2018 BMW R1200 GS

Recalls

2 recalls name the 2018 BMW R1200 GS. Newest first.

• Equipment

  Mar 21, 2018NHTSA 18E0160001,571 vehiclesEquipment

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  Full recall details →

• Equipment

  Jul 28, 2017NHTSA 17V48100047,775 vehicles

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Engine2
2. Electrical system1
3. Steering1

Latest complaints

• May 15, 2025AZ11,500 mi
  Electrical system
  The contact owns a 2018 BMW R 1200 GS. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's decreased and the motorcycle lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road.…

  The contact owns a 2018 BMW R 1200 GS. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's decreased and the motorcycle lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with corrosion on the Dynamic Motor Engine (DME) connector pins. The contact was informed that the DME connector pins needed to be cleaned. The motorcycle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,500.

• Aug 21, 2021MN
  Engine
  Vehicle reported engine fault and cut engine power while on freeway (commonly known as "limp mode"). It was extremely dangerous trying to find somewhere to pull over with very little engine power. It has happened several times now. Vehicle is now longer safe for freeway use. It also happened…

  Vehicle reported engine fault and cut engine power while on freeway (commonly known as "limp mode"). It was extremely dangerous trying to find somewhere to pull over with very little engine power. It has happened several times now. Vehicle is now longer safe for freeway use. It also happened once mid corner which upsets the chassis and is quite dangerous on a motorcycle. Dealer performed a software update and cleared codes on 10/29/2020 which clearly did not fix anything. No warning is given. Power is just suddenly removed.

• Nov 6, 2020CA8,000 miCrash1 injury
  Steering

  Without warning the motorcycle steering went into what IS commonly know as "death wobble" or "tank slapping" with the steering uncontrollable rapidly moving right to left and immediately crashing causing severe injuries to driver.

• Oct 8, 2020UT12,100 mi
  Engine
  This IS in reference to ticket # 11363230. Related to this same vehicle. I went for a ride today and the same thing happened, with the engine suddenly shutting almost completely down. luckily, it was on a deserted country road and not in rush hour traffic. I am attaching a pdf of the obd scan I…

  This IS in reference to ticket # 11363230. Related to this same vehicle. I went for a ride today and the same thing happened, with the engine suddenly shutting almost completely down. luckily, it was on a deserted country road and not in rush hour traffic. I am attaching a pdf of the obd scan I took upon returning home today. also, please note that this defect IS showing up on a number of these bikes--there IS a thread discussing the issue at: https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?98612-2018-r1200rt-with-intermittent-check-engine-light&p=1223053#post1223053

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.

