NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 BMW R1150 R Recalls & Complaints

The 2004 BMW R1150 R has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 9 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 2004 BMW R1150 R. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2004 BMW R1150 R owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW R1150 R, describing incidents dated August 23, 2006 to April 9, 2014.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
Power Train 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 9 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10582823 · Filed April 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150R. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE FAILURE WAS NOT…
ODI #10507137 · Filed April 4, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS BIKE LAST OCTOBER, AND UPON GETTING IT HOME SMELLED GAS, I DID GET A REPORT FROM THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD THE BIKE WHAT HAD BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY, ETC. IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. I TRIED 3 NEW O RINGS, A USED FUEL PUMP…
ODI #10459084 · Filed May 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150 R. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES QUICK DISCONNECT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND INSTALLED A BRASS CLAMP IN THE FUEL LINE TO STOP THE LEAK. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID…

Read all 9 complaints

BMW/MOTORCYCLES/FRONT SPRING STRUT

NHTSA #04V235000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 84 vehicles

Owners notified June 1, 2004 · Vehicles built October 1, 2003 – November 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER STUD BOLT WELD CAN FAIL. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BREAK.

Safety consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RIDER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SPRING STRUT. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING JUNE 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.

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 2004 BMW R1150 R. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW R1150 R.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10582823

Fire

Incident: April 9, 2014 · Filed: April 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150R. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500. UPDATED 07/03/14 MA UPDATED 07/08/2014 *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10507137

Incident: November 1, 2012 · Filed: April 4, 2013

I PURCHASED THIS BIKE LAST OCTOBER, AND UPON GETTING IT HOME SMELLED GAS, I DID GET A REPORT FROM THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD THE BIKE WHAT HAD BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY, ETC. IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. I TRIED 3 NEW O RINGS, A USED FUEL PUMP BASE PLATE ASSEMBLY AND WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A LIGHT WEEPING, THERE WAS ALSO INDICATIONS OF LONG TERM WEEPING THAT HAD DISCOLORED THE PAINT. I FINALLY TOOK THE TANK OFF AGAIN AND EXAMINED THE INSIDE WITH A MIRROR AND DISCOVERED 3 SMALL CRACKS ON THE BACK OF WHERE THE THREADED CERTS ARE FORMED INTO THE TANK DURING MANUFACTURER. I HAVE SINCE SCOTCH BRIGHTENED THEM AND APPLIED 3 COATS OF SEAL-ALL WHICH SEEMS TO BE HOLDING SO FAR, IT'S BEEN 5 DAYS. I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL TANK BUT PRESUME IT WAS THE SAME DEFECT AND THE DEALER NOT KNOWING INSTALLED ANOTHER DEFECTIVE TANK. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID SMELL SOME GAS PERIODICALLY BUT DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. I DO HAVE PICTURES OF THE TANK SHOWING THE CRACKS AND STAINING. I AM NOT SEEKING ANY DAMAGES BUT FEEL THERE COULD BE OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CONDITIONS. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10459084

Incident: May 21, 2011 · Filed: May 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150 R. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES QUICK DISCONNECT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND INSTALLED A BRASS CLAMP IN THE FUEL LINE TO STOP THE LEAK. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10419900

Incident: July 1, 2011 · Filed: August 17, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R1150(N/A). THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE IN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE ABS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/11/2011 *LN *TR

Power Train

ODI #10405347

Incident: April 11, 2011 · Filed: June 6, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150 GS ADVENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND WHEN THE SPEED INCREASE TO 40 MPH THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO SHIFT AND BACK UP, BUT THE GRINDING NOISE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE SPLINE INPUT SHAFT HAD SEVERE WEAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CLUTCH PLATE WAS STRIPPED AS WELL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 33,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10398391

Incident: April 21, 2011 · Filed: May 1, 2011

AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK 10 MILES AWAY, I PARKED MY CYCLE IN THE GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY MY WIFE COULD SMELL GAS ON ME AND FUMES IN THE GARAGE. I CHECKED THE BIKE AND COULD SEE YELLOW FUEL STAINS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I COULD ONLY FIND THE LEAK WHEN THE KEY WAS ON AND THE FUEL PUMP FORCING FUEL THROUGH LINES BEHIND THE SHIELD. I REMOVED THE SHIELD AND FOUND ONE QUICK DISCONNECT SEPARATED. I ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT IT BUT SOON REALIZED IT WAS BROKEN. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD A METAL REPLACEMENT TO THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC ONE THAT ALWAYS BREAKS. I ASKED HIM IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND HE STATED NO. SO I BOUGHT BOTH FITTINGS AND CLAMPS. $66. I HAVE YET TO PUT THEM ON. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT OFFICIALLY THERE IN FACT WAS SOME SORT OF RECALL FOR THIS. I WILL CONTACT THE BMW DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY AND VOICE A COMPLAINT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE OFFERED TO DO THE REPAIR. ONLY 8800 MILES ON THIS BIKE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10345266

Incident: July 24, 2010 · Filed: July 26, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150R MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. THE CONTACT HAD RECENTLY REFUELED THE MOTORCYCLE. WHEN HE CAME TO A STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE AND THE QUICK DISCONNECT. HE THEN NOTICED A SLEEVE WAS FRACTURED. THE GASOLINE SPEWED ALL OVER THE CONTACT'S AND THE PASSENGER'S CLOTHING. HE THEN NOTICED A FUEL STAIN ON THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,020. UPDATED 9/22/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BIKE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 09/24/10

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10227198

Incident: May 6, 2008 · Filed: May 10, 2008

I WAS STARTING AND BOARDING MY MOTORCYCLE AS NORMALLY USED. THE DAY WAS BRIGHT AND SUNNY AND ABOUT 70 DEGREES F. FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT CYLINDER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE QUICK DISCONNECT FUEL LINE FITTING HAD BEGUN TO LEAK GASOLINE. THE FUEL WAS COLLECTING ON THE CYLINDER HEAD AND POURING ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPING. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND STEPPED BACK FROM THE BIKE. LUCKILY NO FIRE ENSUED BUT THE BIKE AND I WERE COVERED IN RAW GAS. I HAD A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK TRANSPORT THE BIKE TO A LOCAL BMW DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND I WAS CHARGED $102 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE QUICK DISCONNECT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THIS IS A "COMMON" ISSUE WITH THIS BIKE. THIS COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH WORSE IN MANY WAYS. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY SUCH CONDITION. I AM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10166367

Incident: August 23, 2006 · Filed: August 23, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FUEL BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL CUT OFF VALVE CORRODED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE PART HAS BEEN ORDERED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB

Other BMW R1150 R model years

Check your 2004 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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