← New search

2004 BMW R1200 Cl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all R1200 Cl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 6 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 →
  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

12 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

Motorcycle caught fire due to a defective fuel distributor line (part #135 376 58911). This happened on our property and the bike would have burned out completely if it had happened on the road. Only because there was a garden hose not too far from where the bike caught fire, I was able to extinguish it in time.

NHTSA ODI #11518865

12,068 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS AND OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLE MODELS WITH THE "QUICK DISCONNECT" FITTINGS ON FUEL LINES BEING MADE OF PLASTIC AND FAILING CAUSING OR POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE. ON THIS DATE ONE OF MY FITTINGS FAILED CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BURNED OFF UNDER HIGH HEAT MAYBE CAUSING FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET S…

Read full complaint

KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS AND OTHER BMW MOTORCYCLE MODELS WITH THE "QUICK DISCONNECT" FITTINGS ON FUEL LINES BEING MADE OF PLASTIC AND FAILING CAUSING OR POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE. ON THIS DATE ONE OF MY FITTINGS FAILED CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND BURNED OFF UNDER HIGH HEAT MAYBE CAUSING FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET SOMETHING UNDER LEAK TO CATCH FUEL BEFORE IT ALL LEAKED OUT ON TO EXHAUST. ALL MODELS OF BMW WITH THESE POOR DESIGN PLASTIC FITTINGS ON THE FUEL SYSTEM {{MUST}} BE REPLACED! THIS NEEDS TO BE REQUIRED ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #11118659

14,100 miles · Feb 17, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KICKSTAND, USED TO MOUNT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BENT AND DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KICKSTAND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT A REPLACEMENT ALONE WOULD NOT SOLVE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KICKSTAND, USED TO MOUNT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BENT AND DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KICKSTAND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT A REPLACEMENT ALONE WOULD NOT SOLVE THE FAILURE, STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL FOR THE STAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,100.

NHTSA ODI #10836684

31,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

MY BIKE WAS SPUTTERING & BACKFIRING, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM" HE TOLD ME IT WAS "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL BIKE, EVEN WITH THE LOW MILEAGE" I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE BIKE, IF I HAD KNOW ABOUT THIS COMMON FAILURE I WOULD HAVE NOT BOUGHT IT. TH…

Read full complaint

MY BIKE WAS SPUTTERING & BACKFIRING, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM" HE TOLD ME IT WAS "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL BIKE, EVEN WITH THE LOW MILEAGE" I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE BIKE, IF I HAD KNOW ABOUT THIS COMMON FAILURE I WOULD HAVE NOT BOUGHT IT. THEY WANT $1800 TO REPAIR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505191

4,200 miles · Jan 23, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BIKE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL CONNECTOR WAS FRACTURED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SUBSTANCE ON THE GROUND NEAR THE MOTORCYCLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BIKE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL CONNECTOR WAS FRACTURED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BECAUSE OF THE ORIGINAL QUICK DISCONNECTORS MADE OF PLASTIC. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 02/06/13 UPDATED 11/04/13

NHTSA ODI #10494431

11,784 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,784.

NHTSA ODI #10445841

17,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINE, CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM FROM THE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINE, CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM FROM THE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED THAT THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10405492

13,859 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINE COUPLING ON MY 2004 BMW R1200CLC MOTORCYCLE BROKE SPILLING GASOLINE ON THE EXHUAST, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REAR DISC BRAKE WHILE RIDING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN GOOD WEATHER. THE BIKE STOPPED RUNNING, LEAVING ME TO NEGOTIATE A 825 LB. MOTORCYCLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER AND A GASOLINE SOAKED…

Read full complaint

THE QUICK CONNECT FUEL LINE COUPLING ON MY 2004 BMW R1200CLC MOTORCYCLE BROKE SPILLING GASOLINE ON THE EXHUAST, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REAR DISC BRAKE WHILE RIDING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN GOOD WEATHER. THE BIKE STOPPED RUNNING, LEAVING ME TO NEGOTIATE A 825 LB. MOTORCYCLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER AND A GASOLINE SOAKED REAR DISC BRAKE. 40 YEARS OF CYCLING EXPERIENCE SAVED ME FROM WHAT WAS A DIRE AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THERE WAS A FACTORY RECALL TO REPLACE THE O-RINGS ON THIS COUPLING, WHICH I DID. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER FROM WHICH I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY INFORMED ME THAT BMW HAD REPLACED THIS PLASTIC PART WITH A METAL PART IN THEIR REPLACEMENT PARTS INVENTORY. THIS PART RETAILS FOR $31.50 AND IS ONLY FOR SALE. IT IS ALSO ONLY HALF OF THE COUPLING, THE OTHER HALF STILL ONLY AVILABLE IN PLASTIC. THERE ARE TWO OF THESE COUPLINGS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL 2004 BMWS, WITH THIS ESSENTIAL PART FAILING OFTEN. I REPAIRED THE FUEL LINE WITH A BRASS FUEL LINE FITTING. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM EVIDENCED BY THE CHANGE IN THE MATERIAL THAT THIS PART NOW ONLY AVAILABLE IN. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT ISSUED BY BMW? I STILL HAVE THE FAILED PART. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE ON THIS SAME VEHICLE WHEN A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP BLOWS THE FUSE AND THE FUEL PUMP STOPS. THIS WAS ALSO DESCRIBED TO ME AS AN INHERENT PROBLEM IN THIS MOTORCYCLE DUE TO THE WIRING INSULATION DETERIORATING AND CRACKING. THIS INFORMATION WAS PASSED ON TO ME BY THE DEALER SERVICE REP WHO SAID HE HAD SEEN THAT DEFECT OFTEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO LEFT ME RIDING A SUDDENLY DEAD MOTOCCYLE SEVERAL TIMES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WHEN I CONTACTED BMW ABOUT FIXING THE WIRING HARNESS, THEY WERE UNRESPONSIVE TO MY COMPLAINT AND DISMISSIVE TO ME PERSONALLY. I HAVE THE E-MAILS. THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS 13,859 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT.

NHTSA ODI #10321772

8,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1200 CL MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #10275618

37,195 miles · Jul 5, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL CONNECTOR BROKE. AT 75 MPH THE BMW QUICKLY DISCONNECTED, BROKE, AND THE 45 PSI OF FUEL SPRAYED ALL OVER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTORCYCLE, MY LEG AND THE EXHAUST. IT WAS THIS BMW PART # 13317659119 THAT BROKE. *AK POSSIBLE FIRE, BURNS, DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #10195434

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.