2020 BMW R 1250 RT recalls and problems

The 2020 BMW R 1250 RT has 4 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
6
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 BMW R 1250 RT vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 BMW R 1250 RT recalls

Recall 23V-011: Power Train

Reported Jan 18, 2023 · 18,534 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-476: Service Brakes, Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Aug 13, 2020 · 9,392 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-165: Power Train

Reported Mar 19, 2020 · 4 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-166: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Mar 19, 2020 · 365 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2020 BMW R 1250 RT problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes5
Power Train1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 6,300 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2020 BMW R 1250 RT complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Jun 5, 2024
BMW Motorrad had a safety check on the driveshafts/ u joints for R1200 and R 1250 GS and RT motos. I had mine checked at D2 Powersports in Q3 or Q4, 2023 and it passed. No paperwork was given. On 3/28/24 the driveshaft / U joint failed on NC 178 south of Rosman, NC. Had this locked up in a corner it could have cause a wreck. The R1250RT was towed to D2 Powersports 10 hours later. D2 submitted a request for warranty repair or some financial help to BMW Motorrad. Request denied. I paid the entire $2677.96. BMW has SIB 33 04 23 out for K5X driveshaft maintenance schedule change published 12/12/23…
Service Brakes · at 165 miles · reported Mar 31, 2020
Took delivery of a new motorcycle on saturday. Upon returning home with the new bike, 160 mile trip home, I noticed brake fluid leaking out of both front brake calipers. Fluid was splattered all over the rim and tire. This has been an ongoing issue with the 2019's of the bmw r1250rt. I was LED to believe the problem was solved for the 2020 bikes, but clearly this is not the case given my experience relayed in this report. The dealership has been fine with trying to resolve this issue, but as of yet, we don't know if this will be resolved and/or if there will be any sort of compensation for the…
Service Brakes · at 7 miles · reported Feb 13, 2020
I went to test drive a new 2020 bmw r1250 rt motorcycle and the dealership inspected it before the test drive. During the test drive, the brakes started leaking and I noticed a performance drop in the ability to brake. Upon digging into the situation the dealership informed me that there was a service bulletin from bmw. That stated the brakes are known to have issues and they should be inspected for leaks before being sold to a customer or test-driven. Bmw has released a new part number that will fix the critical design flaw that is in the brakes. This part has not been released yet. Bmw needs…

Other BMW R 1250 RT years

Compare all BMW R 1250 RT years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT: 23V-011 (power train), 20V-476 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic), 20V-165 (power train), 20V-166 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 BMW R 1250 RT?

Owners report service brakes problems most often (5 reports), followed by power train (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 6,300 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.