NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 BMW R 1150 RS Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 BMW R 1150 RS has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 1 owner complaint 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 R 1150 RS. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 BMW R 1150 RS owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW R 1150 RS, describing incidents dated May 15, 2008.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10228173 · Filed May 19, 2008
MY MOTORCYLE HAD A GUSHING FUEL LEAK OVER THE ENGINE FROM A BROKEN "FUEL LINE QUICK RELEASE COUPLING" MADE FROM A PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM...THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE/DEFECT IN THE COUPLING. BMW HAS RECENTLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND IS CHANGING TO A METAL COUPLING. I…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 BMW R 1150 RS 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 MOTORCYCLE/TRANSMISSION GEARBOX

NHTSA #02V319000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported November 27, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 515 vehicles

Owners notified December 5, 2002 · Vehicles built September 1, 2002 – October 31, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN 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 R 1150 RS. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW R 1150 RS.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10228173

Incident: May 15, 2008 · Filed: May 19, 2008

MY MOTORCYLE HAD A GUSHING FUEL LEAK OVER THE ENGINE FROM A BROKEN "FUEL LINE QUICK RELEASE COUPLING" MADE FROM A PLASTIC MATERIAL. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM...THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE/DEFECT IN THE COUPLING. BMW HAS RECENTLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND IS CHANGING TO A METAL COUPLING. I CORRECTED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE BROKEN-PLASTIC COUPLING TO A METAL COUPLING. BMW RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT BY SAYING THE NEW MODELS HAVE THE METAL COUPLING AND MY MODEL IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE - I THINK THIS IS A "RECALL" ISSUE. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WITH A FUEL LEAK OVER THE ENGINE DURING OPERATION.

Check your 2003 BMW R 1150 RS VIN

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

Check a BMW VIN