• 11006753Driveshaft Maintenance Schedule Change
• 10249027The 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 discharged battery complaints.
• 10248094Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance schedule is not limited to vehicles affected by the SI 33 02 22 (SERVICE ACTION: Swingarm Drain retrofit and Driveshaft Check), but is valid for all K5x models - including retroactively. In case of retroactive validity (model year 2023 and older), affected customers will be informed about the change. This will be in the form of a direct-to-customer letter with a description of the new maintenance schedule, specific owners manual insert, and consumer warranty book insert. 1. For vehicles affected by SI 33 02 22 (SERVICE ACTION: Swingarm Drain retrofit and Driveshaft Check), this service action must be performed first. All conditions described in this bulletin apply after the open Service Action has been completed. No additional communication is required for K5x models model year 2024 and onwards. Those models have the new maintenance schedule in their owners manual.
• 10236237Multiple 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.
• 10228448BMW 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.
• 10205109Stress corrosion cracks may occur on the studs of certain milled footrests from the BMW Motorrad special accessories catalog for the GS models.
• 10201169Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket (manufactured before 2009)Headlights and rear lights light up intermittently despite the ignition being switched off and the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket.
• 10200500The hill start control operation may be sporadic.
• 10200499Service distance cannot be set in miles in ISTA for TFT-type instrument clusters
• 10200496During operation of the rear wheel foot brake lever, the rider feels a soft pressure point or perceptibly longer lever travel
• 10200495BMW Motorrad has ascertained that vehicles fitted with option code 0190 "Enduro ASC + BMW Motorrad has ascertained that vehicles fitted with option code 0190 "Enduro ASC + Riding Modes" can experience functional problems in the Enduro PRO mode. Effective March 06, 2013, BMW Motorrad has a software solution available. Once the coding plug has been fitted and the software update performed, the customer can use all the riding modes
• 10200269The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
• 10194316The complaint of leaking telescopic forks is the top warranty claim in many current models,
• 10165274Ticking noises from the cylinder hood.
• 10165251Ticking noises from the cylinder hood.
• 10160232During the course of quality analysis, it was determined by BMW Motorrad that in the production period from February 2018 to end of June 2018, cross-spoked wheels with reduced spoke tension have been produced.
• 10159164Which charger should be used to charge the Li-ion HP and/or M batteries.
• 10151430Shift assist does not function after performing SIB 23 001 15 (017) DME software upgrade. This is due to a progrm fault in ISTA/p version 3.56.0.
• 10151392BMW Motorrad has determiend in th ecourse of quality observation that in a few cases clutch fluid may leak between the clutch slave cylinder and the braided stainless steel clutch line. The cause is a burr in the clutch slave cylinder which may damage the gasket of the clutch line.
• 10151297During programming ith ISTA/P software version3.58.2.001. a programming abort occurred. Afterwards the vehicle is inoperative and can no longer be started. Repeated programming is not possible with this tversion. Software bug.
• 10151295Grinding noises from rear drive - individual cover screws on rear drive are coming undone,screw chafes against the brake disk and makes noises.
• 10151238BMW Motorrad has determined in the course of quality observation that in a few cases clutch fluid may leak between the clutch slave cylinder and the braided stainless steel clutch line. The cause is a burr in the clutch slave cylinder which may damage the gasket of the clutch line. A vehicle with high mileage can show signs of gradual impairment of the clutch function. The separating action of the clutch can worsen gradually over a period of time.
• 10150153Swinging arm gaiter to gearbox is split or collapsed.
• 10149289Heated handlebar grips intermittently not working
• 10149288Navigator V maintains a Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone for a short period.
• 10149276During the course of the quality analysis carried out by BMW Motorrad, it has been determined that for the R 1200 models with the gearshift assistant (SA X222A) OE, a few faulty gearshift assistants have been installed in the production period from 09/02/2016 to 09/05/2016. Over the service life of the vehicle, there can be impairment of functions up to a loss of function of the gearshift assistants. In the case of a loss of function, a gear change (without the gearshift assistant) is possible only with the actuation of the clutch lever.
• 10149274Customer complains about an operating failure on the left or right multifunction switch.
• 10149207The cruise control system is not working in the Enduro/Pro mode
• 10149206When the throttle is closed, the engine goes into emergency mode.
• 10149205It is not possible to calibrate the ESA suspension strut.
• 10149204Incorrect road speed indicated.
• 10148016Difficulty retrofitting the gear shift Assistant Pro. Early prodction and incorrect integration level.
• 10148015Seat locking barrel - repair kit not permitted. After the seat lock cylinder has been replaced with a repair kit, the cylinder does not always stay securely installed.
• 10147996ESA spring strut cannot be calibrated / additional models added
• 10147963The rear SAF (Dynamic ESA) spring strut is able to twist by a few degrees.
• 10147804After activation of the alarm system, the turn indicators remain on for 1 minute with integration levels higher than k001-15-03-510.
• 10147756Mist forms in the headlight. This is due to condensation and goes away again.
• 10147754After activation of th ealarm system, the turn signals remain on for 1 minute. Previously they turned off automatically. Software malfunction.
• 10147168BMW Motorrad has ascertained that in isolated cases the fuse for the voltage regulator is not correctly secured in the holder by the threaded fasteners. This can prevent the battery from being charged while the motorcycle is being ridden. If this happens the 'General' warning light shows red and the battery symbol appears in the multifunction display.
• 10147167Heated handlebar grips with low output . Due to thicker aluminum handlebar.

Every BMW R1200 GS model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.