2008 BMW K1200 GT problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW K1200 GT, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 27% |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 23% |
| Power Train | 4 | 18% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 14% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 1 | 5% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Fuel level sensor failure. Ran out of fuel while driving at highway speeds on interstate 90 eastbound in ny milepost 460.5. Fuel gauge showed 1/4 tank of fuel. No warning issued by motorcycle to rider. Bike just suddenly slowed in traffic. This is 4th time for this failure (had it repaired by bmw on aug 5, 2015)”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Jul 20, 2016
“Fuel level sensor failure. Ran out of fuel while driving at highway speeds on interstate 90 westbound near mitchell, sd. Fuel gauge showed 1/8 tank of fuel. No warning issued by motorcycle to rider. Bike just suddenly slowed in traffic. This is 3rd time for this failure.”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Jul 20, 2016
“Abs failed with no warnings, total loss of braking power. I beleive this was a significant failiure. Happend on my brothers bike as well 2 months later. Less then 30k miles and just past 3 years... Happened during ride on freeway on first use of brake. I had to pay to replace. Bmw claimed it is not significant and not…”
Service Brakes · filed Jul 8, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
23 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW K1200 GT. The 10 most recent:
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information…
B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 11, 2024
BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender â  Fuel Stripâ  equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.
MC160214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2023
There is a possibility of the "EWS" (electronic immobilizer) error message being displayed in the instrument cluster of the K 1200 GT (K44). If this occurs the engine will not start.
MC610107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 30, 2021
Manufacturing tolerances between the center stand and the main frame can result in excessive endplay of the center-stand pivot mount.
MC460807 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 30, 2021
IT is no longer necessary to place a PMP coded part order to obtain a Repair Enabling code
MC650109 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 15, 2021
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on…
B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2020
Incorrect tire pressure appears in the instrument cluster. Contamination or obstruction of the RDC sensor.
MC64010520 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 29, 2018
Map data should be stored on a 64 GB SD card. In GARMIN Express the note appears that a maximum of 32 GB is possible.
MC62133778 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2015
Bmw mc: see document search button for owner letter. Information provided regarding the warranty extension, with out mileage limitations, to 12 years due to a potential durability issue with film type fuel level sender…
SIB-16-002-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2014
Bmw: crankcase pressure diagnosis and information for all vehicles. *rm updated on 4/24/2013. *kb
SIB-11-03-08 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2013
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2008 BMW K1200 GT has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2008 BMW K1200 GT?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.