BMW R 1200 C problems & recalls
NHTSA records for 1998–2003: 3 recall campaigns and 43 owner complaints. Pick a model year.
By year
What owners complain about (all years)
Recent recalls
Structure #01V217000 · 2001 · 3,342 units
Problem: 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.
Risk: if this happened, the dynamic stability of the motorcycle would be affected and a loss of control could occur.
Fix: 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.
Seats #00V289000 · 2000 · 1,636 units
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. the seat backrest can be adjusted to two positions, horizontal or vertical. in the horizontal position, the backrest acts as a seat cushion for a rear passenger. in the vertical position, it is used as a backrest for the driver. it is possible for the leaf spring mounting bracket, if overloaded with the backrest in the vertical position, to crack or break.
Risk: If the bracket were to break, the backrest would detach from its mount, causing the driver to lose his balance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the backrest with one containing the original-design mounting bracket.
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.
Want the full repair deets? Get the service manual.
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 R 1200 C.
Motorcycle-specific service manuals with step-by-step procedures (Clymer is part of Haynes).
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