NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2015–2017

BMW R 1200 RS recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 owner complaints for the BMW R 1200 RS, covering model years 2015 to 2017. Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW R 1200 RS VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

1 recall campaign on file
4 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
3 model years with data (2015–2017)

top component: Electrical System (2 complaints)
latest recall 17V481000 (reported Jul 28, 2017)

0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW R 1200 RS complaints by model year

1 model year · NHTSA complaints

All 4 complaints are for the 2016 model year.

BMW R 1200 RS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

BMW R 1200 RS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
2016	4	0	0	0	0

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW R 1200 RS components

top 6 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 2 complaints (50.0% of all 4), followed by Engine (2) and Fuel/Propulsion System (2).

Components named most often in BMW R 1200 RS complaints (top 6)

Components named most often in BMW R 1200 RS complaints (top 6)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Electrical System	2	50.0%
Engine	2	50.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System	2	50.0%
Equipment	1	25.0%
Exterior Lighting	1	25.0%
Tires	1	25.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW R 1200 RS recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name R 1200 RS, newest first. The only campaign, 17V481000, covers model years 2015, 2016 and 2017.

1 recall campaign

BMW R 1200 RS recall campaigns covering each model year
2015: 1 campaign	2016: 1 campaign	2017: 1 campaign

NHTSA campaign 17V481000
Reported Jul 28, 2017
Equipment
Model years 2015–2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. 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."
Consequence:
If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW R 1200 RS questions

4 questions

How many recalls does the BMW R 1200 RS have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the BMW R 1200 RS, covering model years 2015 to 2017. The campaign, 17V481000, was reported on July 28, 2017 and is filed under “Equipment”. The 2015, 2016 and 2017 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

What is the most common BMW R 1200 RS complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 2 complaints, or 50.0% of all 4. Engine (2) and Fuel/Propulsion System (2) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW R 1200 RS?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW R 1200 RS complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 4 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.