The 2003 BMW R 1150 Rt has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 515 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 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:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
SUSPENSION
1
Total complaints5
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“Stalling while riding in the rain. Would restart after waiting a few moments. Happened at least 8 times. Dealer could not find problem. Then, while riding in traffic during dry weather stalled and would not restart. Towed to dealer. Ignition coil replaced.*ak”
“2003 bmw r 1150 rt motorcycle pulls to the right, I feel this is a safety hazard if you do not keep pressure to the left on the handle bars it will lean itself to the right and run off the road. Also it has excessive tire wear. I spoke with bmw and they said this is a characteristic of these…”
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 Rt as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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