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2020 BMW R 1250 RTProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-166 the manufacturer reports only 62% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 62%Owner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage6kService brakes, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 5, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes50
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2020 BMW R 1250 RT recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

81%repaired · 2024 Q4

Shaft: input

Recall 23V-011 · Jan 18, 2023 · 18,534 vehicles · 15,012 repaired

Risk. A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

81%repaired · 2022 Q4

Service brakes

Recall 20V-476 · Aug 13, 2020 · 9,392 vehicles · 7,607 repaired

Risk. Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2020 Q4

Power train: driveline

Recall 20V-165 · Mar 19, 2020 · 4 vehicles · 4 repaired

Risk. A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

62%repaired · 2022 Q3

Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid

Recall 20V-166 · Mar 19, 2020 · 365 vehicles · 226 repaired

Risk. Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2020 vs. every other R 1250 RT year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the R 1250 RT median. How we score

'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What R 1250 RT owners report

Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE LEAKING HAYES CALIPERS ON MY 2020 BMW R1250RT MOTORCYCLE THERE WAS A RECALL AND I DID RECEIVE A SECOND SET OF HAYES CALIPERS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. IN A MATTER OF DAYS THE REPLACEMENT RECALLED HAYES CALIPERS WERE ALSO LEAKING BMW SENT OUT TWO ENGINEERS…
Complaint 11373224 · Nov 5, 2020 · 6,600 miles
TWO VIDEOS OF MY LEAKING BRAKES AFTER GETTING THEM REPLACED FROM THE RECALL. STILL A PROBLEM AS THEIR FIX IS LEAKING LIKE THE ORIGINAL. TWO VIDEOS: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=2H3HTJT6NM4 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=INYT6SPUYYA
Complaint 11360272 · Sep 21, 2020 · 6,300 miles
SINCE DAY ONE THIS BIKE HAS HAD LEAKING FRONT BRAKES. TODAY, I GO OUT IN MY GARAGE AND SEE MY BRAKES ARE LEAKING AGAIN FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME. THIS IS BEYOND A DEALERSHIP FIX. BOTH DEALERS I'VE TAKEN THE BIKE TO (IRON HORSE BMW IN TUCSON, GOAZ IN PEORIA) HAVE BEEN GREAT IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THE…
Complaint 11360150 · Sep 21, 2020 · 6,300 miles

Own a 2020 R 1250 RT?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.