The 2003 BMW R 1150 R has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 515 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN02V3190002002-11-27515 affected
Defect
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.
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.
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…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“When starting the motorcycle consumer noticed fuel leaking from the fuel hose. *ak”
“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”
“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”
“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 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”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE03054 Opened 2003-12-01 · closed 2004-01-23
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A RECALL (04V-028).AN INFORMATION REQUEST(IR)RESPONSE WAS NOT RECEIVED. UPON BMW'S RECEIPT OF THE IR, AND AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH ODI, BMWDETERMINED THAT A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING CONTAINED WITHIN THE FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED.FURTHER,…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 BMW R 1150 R as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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