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2008 BMW R1200 GS AdventureProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-471 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls7Lowest repair rate 47%Owner complaints181 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage9kFuel/propulsion system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 10, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure has problems

18 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
Fuel/propulsion system60
Fuel system, gasoline40
Service brakes30
Electrical system21
Power train20
Structure21
Engine10
Seats11
Equipment adaptive/mobility10
1 other systems10

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

7 recalls

2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure 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.

47%repaired · 2022 Q4

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 20V-471 · Aug 10, 2020 · 16,926 vehicles · 7,933 repaired

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

61%repaired · 2016 Q3

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 15V-141 · Mar 11, 2015 · 43,426 vehicles · 26,452 repaired

Risk. If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

59%repaired · 2015 Q3

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 13V-617 · Dec 12, 2013 · 50,184 vehicles · 29,775 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 10V-276 · Jun 18, 2010 · 15,532 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS GOES UNNOTICED, AND THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR RUNS EMPTY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 08V-254 · Jun 5, 2008 · 4,922 vehicles

Risk. IF FLUID LEVEL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY, THE FRONT BRAKES COULD FAIL INCREASING 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

2008 vs. every other R1200 GS Adventure 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 R1200 GS Adventure median. How we score

'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Fuel Leak - MotorycleEA13006 · closed Jan 31, 2014
    Led to recall 13V-617
  2. Fuel Leak - MotorcyclePE12036 · closed Jul 22, 2013
    No recall
In owners' words

What R1200 GS Adventure owners report

Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FUEL LEVEL SENSOR INDICATOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THIS HAPPENS ON ALL OF THESE MODELS BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL OR EVEN AN ACCEPTABLE FIX FROM BMW. WE ARE ADVISED TO USE OUR ODOMETER AND IGNORE WARNING LIGHTS ON OUR DASHBOARDS. *TR
Complaint 10585138 · Apr 27, 2014 · 6,000 miles
FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR SHOWED EMPTY AFTER REFILLING. FLASHING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. FILLED UP WITH 1/2 GALLON OF 91 OCTANE GASOLINE TO VISIBLE FULL IN TANK. THE TANK WAS NOT EMPTY, FAULTY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE/STRIP. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST WITH NO APPARENT PERMANENT FIX.…
Complaint 10560047 · Jan 15, 2014 · 12,000 miles
ARBITRARY FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. IT OCCURRED AT 2,200 MILES. OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNINHIBITED EXCEPT FOR A FALSE READING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. AFTER THE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER, THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REGARDLESS OF LEVEL. THIS RESULTS IN A…
Complaint 10552598 · Nov 17, 2013 · 2,200 miles

Own a 2008 R1200 GS Adventure?

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