On certain motorcycles, the o-ring in fuel line quick-disconnect coupling could become damaged and lead to a fuel leak. There is also a problem involving crimp-type hose clamps, which can result in a fuel leak.
2001-2004 · 4 model years
BMW K Series Problems by year
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the BMW K Series across 4 model years, and it has 1 recall. The 2003 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (6). The most reported problem area is the fuel system, followed by the transmission & drivetrain.
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
K Series complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common K Series problems
BMW K Series recalls 1
Latest K Series complaints
Approximately on Nov 25, 2024, my BMW K1200RS started on fire. I backed out of my garage and driveway onto the street. I started it up, and within a couple minutes it began smoking. I turned if off immediately and looked under the front of the bike and saw flames. I ran into my house and grabbed my fire extinguisher, and put out the flames. I had help pushing it back into my garage. About a week later I took off the left side panel and reviewed the damage. I put in a claim to my insurance. The agent that contacted...
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me acted as if it was my fault and did this on purpose without saying so. I would agree to having the company take it away. I did not believe I would ever see it again if I complied. I canceled my claim and decided to repair it myself. It tool me 4 months to get parts and repair it. It was a very difficult job. I took many photos to document the damage. I contacted BMW about it because I discovered that others that owned the same model or very similar model with the same engine also had the same problem with about the same mileage and same year. I sent photos to a BMW representative that had its team review the photos. I did this because I think that it needed to know and investigate. After a month later, the representative contacted me, and told me they did not determine anything. I was told that since I repaired the bike, they could not make any determination. My photos were enough to show the cause, which I still have. My conclusion is that one of the fuel injectors had cracked somewhere and the voltage connection to the injector started the fire. Even though I was able to save the bike, the flames had burned many parts including the wiring harness on the left side. This was not a maintenance issue. I did my own oil changes, etc. I owned this for over 5 years, and was the 3rd owner. I believe that the injector was faulty. This should be investigated. I have photos to prove my claim. This could have caused an explosion.
The brake failure light lit up and I lost power brakes and even at 10 mph it was extremely difficult to stop the bike. The module controls the servo linkage also. This is a know problem with bmw k bikes with abs and bmw refuses to recall the bikes. I believe it is a serious safety problem and riders cannot get any help from bmw. It is a 2500 dollar repair and it happens to many bikes at around 20,000 miles. No warning. We need help with putting some pressure on bmw. If you want verification call any bmw motorcycle...
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dealer. There are lots of posts on i-bmw forums as well. I look forward to your looking into this matter thank you [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
While driving at 60 mph on the highway, a noise started coming from the drive train of the bike. At the same time there was a small vibration coming from the same location. It could be felt in the seat and footpegs. As I was only a few miles from home I checked everything which could be checked without taking anything apart. Everything thing was fine including the wheels and tires. All seemed to be tight. There was no fluid leaks coming from the bike. As I found this unsua,l and was aware of the driveline problems...
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with this model bike, I decided to contact this site. I really do not want to ride the bike any further until I find the problem. The last thing I need is to have a major malfunction failure while operating the bike. I have been riding bikes since I was 16, and now I'm 63. I rode motorcycles for the manchester, nh police department, and I'm familiar with the mechanicals of these units. *Tr
Crown gear failure in the paralever final drive. *Tr
Hi, I have a bmw k1200rs and it has a fuel line quick disconnect.. This was already a recall, the number of the recall is: nhtsa campaign id number: 04v028000 natsa action number: pe03054 ok this recall was done on my bike on 6/4/2004. But the thing is the same problem is back.. I have a fine mist of gas spraying off the side of my bike only when it is running... This is a huge firebomb waiting to happen.. The fix for the recall did not fix the problem... If you go on this website, bmw forum, you will see that dozens of people are having the same problem.. Somebody will get killed from this..... Please help!!!! The bmw dealer said it was fixed and will not fix it again??? *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw k1200 rs motorcycle. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he discovered fuel spraying from the engine compartment. The contact located a recall for the failure under nhtsa campaign id number: 04v028000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was inspected for the failure under the recall by the previous owner. The manufacturer advised that they would not be able to assist because the recall...
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had already been performed. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired but the coupling was only inspected for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Questions about the BMW K Series
Which BMW K Series years have the most problems?
Which BMW K Series years have the fewest complaints?
Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2001 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other K Series years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.
What are the most common BMW K Series problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the fuel system (8), transmission & drivetrain (3), acceleration & cruise control (1) most often.
How many recalls does the BMW K Series have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall across all BMW K Series model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data