Rear drive shaft universal joint failed causing the motorcycle to lose power to the rear wheel. If I had been in a turn when the motorcycle lost power, I could have lost control of the vehicle, and my passenger and myself may have crashed and been harmed or died. Per BMW: There have been a mounting number of instances where condensation within the hollow swingarm unit has caused corrosion to acc…
2014 BMW R 1200 GS powertrain problems
critical 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
THIS IS A NEW BMW MOTORCYCLE PURCHASED IN JANUARY. AROUND 4000 MILES THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A METALLIC NOISE AFTER WARMED UP, AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MOTORCYCLE IS NOW AND HAS BEEN LOCATED AT AUTHORIZED BMW SERVICE REPAIR CENTER FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS; THE NOISE, TO DATE, HAS NOT BEEN CLEARLY DIAGNOSED, BUT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY REPAIR STAFF THAT NOISE IS ABNORMAL. CONCERN IS THAT ENG…
The contact owned a 2014 BMW R 1200 GS. The contact stated while the contact's father was driving 25 MPH, the motorcycle unintendedly accelerated at high speed. The contact was unsure if any warning light illuminated, but it caused the contact's father to lose control of the motorcycle, and to avoid striking other vehicles, the contact struck a pole and a utility box. The contact's father stuffed …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2014 BMW R 1200 GS?
It's a serious issue. 3 complaints have been filed, including 1 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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