1997 Bmw K1200RS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 0 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
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
2001: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. 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 749492 · 2001-07-31 (July 31, 2001)
THE SEAL THAT HOLDS ONE QUART OF 90WT OIL FAILED AND POURED THE CONTENTS ON THE REAR TIRE. IF WE HAD NOT NOTICED THE NOISE AND STOPPED BEFORE THE OIL LEAKED OUT, WE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN INJURED IN THE RESULTING CRASH CAUSED BY THIS HORRIBLE LEAK. A MOTORCYCLE'S TIRE COVERED IN OIL IS THE MOST DANGEROUS OF SITUTATIONS POSSIBLE WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 749492 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
1 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 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10455068 · 59,000 miRECALL 14401 FROM OCT. 14, 1988. THIS VEHICLE WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2001 UNDER THIS RECALL. IT FAILED AGAIN RECENTLY AND FUEL STARTED LEAKING. THE PARTS TO DO THE REMEDY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE PER MY DEALER. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND RELATED COMPONENTS WITH A STYLE THAT BMW DEVELOPED TO SOLVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MY DEALER CALLED BMW NA SERVICE TWICE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO LONGER SUPPORT FOR SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE SAME REPLY...NO CURRENT RECALL. BMW NA IS NOT WILL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10368768 · 73,678 miWHILE RIDING ON EXPRESSWAY ENGINE QUIT AND I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FUEL WAS BEING PUMPED OUT ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND MY SHOES AND CLOTHING. ON INSPECTION FOUND A BROKEN FUEL LINE CONNECTOR ON THE HIGH PRESSURE SIDE OF THE FUEL LINE GOING FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM ON THE MOTOR. AT A LATER DATE THE LOW PRESSURE SIDE OF THE SYSTEM ALSO FAILED AND AGAIN FUEL RUNS OUT ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND ONTO CLOTHING JUST WAITING FOR A SPARK FOR IGNITION. TO ME THIS LOOKS LIKE A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT JUST WAITING FOR A PLACE TO… | 114.3%ODI 10295664 · 33,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW K-1200 RS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32000. | 422.2%ODI 10009389 · 35,400 miWHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HESITATES SEVERELY JUST ABOVE AN IDLE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENS ONLY DURING HOT WEATHER AND IS OBVIOUSLY A FUEL SCHEDULING PROBLEM ENGINEERED INTO THE VEHICLE. MANY OTHERS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***763168 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 768662REAR DRIVE UNIT BEARING AND SEAL FAILED. THIS BEARING SUPPORTS THE ENTIRE BIKE. WHEN SEAL FAILED IT DUMPED REAR DRIVE OIL ALL OVER THE REAR BRAKES AND REAR TIRE. IF I HAD BEEN IN A BUSY AREA AND COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN STOPPED AS QUICKLY AS I DID THIS COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A WRECK. DT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 316.7%ODI 10032838 · 7,600 miCOMMON REAR-END FAILURE IN BMW MOTORCYCLES. *AK |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 350.0%ODI 539968MOTORCYCLE HAD THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACED GAS TANKS DEVELOP LEAKS. ABOUT ONE GALLON PER HOUR. NO ACCIDENT, BUT CLOSE. ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE. | 00.0%No 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. |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 316.7%ODI 10511646 · 30,000 miSTARTED MY BMW K1200RS AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE. NOTICED A SPRAY EMANATING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE ABOVE THE VALVE COVE. SHUT THE BIKE DOWN AND CHECKED FOR THE LEAK. FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING WAS CRACKED ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY OUT IN A FINE MIST. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT FIRE IF THE BIKE HAD BEEN HOT. CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW MOTORCYCLES AND IS NOT LIMITED TO MY MODEL OR YEAR. BMW HAS NOT SEEN FIT TO RECALL THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES EVEN THO… |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 00.0%No 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 211.1%ODI 10185506 · 26,429 mi1;EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION - GAGE READING VS. MILEAGE DRIVEN. HEAVY GASOLINE ODOR WHEN STOPPED, SEVERE GASOLINE LEAK. 2; MECHANICAL FAILURE OF FUEL LINE QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING ON FUEL RETURN LINE - - CRACKED FITTING. 3; CARRIED OUT ROADSIDE REPAIR. REMOVED FAULTY FITTING AND REPLACED WITH STRAIGHT CONNECTOR AND CLAMPS. |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 211.1%ODI 10498032 · 13,101 miSLOWING DOWN TO STOP ABS BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. FRONT ABS STILL WORKS BUT REAR WENT OUT. TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER SERVICE TECH SAYS HAD TO REPLACE A LOT OF ABS UNITS IN THE PAST BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THIS PART IS 2332.00 PLUS LABOR. *TR |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10456109 · 52,000 mi(NOTE THAT THE INCIDENT DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE REPORTED ARE APPROXIMATE.) WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE TWO ABS WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL FLASHED ALTERNATELY AS THEY NORMALLY DO UPON ENGINE START-UP, BUT DID NOT STOP FLASHING ONCE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNDERWAY AS THEY NORMALLY SHOULD DO, WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE SERVICED, A TECHNICIAN RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED ABS MODULATOR. I WAS QUOTED $2200 FOR A REPLACE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10456019 · 45,000 miFAILURE OF THE REAR INTEGRAL ABS BRAKING ABILITIES BEING INTERMITTENT AND UNAVOIDABLE. BIKE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH THE ABS FLUSH PERFORMED EVERY TWO YEARS PER BMW SERVICE BULLETIN. PROBLEM BEGAN WITH 35,000 MILES ON THE BIKE. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension | 00.0%No 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. | 228.6%ODI 7396421. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED A APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE THE GARAGE ON LEVEL GROUND. THE SIDESTAND FOLDED AND THE MOTORCYCLE FELL OVER JUST A FEW FEET FROM THE NEAREST PERSON THAT HAD A TO JUMP AWAY NOT TO GET HIT BY AN 800+ LBS MOTORCYCLE. THIS INCIDENT PRODUCED DAMAGED TO THE CRASHBAR, FAIRING COMPONENTS AND SIDEBAG COMPONENTS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION AND MANNER AS I DO PARK MY OTHER TOURING BIKES WITHOUT THEM FALLING OVER. THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS CAREFULLY STUDIED AND THE PR… | 00.0%No 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
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.
2001: 4 complaints · 2002: 6 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | 18 | 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 | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | — |
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.