1998 BMW K 1200 RS problems & recalls
NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 1998 BMW K 1200 RS.
Recalls
Service Brakes, Hydraulic #97V134000 · 1997 · 973 units
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline #98V258000 · 1998 · 1,000 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. during extended operation in high ambient temperature conditions, the area of the pump mounting surface of the fuel tank can deform, forming a gap between the tank mounting surface and the gasket, allowing fuel to escape from the tank at that area.
Risk: If an ignition source was present, a fire could occur resulting in personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump-to-tank gasket.
Engine And Engine Cooling #00V266000 · 2000 · 188 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. the cylinder head contains two sealing plugs covering holes in the area near the spark plugs. one or both plugs may not have been fully seated during vehicle assembly. either or both of the sealing plugs could loosen or completely detach from their mounting point during vehicle operation.
Risk: This condition could allow coolant to escape, travel along the engine cover, and contact the rear tire, reducing its traction and affecting the stability of the motorcycle. in addition, the loss of coolant could lead to increased engine operating temperature and possible overheating.
Fix: Dealers will replace the sealing plugs with a stainless steel plug design.
Engine And Engine Cooling #00V264000 · 2000 · 2,368 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. a spring-loaded thermostatic element in the oil thermostat housing is held in place by a cover that is retained by a snap ring. the snap ring may not have been properly installed during production. during vehicle operation, the snap ring could unseat, allowing the cover to loosen or detach, resulting in loss of the entire oil volume.
Risk: Engine damage could occur if the engine is not immediately switched off. in addition, oil could travel along the engine cover and ultimately contact the rear tire, reducing its traction and affecting the stability of the motorcycle, possibly resulting in a crash and personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the snap ring installation and if the snap ring is not fully seated, the complete oil pump intermediate flange will be replaced.
Recalls can cover only some VINs. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners complain about
Components named in 6 NHTSA owner complaints. Complaints are unverified.
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Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 K 1200 RS.
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Specs
Specs coming soon. We only publish specs taken from the manufacturer's own spec sheets.
Other years
FAQ
Does the 1998 BMW K 1200 RS have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1998 BMW K 1200 RS. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if a fix is still open.
What are the most common 1998 BMW K 1200 RS problems?
In 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-named area is fuel system, gasoline.