2002 BMW R Series recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. 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. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING IN FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.
What could happen: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST ALL CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS. ALSO, ALL FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS WILL BE INSPECTED. IF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE QUICK-DISCONNECT O-RING WILL BE REPLACED. IF DAMAGED, THE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD…
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 2002 R SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V028000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-831-1117.
- 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:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING IN FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST ALL CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS. ALSO, ALL FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS WILL BE INSPECTED. IF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE QUICK-DISCONNECT O-RING WILL BE REPLACED. IF DAMAGED, THE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN 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
- 2002 BMW R Series owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (3), Fuel system (3), Gasoline (3), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/05/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
OPERATING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION AT SPEED BELOW 40 MPH. VEHICLE LOSS ALL POWER FROM ENGINE TO TRANSMISSION. ENGINE STILL OPERATES AND REVS NORMALLY, BUT NO ENGINE POWER IS TRANSFERRED TO TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFT PROPER INTO EACH GEAR IN THE GEARBOX. VEHICLE TOWED TO MAIN LINE BMW MOTORCYCLE, DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF CLUTCH AND…
06/30/2011 · Brakes
EARLIER IN THE WEEK THE ABS FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING EFFECTIVELY. THERE IS A BACKUP "RESIDUAL BRAKING" OF ABOUT 15%. I SURVIVED BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AND DID NOT NEED A SERIOUS STOP. I HAD IT "FIXED" AT THE DEALER ON SATURDAY. THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND THE BRAKES WORKED FOR ABOUT 4 ON OFF CYCLES. THEN THEY FAILED AGA…
10/28/2010 · Body / structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW R1150RT.. WHILE STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE, THE KICKSTAND BENT AND IT FELL OVER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN HOME WHERE THE CONTACT REPAIRED IT HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 12/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PAPER WORK TO FILL OUT. UPDATED 12/27/10 UPDA…
08/02/2010 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW R1150RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONNECTING SLEEVE TO THE FLUID LINE. IN ADDITION, FUEL BEGAN LEAKING ONTO THE HOT CYLINDER. THIS WAS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILUR…
12/24/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH TO TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT SPLINES FAILED ON MY 2002 BMW R1150RT MOTORCYCLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SPLINES WHICH CONNECT THE CLUTCH PLATE TO THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A SIDE STREET WHICH WASN'T BUSY AND NEAR HOME. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED DUE TO LOCATION WHERE FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR
11/12/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
FINAL DRIVE CROWN BEARING FAILED. EXCESS AXLE MOVEMENT DAMAGED SEAL, FINAL DRIVE OIL LEAKED OUT OVER TIRE, OIL ON MOTORCYCLE TIRE IS DANGEROUS. I WAS LUCKY. THERE IS LOTS ON INTERNET ACTIVITY ON THIS, THERE HAVE BEEN CRASHES AND FIRES REPORTED BUT I DO NOT HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ANY. VEHICLE IS 2002 BMW R1150RS SAME FINAL DRIVE DESIGN USED ON ALL R…
07/25/2006 · Fuel system
QUICK DISCONNECT FUEL LINE FITTING FAILURE (FRACTURED FOR NO SPECIAL REASON WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE) WAS NOT DAMAGED OR MISUSED IN ANY WAY. GASOLINE WAS SPILLING ONTO HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BUT NO FIRE. *JB
08/26/2005 · Fuel system
2002 BMW R1150R FUEL LEAK PROBLEM/ FUEL LINE RECALL.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK DURING OPERATION THAT RESULTED IN GASOLINE BEING SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK AS WELL AS THE CONSUMER LEG. THE CONSUMER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED AND UPON INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE MALE END OF ONE OF THE QUICK DISCONNECTS…