BestCarRank
Bmw

2012 Bmw R 1200 R

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Bmw R 1200 R has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is fuel system problems (67% of all complaints), specifically: the fuel gauge stopped working. this happened twice. the second time it led to running out of gas while under operation. the fuel strip that senses gas in the tank was replaced on both occasions. however, this kind of failure is unsafe, because running out of fuel while you are moving on a motorcycl. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

12

Total Complaints

1

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 4 of 4)

FUEL SYSTEM

8 complaints
67%
  • • THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THE SECOND TIME IT LED TO RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE UNDER OPERATION. THE FUEL STRIP THAT SENSES GAS IN THE TANK WAS REPLACED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THIS KIND OF FAILURE IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE YOU ARE MOVING ON A MOTORCYCL
  • • MOTORCYCLE RAN OUT OF GAS. FUEL GAUGE SHOWED FULL. DISPLAY SAID I HAD 226 MILES TO GO TO EMPTY. I WAS TRAVELING IN AN UNFAMILIAR HIGHWAY WITH NO SERVICES WITHIN A FIFTY MILE RANGE. THE MOTORCYCLE GAS GAUGE REMAINED AT FULL FOR THE REMAINDER 2,100 MILE OF THE TRIP TO PHOENIX FROM FLORIDA. DEAL
  • • I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND HAD BEEN IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. MY FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM HALF TANK TO EMPTY WITH THE "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT FLASHING BETWEEN. THIS HAPPENED BETWEEN GLANCES AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SINCE IT WAS A 90 DEGREE DAY AND IN STOP
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THE SECOND TIME IT LED TO RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE UNDER OPERATION. THE FUEL STRIP THAT SENSES GAS IN THE TANK WAS REPLACED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THIS KIND OF FAILURE IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE YOU ARE MOVING ON A MOTORCYCL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Bmw R 1200 R

Based on 12 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
9
30-60K
3
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP08/02/2021

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.

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.

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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Bmw R 1200 R

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw R 1200 R Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2012 R 1200 R, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 12 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THE SECOND TIME IT LED TO RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE UNDER OPERATION. THE FUEL STRIP THAT SENSES GAS IN THE TANK WAS REPLACED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THIS KIND OF FAILURE IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE YOU ARE MOVING ON A MOTORCYCL

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

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: FUEL LEAK FROM BROKEN PLASTIC "QUICK DISCONNECT" FITTING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN I WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND RAW FUEL WAS SPRAYING ONTO MY LEG AND ONTO THE CYLINDER & CYLINDER HEAD OF THE ENGINE. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A GAS S

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

  • ☐
    ENGINE: MOTORCYCLE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING ON HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. ENGINE WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT RESTART. FUEL GAUGE ON ELECTRONIC READOUT SHOWED 78 MILES UNTIL REFILL. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. PUT FUEL IN THE TANK, STARTED RIGHT UP. IN-TANK FUEL SENSOR IS FAULTY. *JS

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

  • ☐
    VISIBILITY: LEFT SIDE MIRROR GLASS FELL OUT. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LEF SIDE MIRROR GLASS FELL OUT. IT WAS HELD IN BY A FEW SMALL DABS OF SILICONE FROM THE FACTORY. ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT COURTESY OF BMW, NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. POOR DESIGN AND SHODDY WORKMANSHIP ARE THE CAUSE OF THE GLASS FALLI

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

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Bmw R 1200 R — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2013
14Below Average
2012
12Above Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
12
Recalls
1
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
14

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Bmw R 1200 R

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