NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 BMW K Series Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 BMW K Series has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 BMW K Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 BMW K Series owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW K Series, describing incidents dated March 20, 2004 to October 4, 2013.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10546834 · Filed October 5, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN OF THE BIKE. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A SMALL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. IT COULD BE FELT IN THE SEAT AND FOOTPEGS. AS I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING WHICH COULD BE CHECKED…
ODI #10447116 · Filed February 8, 2012
CROWN GEAR FAILURE IN THE PARALEVER FINAL DRIVE. *TR
ODI #10394429 · Filed April 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200 RS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE DISCOVERED FUEL SPRAYING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES…

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 BMW K Series in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE03-054: FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
Closed January 23, 2004
- Recall 04V-028

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

BMW/MOTORCYCLES/FUEL HOSE CLAMPS

NHTSA #04V028000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 39,000 vehicles

Owners notified April 30, 2004 · Vehicles built May 1, 2000 – December 31, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 BMW K Series. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW K Series.

Power Train

ODI #10546834

Incident: October 4, 2013 · Filed: October 5, 2013

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN OF THE BIKE. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A SMALL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. IT COULD BE FELT IN THE SEAT AND FOOTPEGS. AS I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING WHICH COULD BE CHECKED WITHOUT TAKING ANYTHING APART. EVERYTHING THING WAS FINE INCLUDING THE WHEELS AND TIRES. ALL SEEMED TO BE TIGHT. THERE WAS NO FLUID LEAKS COMING FROM THE BIKE. AS I FOUND THIS UNSUA,L AND WAS AWARE OF THE DRIVELINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL BIKE, I DECIDED TO CONTACT THIS SITE. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO RIDE THE BIKE ANY FURTHER UNTIL I FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LAST THING I NEED IS TO HAVE A MAJOR MALFUNCTION FAILURE WHILE OPERATING THE BIKE. I HAVE BEEN RIDING BIKES SINCE I WAS 16, AND NOW I'M 63. I RODE MOTORCYCLES FOR THE MANCHESTER, NH POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE MECHANICALS OF THESE UNITS. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10447116

Incident: July 10, 2010 · Filed: February 8, 2012

CROWN GEAR FAILURE IN THE PARALEVER FINAL DRIVE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10394429

Incident: April 6, 2011 · Filed: April 6, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K1200 RS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE DISCOVERED FUEL SPRAYING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE UNDER THE RECALL BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT THE COUPLING WAS ONLY INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Suspension; Power Train

ODI #10355723

Incident: September 12, 2010 · Filed: September 15, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K 1200 LTE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNDRIVABLE SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE NOISE WAS DUE TO A BUSTED RING AND PINION CAUSING GREASE TO SPILL ON TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL REGARDING THE RING AND PINION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE REAR SEAL FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR DRIVE GEAR TO LOSE LUBRICATION. UPDATED 03/28/11

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10279895

Incident: August 9, 2009 · Filed: August 10, 2009

BMW K1200LT MOTORCYCLE. QUICK DISCONNECTS (PLASTIC) ON FUEL LINES DETERIORATE AND LEAK FUEL. VERY DANGEROUS. NO FIRE BUT COULD HAVE BEEN ONE. WHEN FUEL LEAKS IT SPRAYS OVER RIGHT LEG AND FOOT. I WILL REPLACE WITH BRASS FITTINGS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10062720

Incident: March 20, 2004 · Filed: March 21, 2004

RECALL # 04V028000 AS OF TODAY 3/21/2004 MY BMW DEALER HAS NO INFORMATION ON THIS RECALL NOR HAVE I RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM BMW. MY DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL. BMW OF SALT LAKE CITY. I HAVE A FUEL SMELL ON COLD START. NO LEAK SEEN. *JB

Other BMW K Series model years

Check your 2003 BMW K Series VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW K Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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