Model year record
2005 BMW R Series recalls & problems
The 2005 BMW R Series has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2005 BMW R Series.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power trainDriveline; Manual transmission | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER HOUSING RESULTING IN MINOR FUEL LEAK. *TR
- Service brakes, hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW R-1200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD LIFT UPWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES TO UNLOCK AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ANTI-HOP CLUTCH FOR THE FRONT BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FATCAT ANTI-HOP CLUTCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Power train › Driveline
WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY, I PULLED IN THE CLUTCH, PUT THE BIKE INTO GEAR AND THE BIKE MADE A LOUD, METALLIC GRINDING SOUND. THIS FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED ONCE IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS MOTORCYCLE (2 1/2 MONTHS); HOWEVER, IT WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN THAT LEFT MY BIKE UNABLE TO TRAVEL UNDER ITS OWN POWER AND STRANDED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. (THIS HAPPENED ON THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY IN MANHATTAN.) FOR MY PERSONAL SAFETY AND TO PREVENT MY DISABLED MOTORCYCLE FROM CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, I HAD TO PUSH THE BIKE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THROUGH GAPS IN TRAFFIC. THE REPAIR REQUIRED A FULL CLUTCH REPLACEMENT AND REPLACEMENT OF THE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel Leak - MotorycleClosedLed to recall 13V617000
ODI began investigating this issue after owners of model year (MY) 2004-2011 R-series BMW motorcycles reported incidents of pressurized fuel leakage from the fuel pump flange.Some owners first became aware of the problem when their pant leg was fuel-soaked.Prior to opening our initial investigation on November 16, 2012, BMW had concluded that the small number of warranty claims and owner reports did not indicate the existence of a safety defect trend.However, during the course of responding to our information requests, BMW re-examined its data and decided to conduct a recall (13V-617) of the subject motorcycles.In conducting recall 13V-617, BMW voluntarily expanded the scope of affected vehicles from ODI'soriginal scope, MY2005-2008 R-series motorcycles, to include the primary and auxiliary fuel pumps on all MY 2005-2011 R-series, MY 2005-2011 K12&13 models, MY 2010-2011 RR models, and…
- Fuel Leak - MotorcycleClosed
Owners of model year (MY) 2005-2008 R-Series motorcycles report substantial, high pressure fuel loss occurring when the fuel pump is energized.Many times they first become aware of the problem when fuel soaks their pant legs or is puddled under their parked motorcycle.The Office of Defects investigation (ODI) has obtained an owner video illustrating the issue.This video, and other material, may be found in the public file at www.SaferCar.gov. ODI has learned that the subject fuel leak is due to cracks in the fuel outlet quick connector located on the in-tank fuel pump housing.While some owners, reluctant to incur the expense to replace the fuel pump assembly, have undertaken frequently ineffective do-it-yourself repairs primarily involving adhesive patches, two other remedies are available.The first, found in the after-market, is an aluminum clamp designed to reinforce the fuel outlet…
- MOTORCYCLE FIRESClosed
UNLIKE MOST MOTORCYCLES, WHERE A SIGHT GLASS IS USED TO DETERMINE ENGINE OIL LEVEL, THE SUBJECT, AIR-COOLED, MOTORCYCLES ARE BUILT BY BMW WITH A POLYMER (PLASTIC) SIGHT GLASS THAT, IN SOME INSTANCES, MELTS DUE TO HIGH ENGINE/OIL TEMPERATURE.THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS OPERATED CONTRARY TO BMW'S OWNER MANUAL ADMONITION: WARNING:DO NOT KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT A STANDSTILL -- RISK OF OVERHEATING AND FIRE.EACH OF THE ALLEGED FIRES OCCURRED WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING.ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY STRUCTURE FIRES WHERE A MELTED SIGHT GLASS IS THE ROOT CAUSE.OF THE EIGHT KNOWN FIRES, ONE OCCURRED IN 2000, THREE IN 2004 AND AGAIN IN 2005, AND ONE IN FEBRUARY, 2007.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE AN ELEVATED FIRE-RELATED INSURANCE CLAIMS HISTORY. BASED ON THE LOW INCIDENCE RATE, IT APPEARS BMW'S WARNING IS EFFECTIVE AND NO DEFECT TREND IS…