Model year record

2003 BMW R 1150 R recalls & problems

The 2003 BMW R 1150 R has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainNov 27, 2002

Manual transmission

Recall 02V319000515 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH TRANSMISSION GEAR (SHIFT) WHEELS MAY NOT BE SECURELY SEATED ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TWO GEARS MAY OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR WHEELS COULD CRACK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION CAPABILITY, OR, A LOCK OF TRANSMISSION COULD OCCUR. THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK WHICH, DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTION, COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLES AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2002. 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 #4.

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*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline	2	—
Fuel system, otherDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Electrical systemWiring	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › Wiring
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW R1150 WITH CURRENT FAILURE OF MILEAGE OF 9,100 MILES. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN # 03V483000 CONCERNING ENGINE HESITATION OR MISFIRING. WHILE DRIVING IN GOOD WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THE MOTORCYCLE BACK FIRED MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE BACK FIRE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 4500 RPMS IN 6TH GEAR. THE BACK FIRE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE, HE IS EXPERIENCING MODERATE ENGINE SURGING AND SOME OIL CONSUMPTION.…
Feb 4, 2007 · 9,100 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
I OWN A 2004 BMW R1150R MOTORCYCLE. THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK I SMELLED A GASOLINE ODOR. I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS SINCE IT WAS DARK OUT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK IT APPEARED THAT ABOUT A PINT OF RAW GASOLINE HAD LEAKED OUT OF MY FUEL LINES ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION, THEN DRIPPED DOWN ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST. *CB
Jan 16, 2004 · 7,700 miles
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
WHEN STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL HOSE. *AK
Dec 20, 2003
Power train › Automatic transmission
BMW R1150R MOTORCYCLE.*MR THIS LETTER IS TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING A WARRANTY PROBLEM WHICH THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS FURTHER. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS FOR TRANSMISSION, DRIVELINE AND FUEL INJECTION PROBLEMS. *CB
Oct 1, 2003
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ENGINE SURGES AT ALL SPEEDS BELOW 4000 RPM. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF OWNERS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE. ENGINE STALLS WHEN SLOWING AND DOWN SHIFTING. *JB
Jul 18, 2003 · 100 miles

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 LINE LEAKAGEClosedLed to recall 04V028000
BMW IS CONDUCTING A RECALL (04V-028).AN INFORMATION REQUEST(IR)RESPONSE WAS NOT RECEIVED. UPON BMW'S RECEIPT OF THE IR, AND AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH ODI, BMWDETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING CONTAINED WITHIN THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED.FURTHER, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN ALSO RESULT IN A SMALL FUEL LEAK.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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004.
PE03054 · opened Dec 1, 2003 · closed Jan 23, 2004