Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
9,100 miles · Apr 13, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
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 MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE BACK FIRE …
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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 MORE THAN ONE TIME. THE BACK FIRE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 4500 RPMS IN 6TH GEAR. THE BACK FIRE CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THIS MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE, HE IS EXPERIENCING MODERATE ENGINE SURGING AND SOME OIL CONSUMPTION. UPDATE 5/3/07*TR
NHTSA ODI #10187824
7,700 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
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 DRIPPED DOWN ONTO THE HOT EXHAU…
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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 DRIPPED DOWN ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10054272
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2004
Fuel System, Other
WHEN STARTING THE MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL HOSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053511
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2003
Fuel System, OtherPower Train
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
NHTSA ODI #10042617
100 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
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 & remedy
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 BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE03054 · Fuel Line Leakage
Opened Dec 1, 2003 · Closed Jan 23, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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, THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM INVOLVING CRIMP-TYPE HOSE CLAMPS, WHICH CAN ALSO RESULT IN A SMALL FUEL LEAK.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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004.
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