during the prior week. this may be the same problem reported by another complaint odi ID# 537575.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Fuel leaked from fuel distribution spider directly onto the catalytic converter and onto the rear tire. discussed the problem with the dealer who said the motorcycle IS out of warranty and charged me for the parts necessary to fix it. updated 04/19/06. *nm updated 04/28/06. *nm
- Exterior lighting › Tail lights
I 0WN a 1998 BMW r1200c cruiser motorcycle, I bought it new. My tail light assembly wich includes brake light and blinkers creates a crack on the left side causing the assembly to eventually crack in two parts loosing the left blinker assembly. I have replaced this faulty part once before 2 years…
I 0WN a 1998 BMW r1200c cruiser motorcycle, I bought it new. My tail light assembly wich includes brake light and blinkers creates a crack on the left side causing the assembly to eventually crack in two parts loosing the left blinker assembly. I have replaced this faulty part once before 2 years and approximently 3000 miles ago. My motorcycle was out of warenty so it cost me $180.00 for a new part plus installation. The new part IS cracked again. *Ak
- Exterior lighting
Tail light assy keeps cracking on the upper left bolt, I am on my 4TH tail light and it IS also broken. on the same assy the turn light stalks can brake off and just hang by the wires, this has happen twice to me. on the front turn signal the left turn light broke off and was hanging by the wires, this has happen twice to me and IS still broken at this time, temp fix with a hose clamp. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Exhaust burned my leg, my passengers leg and the leg of others who have been passengers on my motorcycle. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Exterior lighting › Tail lights
My BMW 1998 r1200 c, had oil leaking from the engine seals since at least 300 miles. The bike was bought new in 1998. I complained of a blue smoke coming out of the tail pipe, but the owner of the store told me it was normal for bmw's. the taillight broke on the bike and were replaced by BMW…
My BMW 1998 r1200 c, had oil leaking from the engine seals since at least 300 miles. The bike was bought new in 1998. I complained of a blue smoke coming out of the tail pipe, but the owner of the store told me it was normal for bmw's. the taillight broke on the bike and were replaced by BMW, but I was told by the owner that I could not claim any other problems on the motorcycle. BMW has offered to pay for half of the labor cost to repair the bike, but not the full cost. The current new owner of the shop said that it should have been taken care of under warranty by the old owner. *Jb
- Suspension › Front
Leaving workplace, about 200 yards @ approx 35 mph, front left telescope disengaged and separated from the crossbar mechanism. instantly the handlebars turned right and the 'cycle collapsed onto its right side, pitching me to the ground. the cycle and I skidded to a stop, resulting in substantial…
Leaving workplace, about 200 yards @ approx 35 mph, front left telescope disengaged and separated from the crossbar mechanism. instantly the handlebars turned right and the 'cycle collapsed onto its right side, pitching me to the ground. the cycle and I skidded to a stop, resulting in substantial damages.motorcycle had been recently serviced under BMW manufacturer recall for a related suspension component that required the disassembly and re-assembly of the component that failed. against my firm requests that the crossbar not be taken apart until a BMW representative was present, the dealer (sale and sole servicer) proceeded to open the crossbar. the nut that was to hold the telescope into the crossbar was present, however, according to the dealer, he could not thread it onto the upper telescope bolt. The dealer questioned the mechanic who had worked on the recall work order, and said, "he (the mechanic) said, 'no way he didn't torque all three nuts'..." (the service manual does not indicate that this nut IS a "torque component" .. Ie does not specify "torque force" to be used.. (Begging the question "how does this nut 'lock'?" ... And no one has answered this question...) BMW did not respond to calls until I escalated the issue. I understand that the BMW west coast rep was sent digitized photos of the unit, and apparently denied any BMW responsibility to the dealer. when I finally spoke with the BMW west coast rep, he informed me that the dealer had instructed him not to speak with me. this situation would almost certainly have been fatal if it had occured "plus or minus" 1 mile, as I use this vehicle for transportation on congested freeways to and from work. no explanation regarding this failure has been provided to me, the shop service manual does not indicate how the telescope components "lock" in place. I fear that the combination of circumstances, product features, and lack of service failsafes might very well result in future serious accidents.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Front and rear signal lights keep breaking off on both sides under normal wear. This has happened 4 times.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Low idle/stalling/blue smoke at startup-original and BMW replaced motorcycle
- Electrical system › Wiring · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Motorcycle bursted into flames while driving at approximately 10 mph or less. motorcycle inspected by dealer, and informed consumer that the ABS harness had cut into a wire which shorted out, causing a fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Hose connected to one of the engine cylinders dislodged causing immediate loss of power.
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.
- 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.
Every BMW R1200C model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.