VehicleVerdict

2005 BMW K 1200 S problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2005 BMW K 1200 S — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

20

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other K 1200 S years?

K 1200 S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted20 complaints2003: 2 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 20 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 5 complaints2008: 19 complaints2010: 1 complaints
K 1200 S NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all K 1200 S years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 BMW K 1200 S problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System735%
Engine315%
Brakes315%
Transmission315%
Steering15%
Body & Structure15%
Suspension15%
Electrical System15%

Does the 2005 BMW K 1200 S have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V471000Fuel SystemAugust 10, 2020 · 16,926 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

15V141000Tires & WheelsMarch 11, 2015 · 43,426 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are over tightened.

Consequence

If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing aluminum rear wheel flange with a steel one, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V617000Fuel SystemDecember 12, 2013 · 50,184 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 model year R-model motorcycles, model year 2005-2012 K-model motorcycles, model year 2010-2011 S 1000 model motorcycles, and model year 2006-2010 HP2 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel pump flange (and the auxiliary fuel pump flange if equipped) could develop cracks and leak fuel.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will either reinforce the fuel pump flange or replace the pump, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

10V488000SuspensionOctober 8, 2010 · 11,826 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 MOTORCYCLES. THE BEARINGS COULD BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION. THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED MOVEMENT OF THE LINK LEVER.

Consequence

THIS COULD AFFECT THE HANDLING OF THE MOTORCYCLE INCREASING THE RISK A DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

07V066000EngineFebruary 23, 2007 · 6,631 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, FREQUENT SHORT TRIPS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, CAN CAUSE WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE OIL TANK, AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, ESCAPING WATER VAPOR CAN CONDENSE ON THE OIL TANK AIR BLEED VALVE. IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THIS WATER COULD FREEZE AND BLOCK THE AIR BLEED VALVE.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A PRESSURE BUILD UP IN THE OIL TANK COULD CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE REAR TIRE. AN OIL LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE. OIL ON THE REAR TIRE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW OIL TANK CAP CONTAINING A VALVE TO PREVENT OVERPRESSURE IN THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

06V164000BrakesMay 15, 2006 · 13,200 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, UNDER RAPID, REPEATED, AND UNUSUALLY HARSH BRAKING, LOSS OF ABS CAPABILITY COULD TEMPORARILY OCCUR.

Consequence

TEMPORARY LOSS OF ABS BRAKING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A PHYSICAL RESTRICTION, IN THE FORM OF A BANJO BOLT WITH A FLOW RESTRICTOR TO THE BRAKE LINE, AND ON CERTAIN MODELS DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT BRAKE DISCS OF A SLIGHTLY LARGER THICKNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006, AND WILL BE A PHASED MAILING THROUGH OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

05V363000BrakesAugust 19, 2005 · 331 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ROUTING OF THE INTEGRAL ANTI-LOCK-BRAKE SYSTEM (IABS) SENSOR CABLE IF SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE, FOR EXAMPLE, A FRONT TIRE CHANGE.

Consequence

THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT WITH, AND RUB AGAINST, THE FRONT BRAKE DISK. IF THE CHAFING BECOMES SEVERE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE THE ABS FUNCTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ATTACH AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO THE IABS SENSOR CABLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE BIKE I WAS RIDING WHEN I SMELLED GASOLINE, MY LEFT LEG FELT WET AND I RETURNED TO THE HOUSE. GASOLINE PUDDLED UNDER THE BIKE LEAKING FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE BIKE. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATED THIS WAS PROBABLY THE FUEL TANK QUICK DISCONNECT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 25, 2014

“*2005 BMW K1200s ABS Power Brake system became and is Intermittent. Is available for inspection. Dealer owner and mechanic stated they were unaware of any said BMW ABS problems * On my birthday , Riding my motorcycle approximately 40mph, no indicator light on, no prier symptoms existed and unaware…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 9, 2017 · crash

“MY 2005 BMW K1200S MOTORCYCLE FREQUENTLY SLIPS OUT OF SECOND GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL. OCCASIONALLY, I CANNOT SHIFT FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL STAY IN NEUTRAL. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY LESS THAN 500 MI. AGO AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL ACTING AS DESCRIBED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 15, 2006

“WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD: THE BIKE STALLS WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOPLIGHT WITH CLOSED THROTTLE AND THE CLUTCH IN. THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM: 1. THE ENGINE SURGES IN THE FIRST 3 GEARS AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 30MPH) WITH THE THROTTLE BARELY CRACKED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 23, 2011

2005 BMW K 1200 S — common questions

Is the 2005 BMW K 1200 S reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 K 1200 S problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (7 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 BMW K 1200 S have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 BMW K 1200 S. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 BMW K 1200 S under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.