The 2002 BMW R Series has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 39,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE O-RING IN FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST ALL CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS. ALSO, ALL FUEL LINE QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLINGS WILL BE INSPECTED. IF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE QUICK-DISCONNECT O-RING WILL BE REPLACED. IF DAMAGED, THE COUPLING WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD…
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2
POWER TRAIN
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Earlier in the week the abs failure lights came on and then the brakes stopped working effectively. There is a backup "residual braking" of about 15%. I survived because I was not in traffic and did not need a serious stop. I had it "fixed" at the dealer on saturday. The lights were out and the…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw r1150rt.. While starting the motorcycle, the kickstand bent and it fell over. The motorcycle was taken home where the contact repaired it himself. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 51,000. Updated 12/20/10 *bf the consumer stated he did not…”
“Clutch to transmission input shaft splines failed on my 2002 bmw r1150rt motorcycle. Sudden loss of power due to failure of the splines which connect the clutch plate to the transmission input shaft. Fortunately I was on a side street which wasn't busy and near home. No accident resulted due to…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw r1150rt motorcycle. While driving approximately 70 mph, the contact noticed fuel was leaking from the connecting sleeve to the fluid line. In addition, fuel began leaking onto the hot cylinder. This was the second instance of the failure. The vehicle was not taken…”
“Final drive crown bearing failed. Excess axle movement damaged seal, final drive oil leaked out over tire, oil on motorcycle tire is dangerous. I was lucky. There is lots on internet activity on this, there have been crashes and fires reported but I do not have personal knowledge of any. Vehicle…”
“Quick disconnect fuel line fitting failure (fractured for no special reason while riding motorcycle) was not damaged or misused in any way. Gasoline was spilling onto hot catalytic converter, but no fire. *jb”
“2002 bmw r1150r fuel leak problem/ fuel line recall.*mr the consumer stated the motorcycle developed a fuel leak during operation that resulted in gasoline being sprayed onto the engine block as well as the consumer leg. The consumer had the motorcycle towed and upon inspection, the consumer was…”
“Operating under normal driving condition at speed below 40 mph. Vehicle loss all power from engine to transmission. Engine still operates and revs normally, but no engine power is transferred to transmission. Transmission still shift proper into each gear in the gearbox. Vehicle towed to main line…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE07031 Opened 2007-06-21 · closed 2007-10-23
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
UNLIKE MOST MOTORCYCLES, WHERE A SIGHT GLASS IS USED TO DETERMINE ENGINE OIL LEVEL, THE SUBJECT, AIR-COOLED, MOTORCYCLES ARE BUILT BY BMW WITH A POLYMER (PLASTIC) SIGHT GLASS THAT, IN SOME INSTANCES, MELTS DUE TO HIGH ENGINE/OIL TEMPERATURE.THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS OPERATED CONTRARY TO BMW'S OWNER…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW R Series as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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