NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2000–2003

BMW R 1150 GS recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 30 owner complaints for the BMW R 1150 GS, covering model years 2000 to 2003. The 2002 model year drew the most complaints (21), and Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW R 1150 GS VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

2 recall campaigns on file
30 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
4 model years with data (2000–2003)

most complaints: 2002 (21 for that model year)
top component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (12 complaints)
latest recall 02V319000 (reported Nov 27, 2002)

0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
1 complaint reporting a fire (3.3%)
1 complaint reporting an injury (3.3%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW R 1150 GS complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2002 model year has the most complaints: 21 of 30, or 70.0%. Next come 2000 (3) and 2001 (3). The fewest are for 2003, with 3 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

BMW R 1150 GS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

BMW R 1150 GS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
2000	3	0	0
2001	3	0	0
2002	21	1	1
2003	3	0	0
All model years	30	1	1

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW R 1150 GS components

top 8 · NHTSA categories

Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the component named most often, in 12 complaints (40.0% of all 30), followed by Power Train (11) and Fuel System, Gasoline (3).

Components named most often in BMW R 1150 GS complaints (top 8)

Components named most often in BMW R 1150 GS complaints (top 8)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	12	40.0%
Power Train	11	36.7%
Fuel System, Gasoline	3	10.0%
Electrical System	1	3.3%
Fuel System, Other	1	3.3%
Seats	1	3.3%
Service Brakes, Air	1	3.3%
Tires	1	3.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW R 1150 GS recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name R 1150 GS, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2003. 4 model years tie for the most campaigns (1 each).

2 recall campaigns

BMW R 1150 GS recall campaigns covering each model year
2000: 1 campaign	2001: 1 campaign	2002: 1 campaign	2003: 1 campaign

NHTSA campaign 02V319000
Reported Nov 27, 2002
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Model year 2003
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:
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 01V246000
Reported Jul 31, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Model years 2000–2002
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The distance between the brake line and the speedometer drive cable could be too small. Due to compression and rebound of the fork, the speedometer cable could contact and chafe the brake line.
Consequence:
Brake fluid leakage could occur, resulting in a loss of front braking capability. If this happened, depending on traffic conditions and the rider's reactions, a crash could occur.
Remedy:
Dealers will measure the distance between the front brake line and speedometer cable. The brake line will be replaced if the distance to the speedometer cable is found to be too small or if it is damaged. A new protective sleeve will be installed in the speedometer cable near the front fender. Owner notification began December 18, 2001. 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 #5.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW R 1150 GS questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW R 1150 GS have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW R 1150 GS, covering model years 2000 to 2003. The most recent, 02V319000, was reported on November 27, 2002 and is filed under “Power train”.

Which BMW R 1150 GS model year has the most complaints?

The 2002 model year, with 21 of the 30 complaints in NHTSA’s file (70.0%). The next are 2000 (3) and 2001 (3). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW R 1150 GS complaint?

Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the component named most often: 12 complaints, or 40.0% of all 30. Power Train (11) and Fuel System, Gasoline (3) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW R 1150 GS?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW R 1150 GS complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 30 complaints, 0 report a crash, 1 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.