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2012 BMW R 1200 Rt
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
11 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 11 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 BMW R 1200 Rt, plotted where owners report it happening.
Fuel system
36%4 complaints
“WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING POORLY, HARDLY ANY POWER. I MOVED OVER 3 LANES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER & TURNED THE ENGINE OFF.…”
Engine
18%2 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW R1200RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER STOPPED AND IN FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RES…”
Electrical system
18%2 complaints
“2012 BMW R1200 RT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOTORCYCLES COMMUNICATION SYSTEM CONTROLLER TURN SIGNAL ENGAGEMENT VERY DIFFICULT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BMW RE-DES…”
Brakes
9%1 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Front brakes- Front brake lever will not pull in (hard to pull) front brakes do not work, was unable to stop, rear brakes limited and was unable to stop through inters…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 21V060000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this BMW before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 BMW R 1200 Rt. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 BMW R 1200 RT beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every R 1200 Rt model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 BMW R 1200 Rt against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.