2013 BMW R 1200 R

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

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

towed · 11,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW R1200 R. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EURO CYCLES OF TAMPA BAY (8509 GUNN HWY, ODESSA, FL 33556, (813) 926-9937) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAP'S CYCLE SALES, INC. (2530 17TH ST, SARASOTA, FL 34234, (941) 365-3443) FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A METAL RING WAS PLACED ON THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …

NHTSA complaint 11280282, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I have read on the BMW forums that the plastic cams that are attached to the throttle bodies will crack. If a crack is spotted the cams need to be replaced because they can fail causing the motorcycle to stop running. This spring while doing my spring maintenance I inspected the cams and found both of the throttle body cams cracked. I replaced both of the cams with after market aluminum cams that cost me over $450 in just parts. I replaced the cams before i has a catastrophic failure while I was riding the motorcycle. Other people have been stranded on the side of the road with this problem. I did not want to be one of them.

NHTSA complaint 11460526. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The component that fails is called the Fuel Strip (BMW part number 16147697815) and is used for measuring the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. This component is historically known to fail often and this problem is well known by BMW motorcycle dealers and motorcyclists that use this fuel strip. The failure of these Fuel Strips is a safety issue because it can cause loss of power, by running out of fuel, in traffic and/or at speed. Additionally it is a safety issue because it can leave the driver stranded in an unsafe location. The failure can occur at any time including shortly after installation of a new fuel strip. The Fuel Strip has a design flaw that causes these chronic failures.

NHTSA complaint 11439839. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

There is a faulty fuel pump, but the dealership cancelled my service because their location is being consolidated and the next-closest dealership is over an hour away. Can another shop not do this fuel pump replacement?

NHTSA complaint 11426772. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

1,100 miles

FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RESPONDING, LEADING TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE MOVING. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON MANY BIKE MODELS FROM BMW FROM 2005-2013. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 5 TIMES SO FAR, AND EACH TIME THE FUEL LEVEL MEASURING STRIP IN THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION SINCE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM RUNNING OUT OF FUEL CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS ON A MOTORCYCLE. THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE FIRST INSTANCE OF WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint 10915013. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

1,000 miles

THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED LOW LEVEL AND THE RESERVE VISUAL ALARM STAYED ON WHILE THERE WAS PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE TANK. REPORTED TO DEALER, OFFICIAL BMW DEALER BROWARD MOTORSPORT OF PALM BEACH, THEIR REPORT CLAIMED THEY HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, THE MOTORCYCLE HAD 1166 MILES AT TIME OF SERVICE. TODAY, AT 1540 MILES THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN, THERE IS PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE TANK BUT THE GAUGE SHOW THE LOWEST BAR ONLY AND THE VISUAL ALARM LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. I WILL NOW HAVE TO TAKE THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INSTALL THE 3RD FUEL GAUGE IN 1500 MILES. IT'S A 17,500 $, 2013 NEW MOTORCYCLE, STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN ONCE THE WARRANTY WILL BE …

NHTSA complaint 10676355, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.