2001 BMW F650gs recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL TANK IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARBON CANISTER WHICH HELPS CONTROL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS CANISTER IS MOUNTED TO A METAL INSERT THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE TANK. DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE THICKNESS OF THE FUEL TANK MATERIAL IN THE AREA OF THE INSERT MAY BE LESS THAN INTENDED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS SUCH AS VIBRATION, HIGH TEMPE…
What could happen: THE FUEL TANK COULD LEAK DURING REFUELING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 F650GS.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V267000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL TANK IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARBON CANISTER WHICH HELPS CONTROL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS CANISTER IS MOUNTED TO A METAL INSERT THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE TANK. DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE THICKNESS OF THE FUEL TANK MATERIAL IN THE AREA OF THE INSERT MAY BE LESS THAN INTENDED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS SUCH AS VIBRATION, HIGH TEMPERATURE, ETC., COULD RESULT IN THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPING A CRACK IN THE AREA OF THE INSERT.
Consequence: THE FUEL TANK COULD LEAK DURING REFUELING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 21, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #5. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2001 BMW F650gs owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (5), Gasoline (4), Suspension (3), Visibility (wipers / glass) (3), Body / structure (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/01/2009 · Suspension · crash
2001 BMW F650GS FRONT FORK FAILURE - WHILE RIDING ON SMOOTH ASPHALT MY MOTORCYCLE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FORK FAILURE DURING DECELERATION - BRAKING CAUSING THE AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE FORK AND CAUSING A ONE VEHICLE COLLISION RIDING IT INTO THE ESPLANADE - WHERE THE AXLE RETAINER BOLT SECURES THE AXLE. REPAIRS COMPLETED - REPLACE BOTH UPPER FORK TUBES…
08/14/2009 · Suspension · crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED <=45 MPH MOTORCYCLE CRASH WITH A MEDIUM SIZED DOG (APPROX 50 LBS) BACK IN THE FALL OF 2005. I WAS RIDING A 2001 BMW F650 WHEN THE DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I COULDN'T AVOID HITTING IT. I APPROXIMATE THE SPEED OF IMPACT AROUND 45 MPH. I SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND SLIDE ALONG THE PAVEMENT FOR APPROX 300 FT.…
12/26/2008 · Suspension · crash
-MOTORCYCLE -BMW 2001 F650GS -SUNNY DAY -STRAIGHT, RURAL CITY STREET -35MPH -CROSSED RAILROAD TRACKS -60FT LATER FELT BRAKING FROM FRONT TIRE, THEN BIKE SLID OVER TO LEFT, ME TO RIGHT -PERSONAL INJURY: BROKEN COLLAR BONE, BRUISES, MEDIUM ROAD RASH, 10 HOURS AT HOSPITAL -FRONT FORK AXLE FLANGE WAS BROKEN, INTACT, FROM MAIN CYLINDRICAL SHOCK HOUSE, A…
07/29/2008 · Fuel system
MY WIFE'S MOTORCYCLE, A BMW F650GS SEEMED TO BE SMELLING OF GASOLINE WHILE RUNNING IT. THE LEAK WAS NOT EVIDENT IN DRIPS OR A PUDDLE SO I BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE THE BIKE WHILE CONSEQUENTLY DOING OTHER MAINTENANCE. I FOUND A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE SEAT, ON TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AREA. UPON CLOSER INVESTIGATION I FOUND A PIN HOLE SIZED LEAK IN THE FUEL…
05/27/2004 · Fuel system
I BOUGHT A BMW MOTORCYCLE ABOUT 3 1/2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. IT WAS RECALLED FOR FAULTY REAR BRAKE, SEVERAL FUEL INJECTION SOFTWARE UPGRAGES DUE TO HORRIBLE STALLING PROBLEMS, AND ON THE MESSAGE BOARD DEVOTED TO THE BMW 650 GS, I HEAR OF A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL FAILINGS. MINE STALLED SINCE NEW, I'VE BEEN THROUGH THEIR SOFTWAR UPGRADES…
01/23/2004 · Engine
WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT WOULD PERFORM PROPERLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS PRESENT. *SC *JB
12/30/2003 · Electrical system
YEAR 2001 BMW F650GS MOTORCYCLE. FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE REASON, THE ENGINE IDLE DROPS TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE STALLS. IF YOU KNOW TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAIN, THE IDLE WILL BE RESTORED WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS STARTED.
07/31/2003 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
MIRROR ON 2001 BMW F650 GS MOTORCYCLE FOLDS BACK. STARTED ON HOT DAY. NOW FOLDS BACK AT 20 MPH. *PH