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2002 BMW R Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
0
20000
20018
20020
20034
20043
2005
Compare all R Series years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
3Power Train
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Structure
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: 7 of 8 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 →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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

Structure complaints

1 reports
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45,000 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Structure

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 RECEIVE ANY PAPER WORK TO FILL…

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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 RECEIVE ANY PAPER WORK TO FILL OUT. UPDATED 12/27/10 UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 01/27/11

NHTSA ODI #10362823

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

PE07031 · Motorcycle Fires

Opened Jun 21, 2007 · Closed Oct 23, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

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 MANUAL ADMONITION: WARNING:DO NOT KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT A STANDSTILL -- RISK OF OVERHEATING AND FIRE.EACH OF THE ALLEGED FIRES OCCURRED WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED AND IDLING.ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY STRUCTURE FIRES WHERE A MELTED SIGHT GLASS IS THE ROOT CAUSE.OF THE EIGHT KNOWN FIRES, ONE OCCURRED IN 2000, THREE IN 2004 AND AGAIN IN 2005, AND ONE IN FEBRUARY, 2007.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE AN ELEVATED FIRE-RELATED INSURANCE CLAIMS HISTORY. BASED ON THE LOW INCIDENCE RATE, IT APPEARS BMW'S WARNING IS EFFECTIVE AND NO DEFECT TREND IS IDENTIFIED.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES APPEARS UNWARRANTED.THIS INVESTIGATION'S CLOSING DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A NHTSA FINDING THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS AND WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.