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Bmw

2011 Bmw R 1200 GS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw R 1200 GS has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is fuel system problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: recall work was done in 2014. new part failed 2020 and bmw says only 2 year warranty on recall part. that's according to bmw serivice as well as bmw of western oregon. the fuel leaks onto the engine and exhaust. fire and life hazard!!!! failure leaks fuel on engine and exhaust. *tr.

6

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints
50%
  • RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014. NEW PART FAILED 2020 AND BMW SAYS ONLY 2 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL PART. THAT'S ACCORDING TO BMW SERIVICE AS WELL AS BMW OF WESTERN OREGON. THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. FIRE AND LIFE HAZARD!!!! FAILURE LEAKS FUEL ON ENGINE AND EXHAUST. *TR
  • Found fuel vapor to be strongly smelled while at a stop light. Upon arrival at home when turning the motorcycle around there were drips coming from the right side of the motorcycle (more specifically the fuel tank). After removing the faring, there was a collection of fuel sitting on top of the fuel
  • Fuel pump flange failure resulting in leaking fuel while I was riding the bike. It is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because the bike could have caught fire while riding and also potentially could have caused me to crash. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a d
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014. NEW PART FAILED 2020 AND BMW SAYS ONLY 2 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL PART. THAT'S ACCORDING TO BMW SERIVICE AS WELL AS BMW OF WESTERN OREGON. THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. FIRE AND LIFE HAZARD!!!! FAILURE LEAKS FUEL ON ENGINE AND EXHAUST. *TR

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

1 complaints
17%
  • THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT EQUIPPED, NON-SERVICEABLE, REAR SHOCK FAILED AT ONLY 15,500 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $2000. I TAKE THE POSITION THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA'S EXPECTATION THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE FAILURE OF SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS AND 15,
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT EQUIPPED, NON-SERVICEABLE, REAR SHOCK FAILED AT ONLY 15,500 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $2000. I TAKE THE POSITION THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA'S EXPECTATION THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE FAILURE OF SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS AND 15,

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

1 complaints
17%
  • First reported front brake failure to BMW Motorcycle dealer in Chattanooga TN in fall of 2019. Lever went to grip and had to be pumped several times to engage. Dealer could not replicate problem or find anything wrong. June 2022, experienced rear brake failure though several pumps would recover syst
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

First reported front brake failure to BMW Motorcycle dealer in Chattanooga TN in fall of 2019. Lever went to grip and had to be pumped several times to engage. Dealer could not replicate problem or find anything wrong. June 2022, experienced rear brake failure though several pumps would recover syst

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

1 complaints
17%
  • While under hard acceleration to pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway, the engine power suddenly cut out completely that created a dangerous situation and suddenly put me at risk for a collision. Fortunately, the vehicle I was passing noticed I had a malfunction and reduced speed allowing me to ret
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

While under hard acceleration to pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway, the engine power suddenly cut out completely that created a dangerous situation and suddenly put me at risk for a collision. Fortunately, the vehicle I was passing noticed I had a malfunction and reduced speed allowing me to ret

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • FUEL SYSTEM: RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014. NEW PART FAILED 2020 AND BMW SAYS ONLY 2 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL PART. THAT'S ACCORDING TO BMW SERIVICE AS WELL AS BMW OF WESTERN OREGON. THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST. FIRE AND LIFE HAZARD!!!! FAILURE LEAKS FUEL ON ENGINE AND EXHAUST. *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SUSPENSION: THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT EQUIPPED, NON-SERVICEABLE, REAR SHOCK FAILED AT ONLY 15,500 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT IS $2000. I TAKE THE POSITION THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA'S EXPECTATION THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE FAILURE OF SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS AND 15,

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: First reported front brake failure to BMW Motorcycle dealer in Chattanooga TN in fall of 2019. Lever went to grip and had to be pumped several times to engage. Dealer could not replicate problem or find anything wrong. June 2022, experienced rear brake failure though several pumps would recover syst

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: While under hard acceleration to pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway, the engine power suddenly cut out completely that created a dangerous situation and suddenly put me at risk for a collision. Fortunately, the vehicle I was passing noticed I had a malfunction and reduced speed allowing me to ret

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Bmw R 1200 GS — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

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