2020 Bmw R 1250 Gs problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (7) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid (1)
Safety recalls (6)
Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input 2023-01-18 · campaign 23V011000 · 18,534 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes 2020-08-13 · campaign 20V476000 · 9,392 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2020-03-19 · campaign 20E013000 · 49 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maint
Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train:driveline 2020-03-19 · campaign 20V165000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.
Risk: A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2020-03-19 · campaign 20V166000 · 365 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2020-03-12 · campaign 20V146000 · 4,026 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (14)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-08-31 · MC330423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
driveshaft maintenance schedule change
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2023-08-14 · MC160323 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2023-04-24 · SIB630122 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
led headlights were temporarily unavailable from the factory and some r 1250 gs and r 1250 gsadventure units were built with the halogen headlight in order to ensure safe use.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2023-04-24 · SIB330222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
Structure 2023-03-08 · SIB460123 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
frame and mounting parts
Showing the 6 most recent of 14 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-25 · Service Brakes“rear brake pedal goes soft over time decreasing the effectiveness and usability of the rear brake. multiple attempts at bleeding per bmw sib 34 01 21 have not corrected the issue. this is a severe safety issue as the rear brake is all but useless.…”
2023-05-31 · Service Brakes“rear brake on motorcycle does not stop the motorcycle. after three bmw dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. the same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. the only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. the bmw service department …”
2022-05-14 · Service Brakes“rear brake becomes soft and non operational after a period of 9 months. once the brake has become "soft" the rear brake fails to apply caliper pressure and will not slow or stop the rear wheel. additionally, at this point the automatic or manual hill hold also become non operational. note... wide spread problem on the majority of bmw gs 2009-2021 a…”
2021-07-16 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid · 3,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 bmw r 1250 gs. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v476000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the local dealer was made aware of the issu…”
2021-02-24 · Service Brakes · 6,000 mi“excessive wear on rear braking components (pads). after 3000 miles, pads only had 3mm of material. the is a high degree of discoloration on the brake components. issue is not attributed to user error (i.e., riding the brakes). bmw service has refused to address, stating brake components are not covered under warranty. i'm reporting this issue …”
2020-04-01 · Service Brakes · 700 mi“front brake calipers are leaking brake fluid. noticeable drops on wheel rim when parked.…”
2020-02-25 · Service Brakes · 75 mi“both front brake calipers are leaking brake fluid. observed when stationary, dripping from the bottom. also sweats of brake fluid observed at the seam (it is a two piece brake caliper, manufactured by hayes). dealer cannot resolve the issue (can't get replacement parts) and bmw customer service offered no other remedy. essentially i cannot ride a n…”
2020-02-13 · Service Brakes · 8,200 mi“both front calipers are leaking fluid. i took it to the dealer for verification and repair on nov 27 2019. i have been inquiring with them every two weeks since as to when they may be replaced with not even and estimated date. bmw motorrad customer service has advised there is nothing they can do to escalate the case to any other department to get…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.