
2015 Bmw R1200 GS
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2015 Bmw R1200 GS has 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: rear brake requires more and more travel untill it hit the stop..no rear brake. bleeding brake solves for a month or two, then cycle begins again. bmw says bleed brakes every 2 years, i have to do it at least every oil change (6000 miles). dealer is aware of problem, has no solution.
14
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
BRAKES
4 complaints- • REAR BRAKE REQUIRES MORE AND MORE TRAVEL UNTILL IT HIT THE STOP..NO REAR BRAKE. BLEEDING BRAKE SOLVES FOR A MONTH OR TWO, THEN CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. BMW SAYS BLEED BRAKES EVERY 2 YEARS, I HAVE TO DO IT AT LEAST EVERY OIL CHANGE (6000 MILES). DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, HAS NO SOLUTION
- • Rear brake pedal gets soft and braking performance is lost. Feels like air is getting into the system. Bleeding the brake fixes the problem, but it comes back after a few thousand miles. Seems this isn't an isolated icindent based on forum information: https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/bmw-r1200gs
- • While riding the 1200GS yesterday, the rear brake calliper somehow came off! Has anyone encountered such a problem before. After the caliper came off, it got stuck in the wheel spokes and completely shattered the spokes and wheels. I was very lucky not sure how the wheels did not completely jam or
“REAR BRAKE REQUIRES MORE AND MORE TRAVEL UNTILL IT HIT THE STOP..NO REAR BRAKE. BLEEDING BRAKE SOLVES FOR A MONTH OR TWO, THEN CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. BMW SAYS BLEED BRAKES EVERY 2 YEARS, I HAVE TO DO IT AT LEAST EVERY OIL CHANGE (6000 MILES). DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, HAS NO SOLUTION”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SUSPENSION
3 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V438000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER
- • BMW MOTORCYCLE RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-438 - FRONT FORK. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN AUGUST 2017 AND SENT THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WARRANTY/RECALL REPAIR CONDUCTED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN AT MORTON'S BMW IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA SINCE 09 SEPTEMBER AND BMW HAS STILL NOT SENT THE
- • CONTROL BUTTONS ON LEFT HANDLEBAR FAILING AFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL, SUSPENSION SETTINGS, AND RIDE MODE WHICH AFFECTS ENGINE PERFORMANCE. BUTTON FAILURES OCCUR JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS IN OPERATION AND SUSPENSION AND ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V438000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SPEED CONTROL
2 complaints- • CRUISE CONTROL SAFETY FEATURES DO NOT WORK AS REQUIRED. WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE CLUTCH IS OPERATED TO DOWNSHIFT, THE CRUISE CONTROL REMAINS ENGAGED. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RACE AND, IF RIDER THEN RELEASES THE CLUTCH, IT CAN PROPEL MOTORCYCLE FORWARD IN A DANGEROUS A
- • CONTROL BUTTONS ON LEFT HANDLEBAR FAILING AFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL, SUSPENSION SETTINGS, AND RIDE MODE WHICH AFFECTS ENGINE PERFORMANCE. BUTTON FAILURES OCCUR JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS IN OPERATION AND SUSPENSION AND ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE OPERATIONAL.
“CRUISE CONTROL SAFETY FEATURES DO NOT WORK AS REQUIRED. WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE CLUTCH IS OPERATED TO DOWNSHIFT, THE CRUISE CONTROL REMAINS ENGAGED. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RACE AND, IF RIDER THEN RELEASES THE CLUTCH, IT CAN PROPEL MOTORCYCLE FORWARD IN A DANGEROUS A”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
1 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A R
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A R”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
1 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A R
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A R”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 14 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: REAR BRAKE REQUIRES MORE AND MORE TRAVEL UNTILL IT HIT THE STOP..NO REAR BRAKE. BLEEDING BRAKE SOLVES FOR A MONTH OR TWO, THEN CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. BMW SAYS BLEED BRAKES EVERY 2 YEARS, I HAVE TO DO IT AT LEAST EVERY OIL CHANGE (6000 MILES). DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, HAS NO SOLUTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V438000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL SAFETY FEATURES DO NOT WORK AS REQUIRED. WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE CLUTCH IS OPERATED TO DOWNSHIFT, THE CRUISE CONTROL REMAINS ENGAGED. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RACE AND, IF RIDER THEN RELEASES THE CLUTCH, IT CAN PROPEL MOTORCYCLE FORWARD IN A DANGEROUS A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A R
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw R1200 GS — Year Comparison
How does 2015 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2015 Bmw R1200 GS