1998 BMW R1200C

2 recalls, 16 complaints - 1 TSBs

01V217000 Jun 26, 2001
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH CHROME-PLATED FRAMES. COPPER RESIDUE CAN REMAIN IN THE TAPPED HOLE WHERE THE UPPER FORK BRIDGE ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. MOISTURE CAN CAUSE CORROSION TO OCCUR BETWEEN THE COPPER RESIDUE AND THE ALUMINUM FRAME. THE STRESS OF THE CONNECTING BOLT ATTACHI... Read more
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENED, THE DYNAMIC STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE AFFECTED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REAM THE HOLE IN THE FRAME HEAD AND INSTALL A HELICOIL THREAD INSERT AND A NEW BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD ... Read more
3,342 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
97V134000 Aug 8, 1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE ADJUSTING SCREW FOR THE PRESSURE POINT OF EITHER THE BRAKE OR CLUTCH LEVERS MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHT, DUE TO GREASE CONTAMINATION OF THE THREADS.
Consequence
THE SCREW(S) CAN BACK OUT OVER TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED CAUSING A CHANGE IN THE PRESSURE POINT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE CLUTCH AND/OR FRONT BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE ADJUSTMENT SCREWS OF THE FRONT BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS FOR MOVEMENT. IF THE SCREWS ARE TIGHT, NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. IF A SCREW IS FOUND TO BE LOOSE, IT WILL BE REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED WITH NEW LOCTITE.
973 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

16 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires 5 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS May 14, 2012
Incident date: Apr 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Feb 29, 2012
Incident date: Mar 16, 2011
THE FINAL DRIVE STARTED LEAKING GEAR OIL ALL OVER MY REAR DISC BRAKE AND REAR TIRE AND RIM. IT IS UNSAFE TO RIDE LIKE THIS. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Feb 22, 2011
Incident date: Oct 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AND TRYING TO DECELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jun 4, 2004
Incident date: May 29, 2004
THE HOSE CONNECTING THE FUEL UNIT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COLLAPSED, CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOST OF POWER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT COOS BAY, OREGON WHILE I WAS ON A MULTI-DAY TRIP. I HAD TO RENT A U-HAUL TRUCK TO TRANSPORT THE BIKE TO THE PORTLAND BMW DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS May 11, 2004
Incident date: Nov 19, 2003
FUEL LEAKED FROM FUEL DISTRIBUTION SPIDER DIRECTLY ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ONTO THE REAR TIRE. DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER WHO SAID THE MOTORCYCLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME FOR THE PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX IT. UPDATED 04/19/06. *NM UPDATED 04/28/06. *NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS Jul 16, 2003
Incident date: Jul 12, 2003
I 0WN A 1998 BMW R1200C CRUISER MOTORCYCLE, I BOUGHT IT NEW. MY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WICH INCLUDES BRAKE LIGHT AND BLINKERS CREATES A CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE CAUSING THE ASSEMBLY TO EVENTUALLY CRACK IN TWO PARTS LOOSING THE LEFT BLINKER ASSEMBLY. I HAVE REPLACED THIS FAULTY PART ONCE BEFORE 2 YEARS A... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jun 25, 2003
Incident date: Mar 24, 1999
TAIL LIGHT ASSY KEEPS CRACKING ON THE UPPER LEFT BOLT, I AM ON MY 4TH TAIL LIGHT AND IT IS ALSO BROKEN. ON THE SAME ASSY THE TURN LIGHT STALKS CAN BRAKE OFF AND JUST HANG BY THE WIRES, THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE TO ME. ON THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL THE LEFT TURN LIGHT BROKE OFF AND WAS HANGING BY THE WIRE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Apr 17, 2003
Incident date: Apr 14, 1998
EXHAUST BURNED MY LEG, MY PASSENGERS LEG AND THE LEG OF OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN PASSENGERS ON MY MOTORCYCLE. *NLM
4 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS Apr 15, 2003
Incident date: Apr 18, 1998
MY BMW 1998 R1200 C, HAD OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE SEALS SINCE AT LEAST 300 MILES. THE BIKE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 1998. I COMPLAINED OF A BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE, BUT THE OWNER OF THE STORE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR BMW'S. THE TAILLIGHT BROKE ON THE BIKE AND WERE REPLACED BY BMW, BUT... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 15, 2003
Incident date: Apr 18, 1998
MY BMW 1998 R1200 C, HAD OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE SEALS SINCE AT LEAST 300 MILES. THE BIKE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 1998. I COMPLAINED OF A BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE, BUT THE OWNER OF THE STORE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR BMW'S. THE TAILLIGHT BROKE ON THE BIKE AND WERE REPLACED BY BMW, BUT... Read more
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 26, 2002
Incident date: Mar 11, 2002
LEAVING WORKPLACE, ABOUT 200 YARDS @ APPROX 35 MPH, FRONT LEFT TELESCOPE DISENGAGED AND SEPARATED FROM THE CROSSBAR MECHANISM. INSTANTLY THE HANDLEBARS TURNED RIGHT AND THE 'CYCLE COLLAPSED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE, PITCHING ME TO THE GROUND. THE CYCLE AND I SKIDDED TO A STOP, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL ... Read more
Crash 1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL Oct 25, 2001
Incident date: Nov 1, 1999
FRONT AND REAR SIGNAL LIGHTS KEEP BREAKING OFF ON BOTH SIDES UNDER NORMAL WEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Oct 25, 2000
Incident date: Oct 13, 2000
LOW IDLE/STALLING/BLUE SMOKE AT STARTUP-ORIGINAL AND BMW REPLACED MOTORCYCLE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Aug 24, 1999
Incident date: May 17, 1999
MOTORCYCLE BURSTED INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OR LESS. MOTORCYCLE INSPECTED BY DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ABS HARNESS HAD CUT INTO A WIRE WHICH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE.
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Aug 24, 1999
Incident date: May 17, 1999
MOTORCYCLE BURSTED INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OR LESS. MOTORCYCLE INSPECTED BY DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ABS HARNESS HAD CUT INTO A WIRE WHICH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE.
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 14, 1998
HOSE CONNECTED TO ONE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDERS DISLODGED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1998 BMW R1200C

1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
090000 FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
SB-00-021-07 Nov 1, 2007
090000 FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
BMW MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING ETHANOL. BMW MOTORRAD HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE USE OF SI ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 10% ETHANOL AND IMPOSES NO WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS. ETHANOL MIXTURES IN PROPORTIONS HIGHER THAN 10%

BMW R1200C - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW R1200C across all model years (1998, 2000).

4 Total Recalls
55 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
2 Reported Crashes
2 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW R1200C - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2003 0 19 View
2002 0 6 View
2001 0 4 View
2000 1 5 View
1999 1 4 View
1998 (current) 2 16

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