2006 BMW R1200 RT problems & reliability
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW R1200 RT, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 13 | 35% |
| Fuel/propulsion System → | 11 | 30% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 16% |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 5% |
| Wheels | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical System | 1 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 3% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 34 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 23,000 miles (middle 50% between 11,695 and 44,692 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw r1200 rt. While driving 55 mph, the contact smelled fuel coming from the fuel pump. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed fuel leaking over the engine. The contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 13v617000 (fuel…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Oct 11, 2019
“The fuel strip that reads gasoline level is defective. First repair lasted less than 200 miles. Recent replacement failed as I made the turn out of the dealership from the last repair.”
Electrical System · filed Jun 26, 2017
“While driving southbound on I-79 near pittsburgh at approximately 70 mph the rear universal joint let go. This caused the motorcycle rear wheel to intermittently lock up and release. The universal has no means to lubricate it and no noise or vibration was heard or felt before failure.”
Power Train · filed Jul 18, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Fuel Leak - Motorycle
Engineering Analysis EA13006 · opened Jul 12, 2013 · closed Jan 31, 2014 · led to recall 13V617000
- Fuel Leak - Motorcycle
Preliminary Evaluation PE12036 · opened Nov 16, 2012 · closed Jul 22, 2013
Technical service bulletins
45 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW R1200 RT. The 10 most recent:
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information…
B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 11, 2024
Since October 2023, a new maintenance schedule is valid for all K5x models. For the first time, maintenance positions for the cardan shaft (Driveshaft) are included. NOTICE: 1. The new maintenance schedule is not…
MC330423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2023
BMW Motorrad USA has become aware of a potential durability issue with the film type fuel level sender â  Fuel Stripâ  equipped on certain model year 2005 to 2013 R and K series motorcycles.
MC160214 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2023
Multiple factors may cause the driveshaft to become damaged; among them are corrosion in certain parts ofthe driveshaft, and wear and tear exacerbated by certain climatic conditions.
SIB330222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2023
BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.
MC000222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 8, 2022
When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.
MC610821 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 13, 2021
The bike does not shut down with a short press of the keyless ride button. The keyless Ride button must be pressed for several seconds to shut the bike down
MC660118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 17, 2021
BMW Motorrad has ascertained that incorrect usage, such as overloading, can result in the threaded fasteners of the center stand losing their initial torque.
MC000913 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 10, 2021
The hill start control operation may be sporadic.
MC64465398 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2021
The complaint of leaking telescopic forks is the top warranty claim in many current models,
MC310421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2021
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2006 BMW R1200 RT has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2006 BMW R1200 RT?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 23,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.