2013 BMW R 1200 R recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
What could happen: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 R 1200 R.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V060000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Water may enter the side-stand switch preventing the motorcycle from starting or potentially shutting off the motorcycle while it is being ridden.
What could happen: An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 R 1200 R.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V065000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-831-1117.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2013 BMW R 1200 R owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (12), Electrical system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/12/2022 · Fuel system
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 c…
11/09/2021 · Fuel system
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…
07/28/2021 · Fuel system
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?
11/15/2019 · Fuel system
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.…
10/10/2016 · Fuel system
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 DANGE…
01/18/2015 · Fuel system
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…
10/21/2014 · Fuel system
LOW FUEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REPORTED 42 MILES TO EMPTY ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES LATER THE MOTORCYCLE LOST POWER WHILE ON THE ROADWAY. FUEL GAUGE STILL SHOWED ONE BAR AND 42 MILES TO GO AT THE TIME POWER WAS LOST. BMW APPARENTLY KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE DEFECTIVE FUEL STRIP DESIGN TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRE…
05/23/2014 · Electrical system
WHILE RIDING, I RECEIVED A DASH WARNING LIGHT THAT WAS I (UNEXPECTEDLY) COMPLETELY OUT OF FUEL. AT THAT POINT I DID NOT KNOW HOW MANY MILES WERE ON MY TANK, IF I HAD A FUEL LEAK, ETC AND IMMEDIATELY MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION TO VERIFY MY FUEL STATUS. THANKFULLY I WAS IN A PLACE I COULD DO THAT. TURNS OUT I HAD AMPLE FUEL AND NO VISIBLE LEAKS, HOWEVER TH…