NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 BMW R1150 R Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 BMW R1150 R has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 5 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 "R 1150 R".

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 BMW R1150 R. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 BMW R1150 R owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW R1150 R, describing incidents dated July 18, 2003 to February 4, 2007.

Most-cited components

Engine and Engine Cooling 2 complaints
Fuel System, Other 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10187824 · Filed April 13, 2007
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…
ODI #10054272 · Filed January 16, 2004
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…
ODI #10053511 · Filed January 7, 2004
WHEN STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL HOSE. *AK

Read all 5 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 BMW R1150 R 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 R 1150 R
- 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 R1150 R. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW R1150 R.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10187824

Incident: February 4, 2007 · Filed: April 13, 2007

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. UPDATE 5/3/07*TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10054272

Incident: January 16, 2004 · Filed: January 16, 2004

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

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10053511

Incident: December 20, 2003 · Filed: January 7, 2004

WHEN STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL HOSE. *AK

Fuel System, Other; Power Train

ODI #10042617

Incident: October 1, 2003 · Filed: October 8, 2003

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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10028599

Incident: July 18, 2003 · Filed: July 18, 2003

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

Other BMW R1150 R model years

Check your 2003 BMW R1150 R VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW R1150 R at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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