2020 bmw R 1250 GS vs 2020 ram 5500
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2020 bmw R 1250 GS
2020 ram 5500
Stories from the shop
The 2020 ram 5500 edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 4.5 versus 4.2 on the reliability index. Close enough that the right answer for you might be the other truck — depends what you're using it for and what you can afford to fix when something does go.
If you're leaning 2020 bmw R 1250 GS, know what you're getting into on brakes. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than what the 2020 ram 5500 sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS or the 2020 RAM 5500?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2020 RAM 5500 comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.5 versus 4.2. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS?
Compared to the 2020 RAM 5500, the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS sees more reported issues in brakes. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2020 RAM 5500?
On the categories we tracked, the 2020 RAM 5500 doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. The two are running close.
Which has more recalls?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has more active recalls (3 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $450 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.