NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 BMW R 1150 GS Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 BMW R 1150 GS has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 21 owner complaints on file as of October 24, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

Includes campaigns NHTSA files under the spelling "R1150GS".

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 BMW R 1150 GS. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 BMW R 1150 GS owner complaints

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW R 1150 GS, describing incidents dated May 30, 2001 to June 2, 2020.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes, Hydraulic 11 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline 3 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel System, Other 1 complaint
Seats 1 complaint

Of the 21 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire; across all 21 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11327171 · Filed June 3, 2020
SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL FIRE LED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER STARTUP. *TR
ODI #10456593 · Filed April 26, 2012
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…
ODI #10204247 · Filed September 27, 2007
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…

Read all 21 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 BMW R 1150 GS 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 · Filed for the R1150GS
- Recall 04V-028

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

BMW/FRONT BRAKE LINE

NHTSA #01V246000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported July 31, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 2,997 vehicles

Owners notified December 18, 2001 · Vehicles built May 1, 1999 – June 30, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

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 2002 BMW R 1150 GS. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

21 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW R 1150 GS.

Electrical System

ODI #11327171

Fire 1 injury

Incident: June 2, 2020 · Filed: June 3, 2020

SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL FIRE LED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER STARTUP. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10456593

Incident: April 20, 2012 · Filed: April 26, 2012

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 TRAFFIC AND THAT THE BIKE'S REAR WHEEL DID NOT LOCK UP. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATALITY IF I WERE TO HAVE BEEN THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND / OR REAR ENDED BY OTHER VEHICLES UPON MY RAPID DECELERATION. THERE WAS A NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION RECALL OF SIMILAR BIKES BUILT AROUND THE SAME TIME (SEE NUMBER: 02V319000). ALTHOUGH MY MOTORCYCLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND ASSEMBLED AT OR NEAR THE SAME TIME, MY LOCAL BMW DEALER OR BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THAT MY BMW MOTORCYCLE HAS SEVERE DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, AND OR MATERIAL DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE EXAMINED IN MORE DETAIL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. A CURSORY REVIEW OF THE INTERNET REVEALS SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF RELATED MOTORCYCLES BUILT BY BMW. I URGE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ASSOCIATION TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE NOTICE TO OTHER CONSUMERS THAT MAY BE UNAWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10204247

Incident: August 21, 2007 · Filed: September 27, 2007

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.

Power Train

ODI #10168484

Incident: April 18, 2005 · Filed: September 18, 2006

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

Power Train

ODI #10093667

Incident: October 2, 2004 · Filed: October 5, 2004

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 INEFFECTIVE. THE BIKE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10071616

Incident: February 25, 2004 · Filed: June 4, 2004

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

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10041059

Incident: October 1, 2003 · Filed: October 1, 2003

GAS LEAK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Power Train

ODI #10025621

Incident: June 21, 2003 · Filed: July 8, 2003

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10006561

Filed: February 12, 2003

THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK *JB

Seats

ODI #8013759

Incident: June 26, 2002 · Filed: July 11, 2002

CONSUMER'S MOTORCYCLE HAS SAME PROBLEM WITH SEAT BACKREST AS STATED IN RECALL 00 V 289 000, BUT RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR AN EARLIER YEAR MODEL, AND THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED. *AK

Other BMW R 1150 GS model years

Check your 2002 BMW R 1150 GS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW R 1150 GS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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