2021 BMW R 1250 RT

Recalls

2 recalls name the 2021 BMW R 1250 RT. Newest first.

• Power train › Manual transmission › Internal › Shaft › Input

  Jan 18, 2023NHTSA 23V01100018,534 vehicles

  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.

  Full recall details →

• Equipment › Other › Labels

  Aug 20, 2020NHTSA 20V495000447 vehicles

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 R 1250 RT, R 1250 R, R 1250 RS, R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles. The tire pressure labels may not remain affixed to the motorcycle frame. As a result, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  If the label detaches from the motorcycle, proper tire pressure information may not be readily available. This could result in the rider improperly filling the tires which may affect motorcycle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began October 19, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Forward collision avoidance2
2. Electrical system1
3. Engine1
4. Service brakes1
5. Wheels1

Latest complaints

• Sep 5, 2024AK
  Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control
  Original owner, purchased July 2021. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) continues to drop off intermittently after numerous complaints to BMW service techs and BMW Customer Relations since new. Attempts to repair include dealer 'recalibration' and software updates none of which have solved the issue.…

  Original owner, purchased July 2021. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) continues to drop off intermittently after numerous complaints to BMW service techs and BMW Customer Relations since new. Attempts to repair include dealer 'recalibration' and software updates none of which have solved the issue. When in use, ACC suddenly, without warning drops out leaving driver to actively recover previous speed (throttle). Not such a problem at lower speeds, however at highway speeds the dropout could be life-threatening. In my case, traveling the posted 85mph highway speed outside of Salt Lake City, the ACC dropped out. The sudden deceleration nearly threw me from the motorcycle as if I had suddenly braked at highway speed. The highway was congested with the vehicle behind me having to emergency brake to avoid a collision. Most recently, on August 27th, 2024, I brought the motorcycle to a BMW dealership in Anchorage, Alaska for annual service and to request warranty repair of the faulty ACC unit. I showed images of the failure notifications, gave history of previous repair requests and repair attempts by other dealers. The service manager assured me he would contact BMW tech support to resolve the issue. After a mandatory software update and 'recalibration' I rode the motorcycle home. The unit failed three times over the 400-mile trip. Ultimately, the service center failed to complete warranty service on the ongoing life-threatening ACC failure due to lack of technical expertise to address the issue and false narrative of contacting BMW tech for a solution.

• Oct 17, 2023NY
  Electrical system
  Page 67 of the BMW Motorad Owners Manual describes operation of the "self," cancelling , "Comfort turn indicators" as follows: After the turn signal is pushed to the right or left, the turn signal indictors automatically turn off under the following conditions: -Speed is under 18mph; after a…

  Page 67 of the BMW Motorad Owners Manual describes operation of the "self," cancelling , "Comfort turn indicators" as follows: After the turn signal is pushed to the right or left, the turn signal indictors automatically turn off under the following conditions: -Speed is under 18mph; after a distance of 165Ft is covered. -Speed is between 18 mph and 60 mph: after a speed dependent distance is covered or during acceleration. -Speed is above 60 mph: after turn signal indicator flashes five times. The turn signals don't turn off as described above. The auto cancelling signals only turn off after a distance of approximately 1500 feet regardless of speed. This can create a dangerous situation as oncoming traffic expects you to turn the motorcycle but you intend to go straight as the turn signal indicator remains on unless you remember each time the turn signal is activated to manually cancel it. I have been to MAX BMW Motorad dealer in Connecticut for 3 attempts to remedy the electronic issue to no avail. They stated all they can do is set the distance to cancel. (1500feet). The cancelling feature as a function of speed cannot be corrected. Hopefully no rider will be injured or die when the system doesn't work as specified in the owner's manual and the "auto," cancelling signals don't auto cancel causing confusion of a car operator to not understand the intent of the motorcyclist to go straight vice turning.

• Sep 6, 2021AL
  Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control
  The distance control on the cruise control will just fail while in use. Going through Atlanta with cruise set at 65 MPH in traffic and it just fails (alert pop up too) and throttle goes to zero which on a motorcycle means immediate engine braking. Nearly get run over by car behind me. Has been to…

  The distance control on the cruise control will just fail while in use. Going through Atlanta with cruise set at 65 MPH in traffic and it just fails (alert pop up too) and throttle goes to zero which on a motorcycle means immediate engine braking. Nearly get run over by car behind me. Has been to the dealer and they did a calibration and said it was fine only for it to return in about 200 miles. This is a new feature on these bikes and the dealer has no idea what to do at thie point. At a minimum BMW should look into this and get to the issue then notify all owners.

• Sep 6, 2021AL
  Engine · Service brakes · Wheels
  BMW is selling a motorcycle with no information to the user on how to maintain it. The manual doesn't even have basic maintenance procedures or torques. You can't even get a service CD from the dealer. If the bike can't maintained or you do something wrong it could fail on the road and possibly…

  BMW is selling a motorcycle with no information to the user on how to maintain it. The manual doesn't even have basic maintenance procedures or torques. You can't even get a service CD from the dealer. If the bike can't maintained or you do something wrong it could fail on the road and possibly kill you. I thought there were laws that you didn't have to have the bike serviced by the dealer or if so it should be free. I have never bought a bike that didn't have some information available.

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.
• 10208187This bulletin describes important software updates for the new 10.25? TFT instrument display.
• 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.
• 10184587Water Ingress In Footwell Area From A/C Condensate Drain: Water Ingress In Footwell Area From A/C Condensate Drain. Customer complains of musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
• 10182921CONDENSATION FROM AIR CONDITIONING LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FOOTWELL: Condensation from the air conditioning systems evaporator drips, below the instrument panel, into the passenger's footwell. During assembly, the cover of the fresh air intake was not fully seated when the screws were tightened. This cover can then leak condensation out through the existing gap.
• 10182920BUZZING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS DEACTIVATED: A buzzing noise is heard when the air conditioning (A/C) is deactivated while the vehicle is in park or neutral. Prior to turning off the A/C, the system was functional and cooling properly. A/C compressor, or The power supply to the A/C compressor is too low.
• 10182622CONDENSATION FROM AIR CONDITIONING LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FOOTWELL: Condensation from the air conditioning systems evaporator drips, below the instrument panel, into the passenger's footwell. During assembly, the cover of the fresh air intake was not fully seated when the screws were tightened. This cover can then leak condensation out through the existing gap.
• 10182621BUZZING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS DEACTIVATED: A buzzing noise is heard when the air conditioning (A/C) is deactivated while the vehicle is in park or neutral. Prior to turning off the A/C, the system was functional and cooling properly. A/C compressor, or The power supply to the A/C compressor is too low.
• 10181231BMW TURBOCORD PORTABLE EV 120 V/240 V CHARGER: The BMW-approved accessory TurboCord electric vehicle (EV) charger will not charge the vehicle.
• 10181227SERVICE ACTION - RENEW INTERIOR MIRROR HOLDER: The bonding of the interior mirror holder was not performed correctly. Incorrect bonding during production.
• 10181224SERVICE ACTION - PROGRAM THE BODY DOMAIN CONTROL (BDC) UNIT: Aftermarket scan tools cannot read fault codes in the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) unit via the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) socket. The DSC data is not processed correctly in the BDC and therefore cannot transmit any diagnostic requests via the OBD using aftermarket scan tools.
• 10181216I01 REX MISFIRES AT HIGH ALTITUDES USING WINTER-BLEND FUEL: The check engine light (MIL) is displayed, and in some cases the range extender (REx) engine will run rough for about 1 to 2 seconds during cold start.

Every BMW R 1250 RT model year

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