2003 Bmw K1200 R: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
27,528 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10525972 · 2013-07-21 (July 21, 2013)
NOTED A GRINDING FEEL IN THE MOTORCYCLE DURING A RIDE. RETURNED HOME AND FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE ONTO THE REAR BRAKE (WHICH NO LONGER WORKED) AND THE REAR TIRE, WHICH BEGAN TO SLIP WHILE CORNERING. THE LEAK IS A SIGN OF A SEAL FAILURE CAUSED BY THE REAR DRIVE BEARINGS SELF-DESTRUCTING. THESE FAILURES ARE COMMON IN BMWS OF THIS ERA, BOTH MY RS AS WELL AS THE LT AND RT MODELS. BMW KNOWS WELL THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND NEEDS TO BE MADE TO STEP UP AND DO THE REPAIRS, WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,947 miles reported. Look up ODI 10525972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561039 · 2014-01-22 (January 22, 2014)
RIDING ON FREEWAY ABS LIGHTS START FLASHING PULL OVER AND TRY TO STOP, NO POWER ASSIST BRAKE LEVER HARD AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP. FOUND FLUID WAS LOW ON REAR AND LATER FOUND ABS UNIT TO HAVE LEAK. CONTACTED BMW WAS TOLD BECAUSE BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN TOLD IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,109 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561039 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 642.9%ODI 10480052 · 16,000 miI RODE BIKE TO WORK AND PARKED IT ON SIDE STAND. AFTER WORK I NOTED A WET SPOT UNDER BIKE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF IT WAS OIL OR GAS. ON THE RIDE HOME I NOTED A PETROLEUM SMELL WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS. I PARKED THE BIKE IN THE GARAGE ON ITS SIDE STAND AND GASOLINE STARTED LEAKING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BIKE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND RODE IT OVER. UPON PARKING THE BIKE GAS BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BIKE CONFIRMING A GAS LEAK ORIGINATING IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL INJECTOR/DELIVERY SYSTEM. PARTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND IT IS S… | 266.7%ODI 10462758 · 4,652 miFUEL GAUGE READ THAT I HAD FUEL AND I WAS EMPTY. MOTORCYCLE STALLED LOST POWER WHILE OVERTAKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!! -FAULTY FUEL TANK SENDER-2ND TIME IT FAILED!! *TT | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 150.0%ODI 10525972 · 34,947 miNOTED A GRINDING FEEL IN THE MOTORCYCLE DURING A RIDE. RETURNED HOME AND FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE ONTO THE REAR BRAKE (WHICH NO LONGER WORKED) AND THE REAR TIRE, WHICH BEGAN TO SLIP WHILE CORNERING. THE LEAK IS A SIGN OF A SEAL FAILURE CAUSED BY THE REAR DRIVE BEARINGS SELF-DESTRUCTING. THESE FAILURES ARE COMMON IN BMWS OF THIS ERA, BOTH MY RS AS WELL AS THE LT AND RT MODELS. BMW KNOWS WELL THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND NEEDS TO BE MADE TO STEP UP AND DO THE REPAIRS, WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP. *TR | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 321.4%ODI 10419846 · 300 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW K1200R. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTS OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THIS FAILURE OCCURS IN SECOND GEAR, BUT THEN THE FAILURE WILL PROGRESS TO INCLUDE THIRD AND FORTH GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THE RODS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE BENT AND THAT CAUSES THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT THERE IS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. | 133.3%ODI 10460182 · 29,853 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 1200R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,853. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 10262860 · 19,893 miWHILE DEMONSTRATING THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON MOTORCYCLES FOR A NUMBER OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY INSTRUCTORS (IN A PARKING LOT,) I HAD RIDDEN WITHIN 5 MINUTES A HANDFUL OF SUCCESSFUL ABS DEMO RUNS. I WAS STARTING AT ONE SIDE OF THE LOT, GETTING UP TO 30-40 MPH, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH ENOUGH FORCE FOR THE ABS TO ACTIVATE. DURING THE DEMONSTRATION, AFTER APPROXIMATELY HALF OF A DOZEN SUCCESSFUL RUNS, I DID THE EXACT SAME THING EXCEPT THE ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONT TIRE SKID AND A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH. THERE WAS NO INDIC… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10524509 · 22,900 miTHERE ARE SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE FLANGE WHERE FUEL LINE HAS A CONNECTION. THESE CRACKS ARE CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE MOTOR AND ALTERNATOR CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. FUEL ALSO POOLS IN AREAS WITH SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS WHERE FUEL WASN'T MEANT TO BE STORED. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE THAT MOST LIKELY WOULD LEAD TO SEVERE BODILY HARM OR DEATH! IT APPEARS BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ALSO AS THEY HAVE UPDATED THIS PART AS WELL BUT HAVEN'T ISSUED A RECALL YET EVEN THOUGH ITS UNDER INVESTIGATION. ALL EVIDENCE SHOWS THA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10439842 · 16,728 miWHILE RIDING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL SMELL WAS DETECTED. WHILE STOPPING TO INVESTIGATE, THE REAR TIRE LOCKED UP, BUT A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. I FOUND A LARGE VOLUME OF FUEL SPRAYING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE FUEL CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE ALTERNATOR, THE HOT EXHAUST, AND THE REAR TIRE. BY THE TIME THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF TO TURN OFF THE FUEL PUMP, MY PANTS AND BOOTS HAD BEEN SATURATED WITH FUEL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLER FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE INJECTOR SUPPLY LINE HAD CR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10210805 · 50,000 miREAR DRIVE NOW LOOSE. HASN'T FAILED, YET. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 150.0%ODI 10561039 · 20,109 miRIDING ON FREEWAY ABS LIGHTS START FLASHING PULL OVER AND TRY TO STOP, NO POWER ASSIST BRAKE LEVER HARD AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP. FOUND FLUID WAS LOW ON REAR AND LATER FOUND ABS UNIT TO HAVE LEAK. CONTACTED BMW WAS TOLD BECAUSE BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN TOLD IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. *TR | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 10460822 · 28,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW K1200 R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKES THEN RELEASED MOMENTARILY WHILE THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD BEFORE THE MANUAL BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO DRAIN ALL BRAKING FLUID FROM THE MANUAL BRAKES AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT TH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 34,947 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10525972 · 34,947 miNOTED A GRINDING FEEL IN THE MOTORCYCLE DURING A RIDE. RETURNED HOME AND FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE ONTO THE REAR BRAKE (WHICH NO LONGER WORKED) AND THE REAR TIRE, WHICH BEGAN TO SLIP WHILE CORNERING. THE LEAK IS A SIGN OF A SEAL FAILURE CAUSED BY THE REAR DRIVE BEARINGS SELF-DESTRUCTING. THESE FAILURES ARE COMMON IN BMWS OF THIS ERA, BOTH MY RS AS WELL AS THE LT AND RT MODELS. BMW KNOWS WELL THIS IS A PROBLEM, AND NEEDS TO BE MADE TO STEP UP AND DO THE REPAIRS, WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP. *TR |
| Service Brakes | Too few reports for a range | 20,109 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10561039 · 20,109 miRIDING ON FREEWAY ABS LIGHTS START FLASHING PULL OVER AND TRY TO STOP, NO POWER ASSIST BRAKE LEVER HARD AND BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP. FOUND FLUID WAS LOW ON REAR AND LATER FOUND ABS UNIT TO HAVE LEAK. CONTACTED BMW WAS TOLD BECAUSE BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN TOLD IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Power Train | Service Brakes |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | — | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.