VehicleVerdict

2012 BMW R 1200 GS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2012 BMW R 1200 GS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other R 1200 GS years?

R 1200 GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all R 1200 GS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 BMW R 1200 GS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System538%
Transmission323%
Engine215%
Other18%
Body & Structure18%
Suspension18%

Does the 2012 BMW R 1200 GS have recalls?

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

21V060000Fuel SystemFebruary 8, 2021 · 20,963 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.

Consequence

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

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17E052000LightingAugust 21, 2017 · 9,000 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain accessory turn signals manufactured for 2006-2017 R1200GS, 2007-2008 and 2010-2017 R1200GS Adventure, 2017 F700GS and F800GS, 2013-2017 F800GT, 2015-2016 F800R, 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure, 2014-2016 S1000R, 2015-2017 R1200R, 2016-2017 R1200RS, and 2010-2017 S1000RR motorcycles. As designed, these accessory turn signals may be insufficiently visible to other drivers, and, as such, fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If other drivers cannot easily see the turn signals, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“FUEL PUMP STARTING LEAKING WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL, BUT NOT FOR MY MODEL YEAR 2012. OBVIOUSLY, THE DEFECT WASN'T CORRECTED ON MY BIKE, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM PLANNING ON BRINGING THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE SHOP TOMORROW FOR REMEDIATION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 23, 2017

“BRAKING STARTED TO FEEL SOFT AND SLOW, I NOTICED THAT FLUID HAD STARTED TO LEAK FROM FINAL DRIVE AREA. TOOK TO DEALER (RIDE WEST BMW, SEATTLE), FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. DEALER VERIFIED FINAL DRIVE FAILURE.TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THESE WERE THE REPLACED ITEMS: CROWN BEARINGS, SEALING O-RING,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 30, 2013

“SEVERAL TIMES THE BIKE THREW AN ERROR MESSAGE ABOUT "ENGINE CONTROLLER FAULT" AND LOST POWER, GOING INTO "LIMP-HOME" MODE. ALL OCCURRENCES WERE WHILE THE BIKE WAS BEING OPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF A CORNER. THE BIKE WAS UNRIDEABLE IN LIMP-HOME MODE SO WAS NAVIGATED OUT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 19, 2020

“I OWN A TOURATECH ZEGA PRO ALUMINIUM PANNIER SET ON MY BMW R1200GS 2012 BIKE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS ON MARCH 3RD 2014, DURING A ROUTINE BIKE RIDE ON A HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT HAND SIDE 45L PANNIER BECAME DETACHED AND FELL OFF THE BIKE, ALTHOUGH I HAVE REGULARLY CHECKED THE BIKE & PANNIERS BEFORE RIDING.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 3, 2014

“I WAS TRAVELLING SAFELY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT SPEED LIMIT IN HEAVY INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I CHANGED LANES INTO THE FAST LANE UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER COMPLETELY. I COULD NOT RESTART THE BIKE AND SO TRIED TO GET INTO THE SLOW LANE AS THERE WAS NO ROOM ON THE INSIDE SHOULDER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 21, 2015

2012 BMW R 1200 GS — common questions

Is the 2012 BMW R 1200 GS reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 R 1200 GS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (5 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 BMW R 1200 GS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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.