Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
2025–50K
550–75K
275–100K
0100–150K
1150K+
35 reports with mileage · 15 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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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 reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
50 reports
57,400 miles · Sep 2, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WENT OUT ON THE MOTORCYCLE. GEAR OIL LEAKED OUT ALL OVER THE REAR TIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME FROM THE STORE. THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND, THEN THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE REAR TIRE. THE OWNER STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT…
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DT: THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WENT OUT ON THE MOTORCYCLE. GEAR OIL LEAKED OUT ALL OVER THE REAR TIRE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME FROM THE STORE. THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND, THEN THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE REAR TIRE. THE OWNER STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10135225
32,843 miles · Aug 26, 2004
Power Train
(1) 110 MILES BEFORE FAILURE, NOTICED A GROWLING SOUND. RODE THIS MOTORCYCLE WITH A PASSENGER TOWARD DEALER 100 MILES AT 50 MPH, THEN 10 MILES AT 40 MPH AS GROWLING INCREASED. STOPPED WHEN REAR WHEEL STARTED WOBBLING, 30 MILES AWAY FROM DEALER.*AK (2) REAR DRIVE OF MOTORCYCLE FAILED. BECAUSE I HAD HEARD PROBLEM AND WAS AWARE…
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(1) 110 MILES BEFORE FAILURE, NOTICED A GROWLING SOUND. RODE THIS MOTORCYCLE WITH A PASSENGER TOWARD DEALER 100 MILES AT 50 MPH, THEN 10 MILES AT 40 MPH AS GROWLING INCREASED. STOPPED WHEN REAR WHEEL STARTED WOBBLING, 30 MILES AWAY FROM DEALER.*AK (2) REAR DRIVE OF MOTORCYCLE FAILED. BECAUSE I HAD HEARD PROBLEM AND WAS AWARE, REAR WHEEL DID NOT LOCK UP AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. (3) ENTIRE REAR DRIVE REPLACED, AFTER WAITING 11 DAYS 3000 MILES FROM HOME FOR BACKORDERED PART TO ARRIVE FROM GERMANY.
NHTSA ODI #10088613
26,000 miles · Mar 1, 2004
Power Train
THE REAR DRIVE ASSEMBLY ON MY BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING GRINDING NOISES. IT THEN DUMPED DRIVE OIL ALL OVER THE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE REAR TIRE TO SLIP ON THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO BRING THE BIKE UNDER CONTROL AND TO A COMPLETE STOP THUS AV…
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THE REAR DRIVE ASSEMBLY ON MY BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING GRINDING NOISES. IT THEN DUMPED DRIVE OIL ALL OVER THE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE REAR TIRE TO SLIP ON THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO BRING THE BIKE UNDER CONTROL AND TO A COMPLETE STOP THUS AVOIDING A SERIOUS CRASH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060127
46,165 miles · Nov 9, 2003
Power TrainSuspension
BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE REAR DRIVE FAILURE. REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10045830
42,299 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Power Train
BEARING FAILURE IN REAR DRIVE ASSEMBLY OF 1999 BMW K1200LTC MOTORCYCLE
NHTSA ODI #10038900
54,000 miles · Sep 14, 2003
Suspension
FAILURE OF A REAR END BEARING AND OIL SEAL ON MY 1999 BMW K1200LTI MOTORCYCLE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED AN OIL SPILL AND A SERIOUS POTENTIAL AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10038861
32,000 miles · Sep 4, 2003
Power Train
BMW K1200LT REAR DRIVE FAILURE. 32000 MILES REAR CROWN BEARING FAILED ON EXTENDED TRIP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037193
43,700 miles · Aug 14, 2003
Power Train
1999 BMW K1200LTI REAR DRIVE FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10032809
42,500 miles · Aug 14, 2003
Power Train
REAR DRIVE FAILED ON BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. BEARING IN REAR DRIVE OF SHAFT DRIVE MOTORCYCLE HAS FAILED CAUSING GRINDING NOISE, MAKING VEHICLE UNRIDABLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032796
47,000 miles · Aug 11, 2003
Power Train
REAR DRIVE FAILURE, K1200LT BMW MOTORCYCLE. THE REAR DRIVE ON THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO BE INOPERABLE. THE BEARING COLLAPSED FROM INSIDE OUT. THE RACE HOLDING THE ROLLERS BROKE IN SEVERAL PLACES. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10032546
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.
1999 BMW K1200LT Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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