2020 BMW R 1250 RT
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › BMW › R 1250 RT › 2020
These records cover every 2020 BMW R 1250 RT. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT. Newest first.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Owner complaints
6 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power 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…
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.
- Service 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…
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
- Service 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
- Service 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…
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
- Service 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…
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.
- Service 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…
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.
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.
- 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.
- 10242536Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster.
- 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.
- 10235207Frame and mounting parts
- 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.
- 10218351Multiple 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.
- 10214997Battery empty despite charger.
- 10211897The motorcycle will not start. The vehicle battery is empty even though the battery charger was permanently connected to the 12V power socket.
- 10204682In an effort to continuously improve Motorrad connectivity capabilities, an important software update for the new 10.25? TFT display is scheduled.
- 10203318R 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.
- 10201170When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
- 10200497Special vehicles, Police, for example, should be configured/encoded with ISTA.
- 10200254BMW 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 Motorcycles from the time of retail up to the first scheduled ?break in? service are eligible.
Every BMW R 1250 RT model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.