2003 BMW R 1200 C recalls & problems
The 2003 BMW R 1200 C has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 13 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (4 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 BMW R 1200 C.
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 | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension Front | 4 | — |
| Power train Driveline › Center support bearing | 4 | 29,500 mi |
| Structure Frame and members › Underbody shields | 2 | — |
| Steering Linkages | 2 | — |
| Wheels Rim | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | — |
| Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices | 1 | — |
| Tires Valve | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Jul 19, 2009 · 66,000 milesPower train
FINAL DRIVE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NO OIL LEAKED BEFORE FAILURE. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *KB *TR - Aug 12, 2007 · 29,500 milesPower train
I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549. THE LEAK OF OIL CAUSED THE SIDE OF THE TIRE TO BECOME FOULED,AND THE BRAKE WAS HEAVILY COATED AS WELL. I STOPPED AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE A NEW SET OF BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED, AS WELL AS THE REAR BEARING AND SEALS. *KB - Jul 2, 2007 · 24,000 milesPower train
AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FINAL DRIVES IN OUR R1200C'S AND R1200CL'S IS THE DREADED FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. MOST OF US WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS, FIRST NOTICED EITHER A LATERAL WOBBLE OF THE REAR WHEEL, DROPS OF FLUID ON OUR REAR WHEELS, AND/OR FLUID STAINS SPRAYED RADIALLY ON THE REAR TIRE. WELL, I TOOK A 600 MILE JAUNT LAST WEEKEND TO MAKE SURE THE BIKE COULD HANDLE THE NEW TOURING BAGS AND THE T-BAG I BOUGHT. THE TRIP WAS GREAT - NEAR QUINCY, CA. WHEN I GOT HOME, I NOTICED SOME OIL SPOTS ON THE RIGHT REAR BAG, THE HORROR OF HORRORS, RADIAL STRIPES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR TIRE. I LOOKED UP UNDER THE FINAL DRIVE AND WHAT DO I SEE? - YES, A BIG OLD DROP OF OIL! GROAN, AND I'M… - Aug 21, 2009 · 20,624 milesFuel system, gasoline
WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE FUEL STARTING SPRAYING FROM A FUEL LINE DISCONNECT FITTING. THE MALE PORTION BROKE. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND NOTICED FUEL JUST GUSHING OUT OF ONE OF THE SIDE PANELS AND SPLASHING ON THE EXHAUST. MY ENTIRE TANK (APROX 2 GALLONS) EMPTIED IN A MATTER OF 1-2 MINUTES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BUT FROM RESEARCH ON ONLINE FORUMS WWW.CHROMEHEADS.COM IT IS VERY COMMON. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE. THE FUEL WAS DRIPPING DIRECTLY ONTO MY HOT EXHAUST PIPES, LEGS AND BOOTS. IF THE FUEL HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME SERIOUS INJURY. BMW NOW SELLS METAL QUICK CONNECTS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND ALL THESE PLASTIC… - Jul 23, 2005 · 5,530 miles · crash · 1 injuryTires › Valve
TRAVELING HOME ON TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. I HAD TRAVELED 40 MILES FROM MY STARTING POINT PRIOR TO EVENT. HEARD A LOUD POP AND AIR ESCAPING FROM REAR TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE MOTORCYCLE MOVED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND FLIPPED. I TRIED TO CONTROL BUT THE BIKE FLIPPED ME OFF AND I SUSTAINED INJURIES. I TALKED WITH THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY FOUND NO HOLES IN THE TIRE ALTHOUGH FELT THE VALVE STEM FAILED DUE TO RUBBER FAILURE. THIS MOTORCYCLE IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD HAVE OTHERS FAILED SO EARLY? - Feb 1, 2003 · 1 milesSteering › Linkages
BMW MOTORCYCLE MODEL R1200CLC. THE MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. BMW'S RESPONSE IS NO FAULT FOUND OPPERATING AS DESIGNED. - Apr 24, 2003 · 100 milesStructure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
THE BMW "CRUISER" FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITS A LARGE PROPORTION OF UNITS THAT HAVE A "PULL TO THE RIGHT" ISSUE, IN VARYING DEGREES. THIS IS EXTREMLY DANGEROUS ON A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE. A REVIEW OF WEB SITES THAT SUPPORT THESE VEHICLES ALL REPORT THE SAME ISSUE OCCURING. TO DATE, BMW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I AM CONTACTING YOU AS BMW HAS DISCONTINUED THE MODEL THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THAT NO FIX WILL BE FORTHCOMING. OWNERS HAVE DONE VARIOUS QUICK FIXES, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY BMW. CURRENTLY MY BIKE WITH 6,000 MILES IS SHOWING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR INDICATIVE OF A "PTTR" (PULL TO THE RIGHT) ISSUE. THIS PTTR ALSO HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE FATIGUE AMONG SOME RIDERS, ALL… - Jan 27, 2004Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices
REARVIEW MIRROR DESIGN ON THE BMW R1200 CLC MOTORCYCLE PROVIDES LITTTLE OR NO VIEW TO THE SIDES AND POOR VIEW TO THE REAR.THIS PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY BAD AT NIGHT.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- PE03054 · opened Dec 1, 2003 · closed Jan 23, 2004 · led to recall 04V028000FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A RECALL (04V-028).AN INFORMATION REQUEST(IR)RESPONSE WAS NOT RECEIVED. UPON BMW'S RECEIPT OF THE IR, AND AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH ODI, BMWDETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING CONTAINED WITHIN THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED.FURTHER, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN ALSO RESULT IN A SMALL FUEL LEAK.DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, ADJUST ALL CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS.ALSO ALL FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS WILL BE INSPECTED.IF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE QUICK-DISCONNECT O-RING WILL BE REPLACED.IF DAMAGED, THE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED.OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004.