VehicleVerdict

2004 BMW R 1200 GS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2004 BMW R 1200 GS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other R 1200 GS years?

R 1200 GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted65 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 65 complaints2006: 10 complaints2007: 47 complaints2008: 39 complaints2009: 39 complaints2010: 9 complaints2011: 7 complaints2012: 13 complaints2013: 11 complaints2014: 18 complaints2015: 14 complaints2016: 15 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 4 complaints
R 1200 GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all R 1200 GS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 BMW R 1200 GS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes125%
Other125%
Suspension125%
Transmission125%

Does the 2004 BMW R 1200 GS have recalls?

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

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.

06V134000BrakesApril 24, 2006 · 9,260 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IF CERTAIN PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMED THAT INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE CALIPER, THE ABS SENSOR CABLE CAN BE ROUTED INCORRECTLY AND WHEN THE CALIPER IS REINSTALLED, THE SENSOR CABLE CAN COME INTO CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST THE FRONT BRAKE DISC. OVERTIME, IF THE CHAFING BECOMES SEVERE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE THE ABS FUNCTION.

Consequence

LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH DURING CERTAIN RIDING CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ATTACH ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE ABS SENSOR CABLE, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A MORE SECURE CONNECTION TO THE WHEEL CARRIER. 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.

05V082000Fuel SystemMarch 3, 2005 · 3,084 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE DEFECT INVOLVES A WATER LEAK AROUND THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS INTEGRATED WITHIN THE FUEL TANK. AN O-RING SEAL ATTACHED TO THE PUMP'S ELECTRONIC HOUSING DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER CAN BYPASS THIS SEAL AND CONTACT THE PUMP ELECTRONICS.

Consequence

ENGINE STALLING, OR A FAILURE TO START, COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE RIDER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE A SEALING RING. IF THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC UNIT IS CORRODED, IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2005. ADDITIONAL MY 2005 R1200 GS MOTORCYCLES WERE ADDED TO THIS RECALL IN DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS OF MY 2005 MOTORCYCLES WILL RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION DURING FEBRUARY 2006 THROUGH AUGUST 2006. 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.

“STRESS FRACTURE ON BMW GS1200 (2004) REAR WHEEL ATTACHMENT FLANGE. THIS BILLET ALUMINUM FLANGE IS THE SINGLE COMPONENT CONNECTING THE REAR WHEEL WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. CRITICAL FAILURE WILL CERTAINLY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. BMWNA INDICATE THAT THIS IS A NORMAL WEAR ITEM AND OFFER NO RECOURSE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 2, 2009

“I HAVE A 2007 BMW R1150 GS MOTORCYCLE WITH A FAILING SIGHT GLASS. IT HAS NOT MELTED, BUT HAS A WHITE HALO AROUND THE OUTSIDE EDGE WHICH INDICATES OVERHEATING OF THE SIGHT GLASS. ACTION NUMBER ON THIS ISSUE IS PE07031.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 4, 2007

“RIDING THE BIKE SLOWLY (ABOUT 40 KPH) AND BRAKED HEAVILY. DISINTEGRATION OF REAR WHEEL CARRIER (FLANGE) ON BMW GS1200 (2004) . THIS BILLET ALUMINUM FLANGE IS THE SINGLE COMPONENT CONNECTING THE REAR WHEEL WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. AND ALSO THE BRAKE DISK. THE PART BROKE APART UNDER HEAVY BRAKING AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 20, 2010

2004 BMW R 1200 GS — common questions

Is the 2004 BMW R 1200 GS reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2004 BMW R 1200 GS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 BMW R 1200 GS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW R 1200 GS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the R 1200 GS years to avoid are 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008. The cleanest record among R 1200 GS years belongs to 2018.

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.