Every 2020 BMW R 1250 GS recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 23V011000
Jan 18, 2023Power Train:Manual Transmission:Internal:Shaft:Input
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V011000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 20V146000
Dec 3, 2020Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V146000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20V476000
Aug 13, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V476000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20E013000
Mar 19, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid
- Problem
- 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 maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
- 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.
Full recall details for 20E013000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 20V166000
Mar 19, 2020Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Fluid
- Problem
- 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 (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V166000 →Power Train · NHTSA 20V165000
Mar 19, 2020Power Train:Driveline
- Problem
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V165000 →
2020 BMW R 1250 GS complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. BMW has issued at least 29 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Service Brakes7
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (18)
- Equipment (10)
- Structure (7)
- Power Train (6)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (4)
- Engine (2)
Read BMW R 1250 GS owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“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.”
2020 BMW R 1250 GSNov 25, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11701398
“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.”
2020 BMW R 1250 GSMay 31, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11524570
“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...”
2020 BMW R 1250 GSMay 14, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11464599
“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.”
2020 BMW R 1250 GSJul 16, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11425194
“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).”
2020 BMW R 1250 GSFeb 24, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11397766
Check your R 1250 GS by VIN
Not every 2020 BMW R 1250 GS is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →