2001 BMW K1200LT problems & reliability
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW K1200LT. 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.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 12 | 48% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 32% |
| Suspension | 3 | 12% |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 4% |
| Visibility | 1 | 4% |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% |
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
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw k1200 lt motorcycle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, he felt a slight vibration. After pulling over her noticed that there was an oil leak on the rear tire. The motorcycle was taken to a dealer where they advised him that the bearings had failed and caused…”
Power Train · filed Mar 13, 2012
“I had the same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and > currently being investigated under campaign dp12001. Gear oil leaked. This failure happened 850 miles from home and had to be towed home. *kb”
Power Train · filed Feb 3, 2012
“2001 bmw k1200lt. Request for investigation into bmw motorcycle final drive failures *tgw the consumer stated when he attempted to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop, he discovered the rear brakes did not work, which forced him to use the front brakes only, which extended his stopping distance. He was able to bring…”
Power Train · filed Dec 6, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- M/C final drive ball bearing failure
Defect Petition DP12001 · opened Jan 20, 2012 · closed Jun 20, 2013
- FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03054 · opened Dec 1, 2003 · closed Jan 23, 2004 · led to recall 04V028000
Technical service bulletins
6 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW K1200LT.
With the introduction of the new watertight fuse box a change was made from large type fuses to mini fuses. While the correct fuses are installed in the fuse box, the older, large type fuses were supplied in the…
MC611104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 24, 2021
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: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. *rm
SIB-63-02-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2010
Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to…
SIB-16-02-09 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2009
Bmw motorcycle: wheel speed dependent, clearly audible clanking noise occurs when braking to adjust speed. E series (k25; k25/02; k25/03; k25/11; k25/12; k25/hp; k26; k27; k28; k29; k29/hp; k40; k41; k43; k43/hv; k44…
SB-17927831-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2009
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…
SB-00-021-07 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2007
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
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2001 BMW K1200LT in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
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 2001 BMW K1200LT?
- · 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.