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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 BMW R1150 RT Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 BMW R1150 RT 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 RT".

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

2003 BMW R1150 RT owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW R1150 RT, describing incidents dated May 30, 2003 to September 23, 2006.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 2 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
  • Fuel System, Gasoline 1 complaint
  • Suspension 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10170314 · Filed

    DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY, LEAVING ONLY THE FOG LIGHTS TO GET ME HOME. DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY.

  • ODI #10089009 · Filed

    ACTUAL MODEL IS RT1150P NOT LISTED ON MODEL LIST. ALTENATOR BELT BROKE, CAUSING ALTENATOR FAILURE AND LOW VOLTAGE WHICH NEGATED POWER BRAKES LEAVING ME WITH RESIDUAL BRAKING ABOUT 40% OF NORMAL BREAKING AT BEST. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND ROLLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRUCK WHO WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME BY…

  • ODI #10067769 · Filed

    RECALL REMEDY FAILURE. 04V-028. DEALER RE-CRIMPED THE CRIMP CLAMPS PER BMW'S INSTRUCTIONS. STILL LEAKED SUBSTANTIALLY AT 4.2 BAR WHEN SYSTEM PRESSURE-CHECKED. SOME CONCERN THAT PLASTIC COMPONENTS DEFORM PREVENTING FULL CRIMP CLAMP LOAD. REPLACED OE CRIMP CLAMPS WITH EALIER VERSION, OE, SCREW…

Read all 5 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 BMW R1150 RT 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.

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).

Other BMW R1150 RT model years

Check your 2003 BMW R1150 RT VIN

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

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