AI Damage2004 BMW R1200 CL: common problems
Owners of the 2004 BMW R1200 CL filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 8% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (50% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Motorcycle caught fire due to a defective fuel distributor line (part #[phone]1). This happened on our property and the bike would have burned out completely if it had happened on the road. Only because there was a garden hose not too far from where the bike caught fire, I was able to extinguish it in time.
Known issue with this and other bmw motorcycle models with the "quick disconnect" fittings on fuel lines being made of plastic and failing causing or possibly causing fire. On this date one of my fittings failed causing fuel to leak on to the exhaust system and burned off under high heat maybe causing fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw r1200 cl. The contact stated that the kickstand, used to mount the motorcycle was bent and did not support the weight of the motorcycle. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, who diagnosed that the kickstand needed to be replaced.
My bike was sputtering & backfiring, I brought it into the local bmw dealer who diagnosed the problem as "throttle body system" he told me it was "this happens all the time of this year and model bike, even with the low mileage" I had just purchased the bike, if I had know about this common failure I would have not…
The contact stated while driving fuel began to leak onto the exhaust pipe and the contact noticed there was smoke. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle had the same symptoms as the nhtsa campaign id number: 04v028000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) recall, but the vin was not…
I have also experienced engine failure on this same vehicle when a short in the wiring harness to the fuel pump blows the fuse and the fuel pump stops. This was also described to me as
High pressure fuel connector broke. At 75 mph the bmw quickly disconnected, broke, and the 45 psi of fuel sprayed all over the right side of the motorcycle, my leg and the exhaust. It was this bmw part # [phone] that broke. Possible fire, burns, death.
Dt: 2004 bmw r1200cl motorcycle, the frame is bending because of the weight pressure on the side stand, metal of frame of vehicle is too weak, causing the frame to bend and twist, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired, and dealer replaced the frame, the problem recurred.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the R1200 CL has 8 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 12, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW R1200 CL?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, fuel/propulsion system, structure. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (42%), engine failure or replacement (8%), fuel system, fuel smell (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 BMW R1200 CL?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 BMW R1200 CL from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.