1986 BMW K75 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THROTTLE CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION RESULTING IN A BEND OR A KINK OR CHAFING AND FRAYING OF THE BRAIDED WIRE CABLE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THROTTLE OPERATION COULD BE IMPAIRED REQUIRING INCREASED EFFORT TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE THROTTLE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
What could happen:
The fix: REPLACE THROTTLE CABLES, AS REQUIRED, MODIFYING TO ASSURE CABLES CANNOT BEND.
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 1986 K75.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V080000.
- 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: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: THROTTLE CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION RESULTING IN A BEND OR A KINK OR CHAFING AND FRAYING OF THE BRAIDED WIRE CABLE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THROTTLE OPERATION COULD BE IMPAIRED REQUIRING INCREASED EFFORT TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE THROTTLE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence:
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE CABLES, AS REQUIRED, MODIFYING TO ASSURE CABLES CANNOT BEND.
Notes: SYSTEM: THROTTLE CABLE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. LOWER PART OF SPRING/DAMPER UNIT EYELET, WHICH ATTACHES TO THE REAR DRIVE UNIT, COULD CRACK.
What could happen: IN EXTREME CASES, SPRING DAMPER COULD DETACH FROM REARDRIVE ALLOWING REAR OF MOTORCYCLE TO DROP ONTO REAR TIRE, CAUSING DRAG ON TIREAND UNSTABLE HANDLING.
The fix: REPLACE EYELET WITH A STRENGTHENED ONE.
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 1986 K75.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V193000.
- 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: SUSPENSION:REAR
Summary: LOWER PART OF SPRING/DAMPER UNIT EYELET, WHICH ATTACHES TO THE REAR DRIVE UNIT, COULD CRACK.
Consequence: IN EXTREME CASES, SPRING DAMPER COULD DETACH FROM REARDRIVE ALLOWING REAR OF MOTORCYCLE TO DROP ONTO REAR TIRE, CAUSING DRAG ON TIREAND UNSTABLE HANDLING.
Remedy: REPLACE EYELET WITH A STRENGTHENED ONE.
Notes: SYSTEM: REAR SPRING/DAMPER UNIT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (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)
09/18/2009 · Vehicle Speed Control
THIS IS AN ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 86V080000. THE VIN OF MY MOTORCYCLE FALLS IN THE RANGE OF VINS IDENTIFIED IN THE CAMPAIGN. MY MOTORCYCLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES ON IT SINCE NEW, AND NO FACTORY RECALL SERVICE HAS EVER BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK THE OTHER DAY IN A FULL-OPEN POSITION WHILE PASS…