2020 BMW R 1250 GS recalls and problems

The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has 5 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
8
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

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

2020 BMW R 1250 GS 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.

Recall 20V-146: Exterior Lighting

Reported Mar 12, 2020 · 4,026 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2020 BMW R 1250 GS problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Most reported parts

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 3,000 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 GS complaints

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

Service Brakes · reported Nov 25, 2025
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.
Service Brakes · reported May 31, 2023
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.
Service Brakes · reported May 14, 2022
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…
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 3,000 miles · reported Jul 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V476000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was made aware of the issue however, the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that brake fluid was leaking from the caliper. The failure mileage was 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Service Brakes · at 6,000 miles · reported Feb 24, 2021
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.…

Other BMW R 1250 GS years

Compare all BMW R 1250 GS years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS: 23V-011 (power train), 20V-476 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic), 20V-165 (power train), 20V-166 (service brakes, hydraulic), 20V-146 (exterior lighting). 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 GS?

Owners report service brakes problems most often (7 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 3,000 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.