AI Damage2005 BMW R1200 GS: common problems
Owners of the 2005 BMW R1200 GS filed 51 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 51
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 31% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 10% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 16 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 13 complaints (25% of all).
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 7 complaints (14% of all).
- Structure: 5 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 51 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I experienced a 100% no brakes situation coming into a slow speed 90 degree turn on a back road. Luckily I hadn't been going to fast and was able to down shift and scrub a little speed but forced with only engine braking and a very old asphalt road covered in gravel I had to lay it down to stop from going into a 60ft+…
In the last seven years, I have ridden over 100,000 miles on six different bmw motorcycles, all purchased new. I ride year-round and have always used an electric vest to avoid hypothermia. In september, 2005 I purchased a new 2005 bmw r1200rt motorcycle.
Upon inspection, I discovered 4 of the 5 wheel mounting holes in the aluminum rear wheel flange are cracked. I have read about many people having this issue with this model vehicle. I've stopped riding until it is fixed because it could break causing an accident which could lead to injury or death.
After noticing a small amount of excessive movement in the rear wheel when riding through turns, I got home and inspected the area and found cracks in the aluminum rear wheel flange at the wheel mounting holes. After researching the issue, I discovered this is a recalled part under recall campaign 15v-141.
Leaking fuel flanged, the material is made of plastic and prone to breaking that can cause fuel to leak to the engine then igniting the fuel that will start engine fire.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, fuel had leaked from the fuel pump flange and sprayed onto the riders leg and parts of the motorcycle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired.
Failure of this part while the vehicle is being operated may cause loss of rear brake function, loss of steering ability, sudden seizure of rear wheel, and/or possible loss of rear wheel. This may lead to serious injury and even death.
Tl* the contact owns 2005 bmw r1200 gs. The contact stated that while inspecting the motorcycle, the contact discovered that there was a crack on the rear wheel flange. The motorcycle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured wheel flange. The manufacture was made aware of the failure.
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 5,293 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the R1200 GS has 16 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 51, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
- R1200 GS 20044 sources
- R1200 GS 20069 sources
- R1200 GS 200742 sources
- R1200 GS 200832 sources
- R1200 GS 200930 sources
- R1200 GS 20108 sources
- R1200 GS 20117 sources
- R1200 GS 201210 sources
- R1200 GS 201312 sources
- R1200 GS 201414 sources
- R1200 GS 201510 sources
- R1200 GS 201630 sources
- R1200 GS 201716 sources
- R1200 GS 201817 sources
- R1200 GS 201914 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW R1200 GS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes. Total complaints: 51. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (29%), smoke, burning smell, fire (18%), brake failure (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 BMW R1200 GS?
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 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 2005 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 2026-11-06.