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BMW · NHTSA safety record

2013 BMW R 1200 GS

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 11 safety complaints about the 2013 BMW R 1200 GS with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the fuel and propulsion system, named in 5 complaints, 45% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 29,595 miles, the median across the 10 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2013 to October 2024 · How this is counted

What is on file

11 complaints on file

11

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 45%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 18%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 · 9%
STRUCTURE 1 · 9%
SUSPENSION 1 · 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 · 9%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 11.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 3.

4 3 2 1
13 14 18 19 20 22 24

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2024.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 BMW R 1200 GS. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

21V060000 · February 8, 2021

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

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 20,963 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

14V211000 · April 18, 2014

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 R 1200 GS motorcycles manufactured November 2012 through August 2013. Pressure inside the transmission may cause the transmission output seal to be pushed out of place.
The risk
If the output seal ring is pushed out of its proper position, oil may leak from the transmission onto the rear tire, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will fit a bracket to prevent the transmission seal from being pushed out of position, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 1,420 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14V065000 · February 19, 2014

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 C 600 Sport, C 650 GT, F 700 GS, F 800 GS, F 800 GS Adventure, F 800 GT, R 1200 R and R1200 GS motorcycles. Water may enter the side-stand switch preventing the motorcycle from starting or potentially shutting off the motorcycle while it is being ridden.
The risk
An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side-stand switch, free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 4,453 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT

13V154000 · April 22, 2013

The defect
BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 R1200 GS motorcycles manufactured January 9, 2013, through February 8, 2013. Due to an insufficient torque of a locking bolt, the front fork tube may loosen.
The risk
If the fork loosens it may hinder the rider's ability to control the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners and dealers will reinforce the affected fork locking bolt connections, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety recall by telephone on April 22 and April 23, 2013. Therefore, an owner notification letter will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 15 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

towed · 33,169 miles

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V060000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the fuel pump failed and leaked fuel all over the motorcycle and onto the contact. The contact was able pull the motorcycle off the highway and with the assistance of his son; the motorcycle was loaded onto a trailer and taken to a dealer. The dealer was notified about the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that he would be notified when parts became available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.

NHTSA complaint 11455569, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 46,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 BMW R 1200 GS Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the motorcycle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over to inspect the motorcycle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact started to slowly exit the highway, the drive shaft, rear drive, and swing arm failed and fractured apart with the rear wheel locking up. Due to the failure, the contact had the motorcycle towed to a dealer where the failure was confirmed. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the

NHTSA complaint 11603471, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Riding at freeway speeds fuel system is spilling out fuel down both sides of the engine. I smelled strong fuel smell while riding but was unable to stop until almost home. At home inspected bike and discovered leak even while at idle but have not dug in to identify exact leak location. having it trailered into BWM repair facility when appointment available. I do not see a recall for my make year and model of 1200 GS but it does fall in the years listed as a concern?

NHTSA complaint 11622437. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

26,021 miles

DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT A "FLOATING SHAFT" EXISTS IN THE GEARBOX, MEANING THE SHAFT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AXIALLY, AS OPPOSED TO RADIALLY. THIS IS TYPICALLY CAUSED BY INCORRECT TORQUE PROCEDURES OR A DESIGN FLAW TO THE NUT HOLDING THE CLUTCH BASKET ON THE SHAFT. THE NUT WOULD LOOSEN, AND CAUSES THE SHAFT TO START MOVING BACK AND FORTH. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY AS IT CAN LOCK THE REAR WHEEL DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. THE "FLOATING SHAFT" ISSUE IS DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE RIDER/OWNER. APPARENTLY, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER MODELS OF BMW MOTORCYCLES BELOW 30K MILES, AND BMW MOTORRAD USA ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVE NOT PROVIDED A NEW GEARBOX

NHTSA complaint 11331074, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

26,021 miles

LEAKS DETECTED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FORKS/SUSPENSION. REQUIRES REPLACING THE FORK SEALS AND REBUILDING THE FORKS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LESS THAN 26,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA complaint 11331078. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

40,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R1200 GS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A FUEL STATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V617000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW MOTORCYCLES OF ESCONDIDO (LOCATED AT 499 N HALE AVE, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029, (760) 520-1288) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *LN*JB*CW*JB

NHTSA complaint 11269361. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW R 1200 GS

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 12 2 —
2015 10 2 —
2014 14 3 1
2012 10 1 —
2010 8 3 —

Other 2013 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 257 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst