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2005 BMW K1200 Lt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 17 of 19 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. 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.

3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

19 reports
20,000 miles · Mar 8, 2015
SuspensionCrashInjury

WHILE RIDING IN TO A LEFT HANDED CORNER THE FRONT RIGHT FRONT LEG BROKE STANDING THE MOTORCYCLE STRAIGHT UP AND SENDING ME AND THE BIKE INTO THE GUARDRAIL CAUSING A CRASH THAT I WAS LUCKY TO WALK AWAY FROM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692823

45,000 miles · Mar 6, 2013
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE BRAKES SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS LEFT LEG AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE BRAKES SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS LEFT LEG AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE BUT WERE UNAWARE OF CODE READING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD SEND THE INFORMATION TO GERMANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10501837

23,200 miles · May 3, 2012
Power Train

FINAL DRIVE FAILURE. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457226

62,805 miles · Feb 6, 2012
SteeringSuspension

THE UPPER THREADED PORTION OF THE SHAFT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BROKE OFF, WHICH IS THE CONNECTION POINT FROM THE LEADING LINK TO THE FRONT FORK BRIDGE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF BMW'S TELELEVER FRONT SUSPENSION. LOSS OF THIS CONNECTION POINT ALLOWS THE FRONT FORKS TO MOVE FRONT TO REAR CAUSING DANGEROUS LOSS OF STEERING C…

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THE UPPER THREADED PORTION OF THE SHAFT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BROKE OFF, WHICH IS THE CONNECTION POINT FROM THE LEADING LINK TO THE FRONT FORK BRIDGE, AN INTEGRAL PART OF BMW'S TELELEVER FRONT SUSPENSION. LOSS OF THIS CONNECTION POINT ALLOWS THE FRONT FORKS TO MOVE FRONT TO REAR CAUSING DANGEROUS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NORMAL OPERATION OF THE TELELEVER SUSPENSION EXERTS FORCES WHICH ARE LONGITUDINAL ALONG THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. THE BALL JOINT SHAFT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SIDEWAYS SHEAR FORCE, SO THE SHAFT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE METAL IN THE SHAFT MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE IN ORDER FOR THE LONGITUDINAL FORCE ALONG THE SHAFT AXIS TO HAVE BROKEN OFF THE THREADED PORTION OF THE BALL JOINT SHAFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446763

14,839 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE COUPLERS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE COUPLERS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,839.

NHTSA ODI #10437485

14,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MAJOR GAS LEAK WHILE DRIVING - SPRAYED GAS ON RIGHT LEG AND FOOT. MY PANTS LEG, SOCK, AND SHOE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH GAS. DECIDED TO HAVE THE BIKE TOWED INSTEAD OF RISKING IT REPAIR PLACE SAID IT WAS THE PLASTIC GAS CONNECTOR AND HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO ORDER A METAL ONE. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM …

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MAJOR GAS LEAK WHILE DRIVING - SPRAYED GAS ON RIGHT LEG AND FOOT. MY PANTS LEG, SOCK, AND SHOE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE COMPLETELY SOAKED WITH GAS. DECIDED TO HAVE THE BIKE TOWED INSTEAD OF RISKING IT REPAIR PLACE SAID IT WAS THE PLASTIC GAS CONNECTOR AND HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO ORDER A METAL ONE. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE CHAT ROOMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420797

91,236 miles · Nov 8, 2009
Power TrainSuspension

REAR WHEEL STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND AND SEEMED TO BE ON INSIDE OF ROTOR. THOUGHT IT WAS AN OCCLUSION IN THE CASTING BUT THE WHEEL BEARING RETAINER IN THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING WAS CONING OUT. UPON INSPECTION AT DEALER IT WAS FOUND THE BEARING HAD BEEN OBLITERATED WHEN THE BEARING MOVED FROM ITS SPOT INSIDE THE REAR HUB. DEA…

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REAR WHEEL STARTED MAKING A DRAGGING SOUND AND SEEMED TO BE ON INSIDE OF ROTOR. THOUGHT IT WAS AN OCCLUSION IN THE CASTING BUT THE WHEEL BEARING RETAINER IN THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING WAS CONING OUT. UPON INSPECTION AT DEALER IT WAS FOUND THE BEARING HAD BEEN OBLITERATED WHEN THE BEARING MOVED FROM ITS SPOT INSIDE THE REAR HUB. DEALER WILL REPLACE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291369

15,191 miles · Sep 13, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

DURING A 12,000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS ADVISED BY A BMW SERVICE ADVISOR TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTORS ON MY 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE WITH METAL FUEL LINE CONNECTORS. THE REASON WAS THAT THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S EQUIPMENT OCCASIONALLY FAILS; AND THE COST TO ME TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS WAS MORE THAN $2…

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DURING A 12,000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS ADVISED BY A BMW SERVICE ADVISOR TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTORS ON MY 2005 BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE WITH METAL FUEL LINE CONNECTORS. THE REASON WAS THAT THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S EQUIPMENT OCCASIONALLY FAILS; AND THE COST TO ME TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS WAS MORE THAN $200. I DECLINED THE PURCHASE. WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DESERT, THE CONNECTOR FAILED AND SPRAYED GASOLINE ON THE MOTORCYCLE AND ON ME. I WAS AFRAID OF FIRE AND HAD THE MOTORCYCLE HAULED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I PAID $450 TO TOW THE MOTORCYCLE AND $236.84 TO REPLACE THE FUEL QUICK RELEASE CONNECTORS. BMW IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND IS ATTEMPTING TO SELL THE CORRECTION RATHER THAN RECALLING AND REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART. I PAID TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTORS AFTER THEY FAILED. MY SAFETY WAS ENDANGERED AS A RESULT OF BMW'S ACTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283808

36,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Power Train

IN FOR 36,000 MILE SERVICE, REAR WHEEL LOOSE, HAD REAR END TORN DOWN, SMALLER BEARING RACE HAD SPUN ON SHAFT, ALL BEARINGS AND RACES APPEARED IN EXCELLENT CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS AS A LATENT DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY AS THE INNER RACE TO SHAFT IS TO BE AN INTERFERENCE FIT AND THE TAPERED ROLLER BEARING SHOWE…

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IN FOR 36,000 MILE SERVICE, REAR WHEEL LOOSE, HAD REAR END TORN DOWN, SMALLER BEARING RACE HAD SPUN ON SHAFT, ALL BEARINGS AND RACES APPEARED IN EXCELLENT CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS AS A LATENT DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY AS THE INNER RACE TO SHAFT IS TO BE AN INTERFERENCE FIT AND THE TAPERED ROLLER BEARING SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE OR LACK OF LUBRICATION. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN TO DOCUMENT CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267148

46,000 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

PLASTIC FUEL CONNECTION FAILED ON FUEL TANK OF 2005 K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263922

Official recalls

2

04V438000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 9, 2004

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AT LOWER TEMPERATURES, WIRING WITHIN THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROL UNIT MAY PRESS AGAINST THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CONTACTS COULD OPEN, INTERRUPTING THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN STALLING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ANTI-THEFT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 4, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

04V304000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Jun 23, 2004

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AN INCORRECT SEALING RING WAS MOUNTED TO THE PISTON OF THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF ONLY THE REAR BRAKE WERE APPLIED DURING RIDING, INSUFFICIENT BRAKING PRESSURE WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SLOW THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

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.