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: 2 of 3 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.
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. 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
3 reports
77,349 miles · Aug 8, 2012
Power Train
HAVING SUFFERED MY FIRST FINAL DRIVE FAILURE 30,000 MILES AGO, KNEW I WAS FEELING THE SAME GRINDING VIBRATION THROUGH MY SEAT AS THE PREVIOUS FAILURE. NO CHOICE BUT TO RIDE THE 55 MILES HOME. AFTER THE CYCLE COOLED, I PULLED THE FINAL DRIVE DRAIN PLUG AND OUT OOZED A SILVERY, SLURRY MIXTURE....REMNANTS OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING…
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HAVING SUFFERED MY FIRST FINAL DRIVE FAILURE 30,000 MILES AGO, KNEW I WAS FEELING THE SAME GRINDING VIBRATION THROUGH MY SEAT AS THE PREVIOUS FAILURE. NO CHOICE BUT TO RIDE THE 55 MILES HOME. AFTER THE CYCLE COOLED, I PULLED THE FINAL DRIVE DRAIN PLUG AND OUT OOZED A SILVERY, SLURRY MIXTURE....REMNANTS OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARINGS. WHILE I AM THRILLED MY CYCLE BROUGHT ME HOME, IT WAS A BIT HARROWING AS IT FEELS AS IF THE REAR WHEEL WAS GOING TO FALL OFF! PRONOUNCED WOBBLE OF THE TIRE/WHEEL, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SECURELY BOLTED TO THE HUB. BMW HAS A REAL PROBLEM! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469710
500 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Exterior Lighting
CRACKING TAIL LIGHT BEZEL AND TURN SIGNAL STALKS REPEATEDLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023659
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Power Train
DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN 4TH GEAR OR DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR TRAVELING 65 TO 70 EXTREME VIBRATION CAUSING EXCESSIVE FATIGUE WITHIN A HOUR OF DRIVING. BMW DEALERS AND REPRESENITAVES SAY IT IS DESIGNED TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY COPYED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS ISSUE MAKES THE BIKE UNUSABLE FOR TRIPS AND ANY HIG…
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DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN 4TH GEAR OR DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR TRAVELING 65 TO 70 EXTREME VIBRATION CAUSING EXCESSIVE FATIGUE WITHIN A HOUR OF DRIVING. BMW DEALERS AND REPRESENITAVES SAY IT IS DESIGNED TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY COPYED HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS ISSUE MAKES THE BIKE UNUSABLE FOR TRIPS AND ANY HIGHWAY DRIVING EXPECIALLY AT NIGHT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757570
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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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