2003 BMW R 1150 Gs Adventure recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE REAR BRAKE HOSE, THE HOSE MAY SPLIT OPEN DURING RIDING CONDITIONS IN WHICH A FULL EXTENSION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION OCCURS. IN SOME CASES, THE HOSE MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN ROUTED INCORRECTLY TO THE CALIPER AGGRAVATING THE CONDITION.
What could happen: AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN REAR BRAKE FAILURE. A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. IT WILL BE REROUTED ON MOTORCYCLES IN WHICH A HOSE OF THE NEW MATERIAL SPECIFICATION HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED. THE BRAKE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED AND REROUTED ON ALL OTHER AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1…
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 2003 R 1150 GS ADVENTURE.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V325000.
- 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: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE REAR BRAKE HOSE, THE HOSE MAY SPLIT OPEN DURING RIDING CONDITIONS IN WHICH A FULL EXTENSION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION OCCURS. IN SOME CASES, THE HOSE MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN ROUTED INCORRECTLY TO THE CALIPER AGGRAVATING THE CONDITION.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN REAR BRAKE FAILURE. A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. IT WILL BE REROUTED ON MOTORCYCLES IN WHICH A HOSE OF THE NEW MATERIAL SPECIFICATION HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED. THE BRAKE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED AND REROUTED ON ALL OTHER AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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 B…
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 2003 R 1150 GS ADVENTURE.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V319000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Notes: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2003 BMW R 1150 Gs Adventure owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (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)
10/07/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE THIRD REAR DRIVE FAILURE ON THE MY 2004/2003 1150 GSA MOTORCYCLE. THE LAST ONE HAPPENED IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. AND JUNE OF THIS YEAR THE FIRST TIME THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED IT HAPPENED IN AUGUST IN 2010 ON MY WAY HOME ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON, THIS PAST JUNE 2013 IT HAPPENED IN LOGAN UTAH AND THIS PAST FRIDAY OCTOBER 4 IT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 1…