This page covers 4 recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2019 BMW R 1250 Gs.
Complaints for the 2019 BMW R 1250 GS center heavily on the rear brake system. Across multiple reports, owners describe the rear brake pedal going soft and losing braking effectiveness after riding, requiring repeated dealer visits for bleeding, only for the problem to return within a few months or a few thousand miles. Several owners note that pedal travel becomes excessively long and the brake offers little resistance, leaving the front brake as the primary stopping method. Dealers have reportedly bled the system multiple times without resolving the underlying cause. Outside of brakes, the complaint volume is thin: one owner reports hot-restart failures where the engine won't start after a warm shutdown, with the problem persisting even after a battery replacement, and one report references recurring engine management warning lights.
15
Total Complaints
By System
The 2019 BMW R 1250 GS has 4 recalls, the most serious involving the gearbox input shaft, which can crack or break under certain riding conditions and cause the rear wheel to lock up suddenly.
On the brake side, three recalls address related concerns. The front brake calipers can seep brake fluid while the motorcycle sits parked; over time, that slow loss depletes the brake fluid reservoir enough to reduce braking force when you need it most. Two additional recalls cover the brake fluid reservoir cap, which may not clearly identify the correct fluid type or explain how to fill the reservoir properly. If an owner or technician uses the wrong fluid or fills it incorrectly during routine maintenance, brake performance can degrade in the same way. One of those cap recalls applies specifically to aftermarket accessory reservoir covers sold separately for this and related BMW models, so owners who have added that accessory should verify whether their part is affected.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, which could block the rear wheel.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control unit software at no cost to address the issue.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid while the motorcycle is parked, reducing brake system effectiveness.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front brake calipers and replace them with an improved version at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid reservoir cap lacks clear instructions about which brake fluid type to use and how to refill the reservoir, risking improper maintenance.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake fluid reservoir cap lacks clear labeling of the required brake fluid type and filling instructions, potentially causing improper maintenance.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
