1990 BMW K1 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BONDING TECHNIQUE USED BETWEEN THE PAD AND THE BACKING PLATE CAN RESULT IN A POROUS JOINT LAYER WHICH WATER AND SALT CAN PENETRATE, RESULTING IN CORROSION OF THE BACKING PLATE.
What could happen: THE FRONT BRAKE PADS CAN SEPARATE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELYFROM THE CORRODED BACKING PLATE, RESULTING IN DECREASED STOPPING ABILITY AND APOSSIBLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WITH NEW PADS UTILIZING A DIFFERENT BONDING METHOD WHICH ENSURES A NON-POROUS JOINT LAYER TO PREVENT WATER AND SALT PENETRATION OF THE BACKING PLATE.
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 1990 K1.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V081000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Summary: THE BONDING TECHNIQUE USED BETWEEN THE PAD AND THE BACKING PLATE CAN RESULT IN A POROUS JOINT LAYER WHICH WATER AND SALT CAN PENETRATE, RESULTING IN CORROSION OF THE BACKING PLATE.
Consequence: THE FRONT BRAKE PADS CAN SEPARATE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELYFROM THE CORRODED BACKING PLATE, RESULTING IN DECREASED STOPPING ABILITY AND APOSSIBLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WITH NEW PADS UTILIZING A DIFFERENT BONDING METHOD WHICH ENSURES A NON-POROUS JOINT LAYER TO PREVENT WATER AND SALT PENETRATION OF THE BACKING PLATE.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKE PADS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
01/08/2002 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK DEVELOPED VERY LARGE LEAK AND DRAINED COMPLETELY IN LESS THAN 2 HOURS. ACCORDING TO DEALER THIS IS NOT AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE FOR TYPE OF BIKE AT 10 YEARS OLD. LUCKLY I DO NOT HAVE ANY IGNITION SOURCES IN GARAGE SO NO FIRE RESULTED. LEAK BEGAN AFTER PLACING BIKE ON CENTER STAND AFTER MOVING TO CLEAN GARAGE. FULL TANK OF ~5 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS EVENT…