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BMW · NHTSA safety record

2019 BMW R 1250 RT

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

Owners have filed 9 safety complaints about the 2019 BMW R 1250 RT with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the power train and the hydraulic brakes.

The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 7 complaints, 78% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 618 miles, the median across the 5 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2019 to May 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

9 complaints on file

9

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
SERVICE BRAKES 7 · 78%
ENGINE 1 · 11%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 · 11%
STRUCTURE 1 · 11%
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 9.

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 2021 at 4.

8 6 4 2
19 20 21 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2019 BMW R 1250 RT. 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

3 on file

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:SHAFT:INPUT

23V011000 · January 18, 2023

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
The risk
A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 18,534 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

20V476000 · August 13, 2020

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
The risk
Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 9,392 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

20V166000 · March 19, 2020

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
The risk
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 365 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Brake fluid leak at front brake caliper

PE20002

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened April 1, 2020 · closed September 21, 2020 · led to recall 20V476000

the brakes, the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on April 1st, 2020 to investigate six consumer complaint allegations of brake fluid leaking from the front brake calipers on their 2019-2020 model year (MY) BMW R1250 motorcycles. At the closing date of this investigation, the number of ODI complaints has risen to fourteen.During the investigation, ODI contacted several consumers to validate and confirm their complaints.ODI learned from these conversations that the subject motorcycles were leaving brake fluid puddles on or near the front tires. One consumer forwarded pictures of a subject motorcycle leaking brake fluid on a BMW dealer showroom floor. In response to an ODI Information Request (IR) letter, BMW supplied ODI with 139 dealer field reports. Many of them also described leaking brake calipers that failed at 0 to 4 miles shown on the bike odometer. ODI was also able to gather pictures from BMW related to the field reports and they too showed calipers leaking brake fluid. BMW disclosed in the IR response that they switched to a Hayes designed and manufactured front caliper starting with MY 2019 of the subject motorcycles. The previous model years used Brembo manufactured calipers. ODI analyzed warranty claims and production data provided by BMW. ODI found that 1,169 vehicles were repaired for front brake caliper leaks. A total of 838 subject vehicles were repaired before the date of first sale.The motorcycles, found to be leaking and serviced prior to the date of first sale, appeared to be in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 122 for ?Motorcycle Brake Systems?, under Section 5.2.3. The FMVSS requires that ?during all tests and on their completion, there shall be no friction material detachment and no leakage of brake fluid. Discussions between the NHTSA Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance and BMW resulted in the manufacturer recalling MY 2019-2020 R1250 GS, GS Adventure and R1250 RT, 2020 S1000 RR and S1000 XR motorcycles for front brake calipers leaking when parked, failing to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, Motorcycle Brake Systems.As part of the safety recall, BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved design free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 6, 2020.Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.This Preliminary Evaluation has been closed with a voluntary safety recall released by the manufacturer (20V-471).The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11340459, 11319970, 11320627, 11311740, 11319565, 11319858, 11311520, 11308994, 11323486, 11316146, 11319832, 11319554, 11322813, 11308930.

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.

STRUCTURE:BODY
When I purchased the motorcycle as a demo the front fender was loose from the fittings/placement. I repaired it and reported it to the BMW dealer. In the years that I have owned this motorcycle I have had to repair the same issue at least three times. I believe the dealer has also repaired it at least once after my complaint. Please see pictures attached. This is a serious safety issue as the Fender may come loose and interfere with the rotation of the front tire, resulting in an accident, or worse, injury.

NHTSA complaint 11738171. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Purchased 2019 BMW R1250RT on August 1, 2019. Noticed brake fluid leaking from day one but really didn't think anything of it at first. Fast forward to December 2020 and was doing a routine search on another vehicle and I thought I should check for recalls on my bike. Thats when I found Recall Campaign No: 20V-476. Bike has been sitting in garage ever since with 920 miles on it. I paid over 27,000.00 grand total. I took the bike to the dealer yesterday and asked about repairs and owner told me BMW are replacing brake rotors with Brembo brakes. Ok, great do it! Owner states that they are not available. I asked him if he and BMW were going to buy my bike back given that I cant ride it or sell

NHTSA complaint 11420550, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

3,662 miles

EXISTING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 20V476 RECALL WAS STARTED AUG 2020. BMW ISSUED STOP SALE ON MY MODEL AND RELATED MODELS. FOUND OUT DURING SERVICE OCT 2020 THAT MY BIKE WAS AFFECTED. BMW TODAY MARCH 4TH 2021 TOLD ME THEY DON'T HAVE A DATE FOR REPLACEMENT BRAKE PARTS. I CANNOT TRADE OR SELL THIS BIKE WITH THIS RECALL AND BMW HAS NO REMEDY. BMW HAS HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO FIX THIS RECALL PERMANENTLY AND AS SUCH I THINK THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO BUY BACK CUSTOMER'S MOTORCYCLES. EXISTING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 20V476

NHTSA complaint 11399085. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW R 1250 RT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V476000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GO AZ MOTORCYCLES (15500 N HAYDEN RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260; (480)609-1800) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint 11396660. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

618 miles

LEAKING BREAK CALIPERS AFTER 618 MILES. THE ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED DURING MY INITIAL 600 MILE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. BMW IS SELLING THESE BIKES WITH KNOW BREAK ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE R1250RT AND R1250GS MODELS. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT HAS NOT SELLING THESE BIKE OR ISSUED A RECALL. NEW REPLACEMENT CALIPERS HAVE BEEN ORDER FOR 30 DAY NOW. NEW CALIPERS WILL HAVE DIFFERENT PART NUMBER DUE TO THE ORIGINAL PART HAVING A FAULTING DESIGN AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

NHTSA complaint 11319565. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

6,300 miles

I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE IN EARLY MARCH 2020. I LEFT THE MOTORCYCLE ON ITS CENTER AT MY RELATIVE'S RESIDENCE, IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. TWO AND A HALF WEEKS LATER I RETURNED TO MY RELATIVE'S RESIDENCE TO RETRIEVE IT AND NOTICED AN ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE FRONT WHEEL, AT THE 6 O'CLOCK POSITION. I CLEANED THE FLUID AND INSPECTED THE BRAKE CALIPER. I DID NOT THINK OF TAKING PHOTOS OF MY FINDINGS AT THE TIME. I RETURNED HOME WITH THE MOTORCYCLE. ON 3-27-2020 I RODE THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE BMW MOTORCYCLES OF CONCORD, CA. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND CONFIRMED BOTH CALIPERS HAD EVIDENCE OF FLUID LEAKAGE. I WAS TOLD BY BECKY, A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, BMW IS AWARE

NHTSA complaint 11319554, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other 2019 BMW models

X5 190 X3 170 X7 47 330I 41 430I 21 530I 15 R 1250 GS 15 530E 13

Complaints on file, same model year.

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