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 Gs
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
Compare all R 1250 Gs 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: 5 of 8 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.
- Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
7 reportsRear 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. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW…
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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. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.
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... wide spread problem on the majority o…
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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... wide spread problem on the majority of BMW GS 2009-2021 as seen on the fourms such as "Adventure Rider" and "R1200GS info" search for "bmw gs soft rear brakes." Brake bleeds are a temporary fix. Replacing the rear brake master cylinder is a temporary fix. Computer bleeding the Bosch ABS module is also a temporary fix. Problem always returns. I am a federal Airframe and Powerplant technician and avionics installer i know brake systems. I already know BMW motorrad will bleed, bleed, then replace the master cylinder then will send a ticket to BMW Germany and not come up with an answer just like all the poor owners on the fourms. I personally service "bleed" my brakes every 6,000 miles to ensure "acceptable" operation.
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). BMW SERVICE HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS, STATING BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'M R…
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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). BMW SERVICE HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS, STATING BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'M REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AS PART OF 'DUE DILIGENCE' TO COLLECT SAFETY RELATED INFORMATION WITH THE 2020 BMW R1250GSA BRAKE SYSTEM. THERE MIGHT BE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE CALIPERS AND POSSIBLY THE ABS PRESSURE MODULATOR. NON-USER ATTRIBUTED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS IS INDICATIVE OF SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT COULD IMPACT THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH THE POTENTIALLY OF WHEEL LOCK UP SHOULD THE SYSTEM APPLY FULL BRAKING TO THE REAR WHEEL.
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. NOTICEABLE DROPS ON WHEEL RIM WHEN PARKED.
BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. OBSERVED WHEN STATIONARY, DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM. ALSO SWEATS OF BRAKE FLUID OBSERVED AT THE SEAM (IT IS A TWO PIECE BRAKE CALIPER, MANUFACTURED BY HAYES). DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE (CAN'T GET REPLACEMENT PARTS) AND BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED NO OTHER REMEDY. ESSENTIAL…
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BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ARE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. OBSERVED WHEN STATIONARY, DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM. ALSO SWEATS OF BRAKE FLUID OBSERVED AT THE SEAM (IT IS A TWO PIECE BRAKE CALIPER, MANUFACTURED BY HAYES). DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE (CAN'T GET REPLACEMENT PARTS) AND BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED NO OTHER REMEDY. ESSENTIALLY I CANNOT RIDE A NEW BIKE FOR 3 MONTHS NOW WITHOUT BEING AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY.
BOTH FRONT CALIPERS ARE LEAKING FLUID. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR VERIFICATION AND REPAIR ON NOV 27 2019. I HAVE BEEN INQUIRING WITH THEM EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE AS TO WHEN THEY MAY BE REPLACED WITH NOT EVEN AND ESTIMATED DATE. BMW MOTORRAD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ESCALATE THE CASE TO ANY OTH…
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BOTH FRONT CALIPERS ARE LEAKING FLUID. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR VERIFICATION AND REPAIR ON NOV 27 2019. I HAVE BEEN INQUIRING WITH THEM EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE AS TO WHEN THEY MAY BE REPLACED WITH NOT EVEN AND ESTIMATED DATE. BMW MOTORRAD CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ESCALATE THE CASE TO ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND THAT IT MUST BE DONE THROUGH THE DEALER. FLUID HAS ALSO LEAKED ON THE FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE. AT THIS POINT, THE BIKE CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO STOP.
Official recalls
523V011000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input
Jan 18, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
20V476000 · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 13, 2020
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes
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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
20V165000 · Power Train:driveline
Mar 19, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
20V166000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
Mar 19, 2020
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
20V146000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
Mar 12, 2020
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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