VehicleVerdict

2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other R1200 Gs Adventure years?

R1200 Gs Adventure NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted18 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 17 complaints2008: 18 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 0 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 1 complaints
R1200 Gs Adventure NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all R1200 Gs Adventure years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System633%
Brakes317%
Transmission317%
Electrical System211%
Other16%
Seats16%
Body & Structure16%
Engine16%

Does the 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure have recalls?

5 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.

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.

09V129000Electrical SystemApril 17, 2009 · 893 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008 R1200 GS AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, SUCH AS HIGH GENERATOR SPEEDS COMBINED WITH LARGE DEMANDS FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT, SPURIOUS SIGNALS COULD EMERGE WITHIN THE MOTORCYCLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD AFFECT THE PRESSURE SENSOR SIGNALS OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL UNIT. IF THIS HAPPENED, THE ABS COULD SWITCH OFF; HOWEVER, IN SUCH A SITUATION, A WARNING LAMP WOULD ILLUMINATE. NORMAL BRAKING WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE TO SLOW AND STOP THE MOTORCYCLE.

Consequence

ANY TIME VEHICLE CONTROL IS COMPROMISED A CRASH MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 26, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

08V290000TransmissionJuly 1, 2008 · 46 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING 46 MY 2008 R1200 R, R1200 GS, AND R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO A MATERIAL DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE SHAFT COULD BREAK. IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENED, LOCK-UP OF THE REAR TIRE COULD OCCUR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING TO BREAK. IF THIS HAPPENED, OIL COULD LEAK ONTO THE REAR WHEE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARBOX. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.

08V254000BrakesJune 5, 2008 · 4,922 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING 4,922 MY 2007-2008 R1200R, MY 2006-2007 R1200 GS, MY 2007 R1200 ST, AND MY 2008 R1200 GS ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE CURRENT ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DURING RIDING, THE BRAKE LINES COULD BE UNDER STRAIN. IF THE VIBRATION/STRAIN IS SIGNIFICANT, THE BRAKE LINES COULD SPLIT AND START TO DEVELOP A LEAK. IF THE LEAK BECAME SIGNIFICANT, BRAKE FLUID COULD ESCAPE. IF THIS HAPPENED, THE LEVEL OF FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR OF THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM COULD DROP.

Consequence

IF FLUID LEVEL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL NEW BRAKE LINES WITH A MODIFIED ROUTING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. 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.

“FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHOWED EMPTY AFTER REFILLING. FLASHING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. FILLED UP WITH 1/2 GALLON OF 91 OCTANE GASOLINE TO VISIBLE FULL IN TANK. THE TANK WAS NOT EMPTY, FAULTY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE/STRIP. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST WITH NO APPARENT PERMANENT FIX.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 15, 2009

“RIGHT ANGLE TRANSMISSION(FINAL DRIVE) BEARINGS FAILED REQUIRING A $2200 REPAIR. POOR DESIGN. ORIGINAL PART NOT AVAILABLE, FIRST MODIFICATION PART NOT AVAILABLE, SECOND MODIFICATION PART REQUIRED TO REPAIR MOTORCYCLE. BMW IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE INADEQUATE PART DESIGN. FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 21, 2012

“IN HAVING THE BIKE SERVICE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS PUMP UNIT HAS FAILED AND DID SOME TIME AGO. THIS IS HAPPENING ON MANY BMW MOTORCYCLE FROM THE R AND K CLASS OF BIKES AND COULD CAUSE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH WILL CREATE SERIOUS INJURIES”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2014

“I WAS RIDING ON THE CENTRAL FREEWAY ON THE BAY BRIDGE APPROACH WHEN I BEGAN TO FEEL HEAT ON MY LEFT INNER THIGH. I ALSO NOTICED A BURNING RUBBER OR PLASTIC SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MERGING TO THE RIGHT AS I WAS APPROACHING THE LAST SAN FRANCISCO EXIT BEFORE THE BAY BRIDGE. I FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 24, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ENGINE OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE REAR DISK THAT LEAKED ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 17, 2015

2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure — common questions

Is the 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 R1200 Gs Adventure problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (6 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), transmission (3 complaints).

Does the 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.