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2003 BMW K Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
6Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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20001
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2004
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
3Power Train
3Suspension
1

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: 6 of 6 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. 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

Power Train complaints

3 reports
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49,990 miles · Oct 5, 2013
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN OF THE BIKE. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A SMALL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. IT COULD BE FELT IN THE SEAT AND FOOTPEGS. AS I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING WHICH COULD BE CHECKED WITHOUT TAKING ANYTHING APART. EVE…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, A NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN OF THE BIKE. AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A SMALL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. IT COULD BE FELT IN THE SEAT AND FOOTPEGS. AS I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING WHICH COULD BE CHECKED WITHOUT TAKING ANYTHING APART. EVERYTHING THING WAS FINE INCLUDING THE WHEELS AND TIRES. ALL SEEMED TO BE TIGHT. THERE WAS NO FLUID LEAKS COMING FROM THE BIKE. AS I FOUND THIS UNSUA,L AND WAS AWARE OF THE DRIVELINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL BIKE, I DECIDED TO CONTACT THIS SITE. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO RIDE THE BIKE ANY FURTHER UNTIL I FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LAST THING I NEED IS TO HAVE A MAJOR MALFUNCTION FAILURE WHILE OPERATING THE BIKE. I HAVE BEEN RIDING BIKES SINCE I WAS 16, AND NOW I'M 63. I RODE MOTORCYCLES FOR THE MANCHESTER, NH POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE MECHANICALS OF THESE UNITS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546834

35,116 miles · Feb 8, 2012
Power Train

CROWN GEAR FAILURE IN THE PARALEVER FINAL DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447116

54,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Power TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K 1200 LTE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNDRIVABLE SO T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW K 1200 LTE . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE REAR WHEEL SUDDENLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNDRIVABLE SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THE NOISE WAS DUE TO A BUSTED RING AND PINION CAUSING GREASE TO SPILL ON TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HE NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL REGARDING THE RING AND PINION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE REAR SEAL FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE REAR DRIVE GEAR TO LOSE LUBRICATION. UPDATED 03/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10355723

Official recalls

1

04V028000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jan 15, 2004

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 & remedy

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 CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

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.