2013 BMW F800 Gs recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8546224, sold for use on model year 2014-2018 S1000R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8551929, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 S1000XR motorcycles, Windscreen model number 855…
What could happen: The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 F800 GS.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18E016000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Accessory Windscreens, sold for installation on various motorcycles. Specifically being recalled is Windscreen model number 8531917, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F700GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8544629, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8546224, sold for use on model year 2014-2018 S1000R motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8551929, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 S1000XR motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8554726, sold for use on model year 2013-2018 R1200GS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8554727 sold for use on model year 2014-2018 R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8556927, sold for use on model year 2015-2018 R1200RS motorcycles, Windscreen model number 8559548, sold for use on model year 2017-2018 R1200GS motorcycles and Windscreen model number 8561755, sold for use on model year 2012-2018 F800GS motorcycles. These windscreens have extra tinting on them that may reduce the rider's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Consequence: The darker windscreen can inhibit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windscreen, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 10, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
What could happen: If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 F800 GS.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V481000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Water may enter the side-stand switch preventing the motorcycle from starting or potentially shutting off the motorcycle while it is being ridden.
What could happen: An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side-stand switch, free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 F800 GS.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V065000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-831-1117.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 C 600 Sport, C 650 GT, F 700 GS, F 800 GS, F 800 GS Adventure, F 800 GT, R 1200 R and R1200 GS motorcycles. Water may enter the side-stand switch preventing the motorcycle from starting or potentially shutting off the motorcycle while it is being ridden.
Consequence: An unexpected shutdown increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side-stand switch, free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
4. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. The side-stand switch that prevents the engine from running while the side-stand is down may become damaged allowing the engine to run with the side-stand down.
What could happen: The rider may start riding with the side-stand down, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners and dealers will secure the side-stand switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 F800 GS.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V279000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 F700 GS and F800 GS motorcycles manufactured June 1, 2012, through October 18, 2012. The side-stand switch that prevents the engine from running while the side-stand is down may become damaged allowing the engine to run with the side-stand down.
Consequence: The rider may start riding with the side-stand down, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will secure the side-stand switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2013 BMW F800 Gs owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (5), Brakes (1), Electrical system (1), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
04/28/2017 · Brakes
BMW HAS MADE A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE. IT CRACKS FREQUENTLY. THOUGH THEY WARRANTY THE TANK, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM ON MY THIRD TANK. SECONDLY, THE REAR BRAKE CONTINUES TO LOCK UP FOR NO REASON. I HAVE HAD IT WITH THREE MECHANICS IN A YEAR AND NO ONE CAN FIX. IT LOCKED UP TODAY AS I WAS RIDING.
07/27/2016 · Fuel system
UPON INSPECTION I SAW THE GAP AROUND THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED. NO MOVEMENT DURING INSPECTION
06/09/2014 · Fuel system
MOTORCYCLE FUEL TANK HAS SEVERE CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES, IT APPEARS THAT ITS A DESIGN FLAW, BMW MOTORAD OF NORTH AMERICA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS, TANKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE 3 YEAR BMW WARRANTY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM APPEARS NOT BE GOING AWAY AND THE NEW PARTS CRACK ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT. *TR
05/05/2014 · Fuel system
VEHICLE GAS TANK HAS CRACKED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER BEING REPLACED. SPLIT OCCURS UNDERNEATH SEAT OF MOTORCYCLE. *TR
09/14/2013 · Electrical system
WHILE RIDING ALONG A BUSY HIGHWAY (522) IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE ENGINE UNCONTROLLABLY AND REPEATEDLY DIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT A BRIEF OWNERSHIP AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE BMW DEALER WITHOUT RESOLVE OR ACCEPTANCE OF AN ISSUE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS DIED WHILE IN TRAFFIC CHANGING LANES IN A BUSY SEATTLE AREA WITH THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK…
09/13/2013 · Body / structure
THE GAS TANK COVER IS STRESSED CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES ON THE REAR TAIL FAIRING SECTION. IT IS A BLACK MOLDED PLASTIC. I NOTICED IT WHILE WASHING MY BIKE. MY BIKE IS 1 MONTH OLD WITH ONLY 68 MILES ON IT. *TR