Model year record

2002 BMW R 1150 GS recalls & problems

The 2002 BMW R 1150 GS has 1 safety recall and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (12 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints21filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 31, 2001

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 01V2460002,997 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE SPEEDOMETER DRIVE CABLE COULD BE TOO SMALL. DUE TO COMPRESSION AND REBOUND OF THE FORK, THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE COULD CONTACT AND CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKING CAPABILITY. IF THIS HAPPENED, DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE RIDER'S REACTIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND SPEEDOMETER CABLE. THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED IF THE DISTANCE TO THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE IS FOUND TO BE TOO SMALL OR IF IT IS DAMAGED. A NEW PROTECTIVE SLEEVE WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE NEAR THE FRONT FENDER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 18, 2001. 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.

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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Drum › Drum	12	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Driveshaft; Driveline	5	0	0	35,900 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery	3	0	0	—
SeatsMotorcycle	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, airAntilock	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, otherDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	0	0	—
Electrical system	1	1	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical systemFire1 injury
SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL FIRE LED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER STARTUP. *TR
Jun 2, 2020 · 22,419 miles
Power train
MY 2002 BMW 1150GS MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY JUST OVER 41K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THESE MOTORCYCLES ARE ADVERTISED TO THE PUBLIC AS ABLE TO DRIVE FOREVER ACROSS CONTINENTS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN IT LOST SOME INTERNAL GEARS LAST WEEKEND AND SOMETHING LET GO IN THE GEARBOX WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 5TH AND 6TH UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. METAL FRAGMENTS CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN DRAINED OF FLUID. THIS IS A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TRAVELING AT NEAR 65 MILES PER HOUR ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY TWO WHEELS AND WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN HEAVY…
Apr 20, 2012 · 41,034 miles
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW R1150RA (NA). WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES AND THEN NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE QUICK RELEASE MECHANISM. AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE QUICK RELEASE MECHANISM FOR FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000.
Aug 21, 2007 · 8,000 miles
Power train › Driveline
IN APRIL 2005, I EXPERIENCED A FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON MY 2002 BMW R1150GS. DURING A 36,000 MILE SERVICE, I REPORTED A SLIGHT OIL LEAK AROUND THE RUBBER BOOT ON THE FINAL DRIVE SHAFT. BMW REPLACED THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING THAT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE WAS REPLACED DURING THE SERVICE AT NO CHARGE. THE FINAL DRIVE FAILURE PROBLEM IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND I AM AWARE OF SIX LOCAL BMW MOTORCYCLES, BOTH R AND K SERIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FINAL DRIVE FAILURES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. *NM
Apr 18, 2005 · 35,900 miles
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
2002 BMW R1150GS MOTORCYCLE SUFFERED A FAILURE OF THE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY IN THE SHAFT DRIVE MECHANISM. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE SEAL BLEW OUT AND THE SHAFT BEARINGS DISINTEGRATED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO HOP UP AND DOWN SEVERELY AT ABOUT 70 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE BIKE OVER SAFELY WITHOUT A CRASH. THE ENTIRE FINAL DRIVE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY, IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HAD IT FAILED LITERALLY 30 SECONDS EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN LEANED WAY OVER IN A VERY TIGHT CORNER AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HIGH. THE LEAKING GEAR OIL COATED THE REAR TIRE CAUSING IT TO BECOME VERY SLICK. IT ALSO COATED THE REAR BRAKE PADS CAUSING THEM TO BECOME…
Oct 2, 2004 · 28,850 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
THIS MOTORCYCLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A LINKED ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. THE REAR WHEEL AND FRONT WHEEL WORK TOGETHER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS WITHOUT BRAKES FOR AN UNDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME. *AK *NM
Feb 25, 2004 · 16,400 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
GAS LEAK
Oct 1, 2003 · 2,300 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON BMW R1150GS MOTORCYCLE AT 28,200 MILES RESULTING IN LOSS OF OIL AND REQUIRING COMPLETE FINAL DRIVE AND ABS SENSOR REPLACEMENT.*AK
Jun 21, 2003 · 28,200 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