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1998 BMW R1200C

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
14Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
14
19984
19994
20003
2001
Compare all R1200C years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
5Exterior Lighting
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Electrical System
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1
All reported categories
Power Train
1Suspension
1

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: 7 of 14 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 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 reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

2 reports
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25,000 miles · Feb 22, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AND TRYING TO DECELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD FA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW R1200C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH AND TRYING TO DECELERATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAILING. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF UPDATED 08/15/11

NHTSA ODI #10384009

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire

MOTORCYCLE BURSTED INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OR LESS. MOTORCYCLE INSPECTED BY DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE ABS HARNESS HAD CUT INTO A WIRE WHICH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #842253

Official recalls

2

01V217000 · Structure:frame And Members

Jun 26, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH CHROME-PLATED FRAMES. COPPER RESIDUE CAN REMAIN IN THE TAPPED HOLE WHERE THE UPPER FORK BRIDGE ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. MOISTURE CAN CAUSE CORROSION TO OCCUR BETWEEN THE COPPER RESIDUE AND THE ALUMINUM FRAME. THE STRESS OF THE CONNECTING BOLT ATTACHING THE UPPER FORK TO THE FRAME COULD THEN DECREASE, LEADING TO LOOSENING, AND ULTIMATELY, BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENED, THE DYNAMIC STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE AFFECTED AND A LOSS OF CONTROL COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REAM THE HOLE IN THE FRAME HEAD AND INSTALL A HELICOIL THREAD INSERT AND A NEW BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

97V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Aug 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE ADJUSTING SCREW FOR THE PRESSURE POINT OF EITHER THE BRAKE OR CLUTCH LEVERS MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHT, DUE TO GREASE CONTAMINATION OF THE THREADS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SCREW(S) CAN BACK OUT OVER TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED CAUSING A CHANGE IN THE PRESSURE POINT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE CLUTCH AND/OR FRONT BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE ADJUSTMENT SCREWS OF THE FRONT BRAKE AND CLUTCH LEVERS FOR MOVEMENT. IF THE SCREWS ARE TIGHT, NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. IF A SCREW IS FOUND TO BE LOOSE, IT WILL BE REMOVED, CLEANED AND REINSTALLED WITH NEW LOCTITE.

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.