Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
825–50K
150–75K
275–100K
3100–150K
0150K+
21 reports with mileage · 0 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reports
143,740 miles · Feb 3, 2012
Power Train
I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE KENTUCKY PARKWAY I FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION AND SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I SLOWED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR TIRE I FOUND A LOT OF GEAR OIL…
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I HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON THE KENTUCKY PARKWAY I FELT A SEVERE VIBRATION AND SLIGHT WOBBLE IN THE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. I SLOWED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR TIRE I FOUND A LOT OF GEAR OIL ON THE TIRE, RIM, AND REAR DRIVE. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOSE TRACTION AND CRASH. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10446588
21,740 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS QUICK RELEASE FUEL LINES THAT ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND THEY BREAK EASILY. IF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THEY BREAK, GAS WOULD LEAK ONTO THE DRIVER AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAS QUICK RELEASE FUEL LINES THAT ARE MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND THEY BREAK EASILY. IF THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THEY BREAK, GAS WOULD LEAK ONTO THE DRIVER AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LINES, ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS PURCHASED THAT THE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21740 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21740. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 11/28/2011 *LN
NHTSA ODI #10353369
21,050 miles · Apr 1, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SMELL FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING. FUEL SPRAY ON MY RIGHT BOOT. REMOVED SIDE FAIRING, STARTED ENGINE AND NOTICED FUEL SPRAYING FROM PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTOR. REPLACED PLASTIC CONNECTOR WITH BRASS.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10263902
77,461 miles · Feb 11, 2008
Power Train
FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. LOSS OF HYPOID FLUID CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL ON MOTORCYCLE. WAS ABLE TO STAY UPRIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217729
48,000 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Power TrainCrashInjury
2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167806
18,869 miles · Aug 31, 2006
Power TrainSuspension
BMW 0703 K1200LTC MOTORCYCLE REAR END FAILED AT LESS THAN 19,000 MILES CREATING A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY. HOWEVER BY HEARING THE GEAR NOISE IN TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BIKE BEFORE THE REAR SEAL ALLOWED OIL OUT OF THE REAR END. SO IT HAD TO BE A BEARING FAILURE IN MY OPINION. AT THIS TIME NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10167135
33,320 miles · Jun 2, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 BMW K1200LTE MOTORCYCLE THAT JUST EXPERIENCED A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER PRESSURE DUE TO A CRACKED PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING ON A FUEL LINE THAT WAS UNDER PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED SPRAYING FUEL TO SOAK MY RIGHT SHOE AND RUN DOWN OVER THE HOT ENGINE. THERE WAS A BULLETIN FROM BMW TO HAVE THE QUICK DI…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 BMW K1200LTE MOTORCYCLE THAT JUST EXPERIENCED A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER PRESSURE DUE TO A CRACKED PLASTIC QUICK DISCONNECT FITTING ON A FUEL LINE THAT WAS UNDER PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED SPRAYING FUEL TO SOAK MY RIGHT SHOE AND RUN DOWN OVER THE HOT ENGINE. THERE WAS A BULLETIN FROM BMW TO HAVE THE QUICK DISCONNECTS, O-RINGS, AND CLAMPS CHECKED. I HAD THIS DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE BULLETIN HOWEVER DOESN'T PROVIDE FOR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH AN UPGRADED PART. THERE HAVE NOW BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THIS MODEL BIKE. YOU CAN GO TO THE WWW.BMWLT.COM WEBSITE FORUM AND SEARCH FOR FUEL LEAK TO GET AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE INSTANCES. ONE BIKE BURNED TO THE GROUND, BUT BMW STATES THAT IT WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING....I WONDER ABOUT THAT. THE RIDER WAS KILLED. I FEEL IT MY DUTY TO REPORT THIS AND HOPE THAT A RECALL AND REDESIGN OF THE PART CAN PREVENT ANYONE FROM DYING. A SIDE NOTE TO THIS IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VAST AMOUNT OF FUEL GETTING ON THE REAR TIRE AND CAUSING A CRASH DUE TO SLIPPAGE. RON KELLENBENZ 18123 CR 1275 TYLER, TX 75703 903 839-5132 KELLENBENZ@COX.NET. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158846
35,800 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Power Train
REAR DRIVE BEARING FAILED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10150393
15,453 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Power Train
FAILED SHIFTER ON MOTORCYCLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10095651
462 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Unknown Or Other
THE SHIFT LINKAGE BROKE ON MY 2003 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT MODEL IS K1200LT - YOUR DROP DOWN MENU BELOW DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS CHOICE!! *PH
NHTSA ODI #10030982
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP12001 · M/c Final Drive Ball Bearing Failure
Opened Jan 20, 2012 · Closed Jun 20, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition requesting that it open an investigation into model year (MY) 1998-2009 BMW KLT series motorcycles for final drive bearing failures.The petitioner asked NHTSA to issue an order that [BMW] be required to recall the affected models for inspection ofcomponent wear and proper assembly of the [final drive] bearing.ODI has reviewed the petition, assessed relevant consumer complaints, and gathered other data in the course of investigating this issue.Based on its review, ODI does not believe that a safety-related defect trend currently exists for final drive bearing failures in the subject motorcycles.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.However, the agency will continue to monitor information related to this issue and will take further action if warranted.For detailed information, see the Federal Register notice: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-13779.
2003 BMW K1200LT Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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