Model year record

1999 BMW R 1200 C recalls & problems

The 1999 BMW R 1200 C has 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureJun 26, 2001

Frame and members

Recall 01V2170003,342 vehicles

Problem: 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 ATTACHING THE UPPER FORK TO THE FRAME COULD THEN DECREASE, LEADING TO LOOSENING, AND ULTIMATELY, BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENED, THE DYNAMIC STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE AFFECTED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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 CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainDriveline	2	1	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	1	0	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Exterior lighting
THE REAR TAIL LIGHT/ TURN LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED AND/OR MADE THE DEFECT WAS SO WIDESPREAD AND RECOGNIZED AD SUCH BY BME THAT IT PRECIPITATED BMW MAKING A " NEW AND IMPROVED " VERSION OF THE TAIL- LIGHT TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER INSTEAD IF REPLACING THUS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT FOR FREE IN RECOGNITION OF THE DEFECT BME INSTEAD WANTS APPROXIMATELY $500 JUST FOR THE PART! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND EXPLOITIVE. THE FAILURE OF A REAR TAIL-LIGHT / TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY POSES AN OBVIOUS SAFETY RISK WITH A CLEAR POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE INJURY/ FATALITY. *TR
Nov 3, 2014 · 16,000 miles
Power train › Driveline1 injury
I'VE GOT A 1999 R1200C. I RECENTLY DID SOME SERVICING ON IT WITH MY FRIEND, AND I THINK I AM EXPERIENCING THE START OF FINAL DRIVE FAILURE... WE DID VALVE ADJUSTMENTS, FUEL FILTER, BRAKE FLUIDS, AIR FILTER, OIL AND OIL FILTER, TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE FINAL DRIVE FLUID. EACH FLUID LOOKED SURPRISINGLY GOOD TO ME , EXCEPT THE FINAL DRIVE FLUID. I EXPECTED IT TO BE DARK IN COLOR, AS IT WAS OLD, BUT IT CAME OUT A GLITTERING METALLIC OOZE. I'D NEVER SEEN FINAL DRIVE FLUID BEFORE, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL UNTIL I OPENED UP THE BOTTLE OF NEW FLUID AND SAW IT WAS YELLOW/CLEAR. SINCE THEN, I'VE NOTICED THAT IF I OPEN THE THROTTLE UP WHILE CLIMBING AN INCLINE, I GET QUITE ALOT OF ENGINE REVS, BUT…
May 14, 2008 · 20,000 miles
Power train › Driveline
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, A HIGH FREQUENCY "BUZZ" WAS FELT IN THE MOTORCYCLE. AS WE WERE ON A CAUSE WAY COMING NORTH FROM KEY WEST, FL I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER TO INVESTIGATE. AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY, I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE WHEELS/TIRES ETC. NOTHING WAS NOTED. AFTER A FURTHER TWENTY MILES, WITH NO CHANGE IN THE VIBRATION, I WENT TO PULL OVER AGAIN, THIS TIME WHILE STOPPING, THE REAR BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. LOOKING AT THE REAR WHEEL, OIL WAS OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE BRAKE DISC AND THE TIRE WAS SPLATTERED WITH OIL. THE BIKE WAS PUT IN A TRUCK AND TAKEN TO MY DESTINATION, 2500 MILES AWAY. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY HOME, THE REAR WHEEL, AND FINAL DRIVE WERE REMOVED. THE FINAL DRIVE WAS…
Mar 6, 2006 · 69,103 miles
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
LEATHER HANDGRIPS ARE SLIPPERY, CONSUMER RIDES MOTORCYCLE WITH RUBBER BANDS WRAPPED AROUND THE THROTTLE, SO HIS HANDS DON'T SLIP. *SLC
Aug 26, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.