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2019 BMW R 1250 GS
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
15 owner complaints · 4 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why caution?
4 recall campaigns (3 safety-critical). Confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the seller's VIN.
Brakes problems dominate (80% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
The math, shown
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 2019 BMW R 1250 GS, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (12)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Brakes
80%12 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Rear brake system malfunctions. Malfunctioning rear brake increases braking distance which can lead to a collision. The BMW dealer and customer service have confirmed …”
Engine
20%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in th…”
Electrical system
13%2 complaints
“During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in th…”
Speed control
7%1 complaints
“4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a probl…”
Recalls (4)
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.
Power Train · 23V011000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 20V476000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 20V166000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 20E013000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 2019 BMW R 1250 GS beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2019? See how every R 1250 GS model year scores →
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What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.