CarRecallWatchThe 2016 BMW R1200 GS has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash.
The most-reported problem area is Suspension (5 reports).
2016 BMW R1200 GS recalls
Rear reflectors may be blocked by luggage cases, raising crash risk
On certain BMW motorcycles equipped with optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors can be partially blocked from view.
Front fork tube can separate, risking loss of control
BMW is recalling certain 2014-2017 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles because the front fork tube may separate from the pressed-in seal plug that secures it to the upper triple clamp.
Most common 2016 BMW R1200 GS problems
Problem areas named in the 12 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
What owners report
Rear brake on motorcycle does not stop the motorcycle. After three BMW dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. The same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.
THE REAR BRAKE BECOMES INEFFECTIVE. DEALER SAYS THAT AIR INVADES THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. BLEEDING THE OLD BRAKE FLUID AND REPLACING IT WITH NEW BRAKE FLUID SOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS. THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THE BLEEDING MUST BE DONE AGAIN. FRONT BRAKE CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT ALL TIMES.
WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE GOES INTO A FAULTED STATE SPONTANEOUSLY WITH NO WARNING PRIOR, THE ECU IS FAULTING AND PUTTING THE ENGINE INTO "LIMP MODE" WHICH IS ALMOST EQUIVALENT OF COMPLETELY KILLING THE ENGINE THE WAY IT IS CURRENTLY DONE, AND YOU ARE LEFT TO NAVIGATE OFF THE HIGHWAY IN A SEVERELY DEBILITATED STATE OF OPERATION. THE ENGINE IS PROGRAMMED WITH A "LIMP MODE" FAULT I ASSUME TO SAVE THE ENGINE? BUT MY COMPLAINT IS , THE WAY IT CURRENTLY OPERATES ON THE MOTORCYCLE,IT IS PATENTLY "UNSAFE" AND PUTS THE RIDER OR OPERATOR AND PASSENGER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SHOULD THE "LIMP MODE" FAULT BE ENGAGED . I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THIS, WITHOUT A
I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL. NO NOTIFICATION VIA MAIL, EMAIL, PHONE CALL, ETC. I WAS ONLY ALERTED TO THIS RECALL WHEN I BROUGHT MY BMW MOTORCYCLE BACK TO THE BMW DEALER FOR NON-RELATED WARRANTY WORK. THE DEALER WAS VERY SURPRISED I HAD NOT HAD THE FRONT FORK RECALL DONE, AND MY REPLY WAS THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THIS IS SAFETY RECALL # 17V-438, FYI. THIS RECALL BEGAN IN AUGUST, 2017. NO NOTIFICATION IS VERY SURPRISING AND UPSETTING TO ME, AS I PURCHASED THIS BMW MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW AT THIS DEALER, SO BMW CLEARLY HAS MY INFORMATION ON FILE. MY INFO HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE PURCHASE OF THIS MOTORCYCLE IN AUGUST OF 2016. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY
ON MAY 13, 2017, WHILE RIDING MY 2016 BMW R1200GS WITH 11500 MILES, ONE OF MY RIDING PARTNERS NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE SUSPENSION FORK TUBES. AFTER PEELING THE RUBBER BOOTS THAT COVER THE STANCHIONS, WE NOTICED THAT BOTH STANCHIONS ON THE BIKE HAD SEPARATED. I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT, EXCEPT ONE OF THE PERSONS WITH WHOM I WAS RIDING, HAD THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEN WITH HIS 2013 BMW R1200GS. I STILL HAD TO RIDE 170 MILES HOME WITH 15 MILES OF IT ON DIRT. I RODE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULDN'T LET ME TAKE THE BIKE BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AND, DEALERSHIP KNEW OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO OTHER CUSTOMERS. THIS IS DEFECTIVE DESIGN. ONE PERSO
2016 BMW R1200 GS questions
Does the 2016 BMW R1200 GS have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 BMW R1200 GS: Rear reflectors may be blocked by luggage cases, raising crash risk; Front fork tube can separate, risking loss of control. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW R1200 GS?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Suspension (5), Engine (3), Electrical System (2).
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 BMW R1200 GS has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.