2013 BMW R1200gs

The 2013 BMW R1200GS has 4 recalls, the most serious involving two suspension issues and a transmission oil leak, any of which can cause a crash by reducing steering control or making the rear tire slip on leaked oil.

On the suspension side, threaded plugs that secure the front fork tubes to the upper triple clamp can loosen over time and allow a fork tube to detach, causing sudden loss of steering. Separately, the upper fork seal plug can loosen after a hard impact like a pothole and eventually separate, leading to oil leaks, a rattling sensation, and unstable handling. On the drivetrain side, excessive transmission oil pressure can force oil past the output shaft seal and onto the road just ahead of the rear tire, making the bike unpredictable. There is also a stability control concern: after riding in off-road mode, the automatic stability control system may not reactivate, and because the warning light goes dark, the rider has no indication the system is still switched off.