2004 BMW R1150 R recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER STUD BOLT WELD CAN FAIL. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BREAK.
What could happen: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RIDER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SPRING STRUT. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING JUNE 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
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 2004 R1150 R.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V235000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-331-1117.
- 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: SUSPENSION
Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER STUD BOLT WELD CAN FAIL. THIS COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BREAK.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RIDER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SPRING STRUT. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING JUNE 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
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).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2004 BMW R1150 R owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (7), Gasoline (5), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1), 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 (8)
04/15/2014 · Fuel system · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150R. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MOTORCYCLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH…
04/04/2013 · Fuel system
I PURCHASED THIS BIKE LAST OCTOBER, AND UPON GETTING IT HOME SMELLED GAS, I DID GET A REPORT FROM THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD THE BIKE WHAT HAD BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY, ETC. IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. I TRIED 3 NEW O RINGS, A USED FUEL PUMP BASE PLATE ASSEMBLY AND WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A LIGHT WEEPIN…
05/21/2012 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150 R. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES QUICK DISCONNECT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AND INSTALLED A BRASS CLAMP IN THE FUEL LINE TO STOP THE LEAK. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V028000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/P…
08/17/2011 · Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW R1150(N/A). THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE IN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE ABS UNIT WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/11/2011 *LN *TR
06/06/2011 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150 GS ADVENTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND WHEN THE SPEED INCREASE TO 40 MPH THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO SHIFT AND BACK UP, BUT THE GRINDING NOISE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE SPLINE I…
05/01/2011 · Fuel system
AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK 10 MILES AWAY, I PARKED MY CYCLE IN THE GARAGE AND IMMEDIATELY MY WIFE COULD SMELL GAS ON ME AND FUMES IN THE GARAGE. I CHECKED THE BIKE AND COULD SEE YELLOW FUEL STAINS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I COULD ONLY FIND THE LEAK WHEN THE KEY WAS ON AND THE FUEL PUMP FORCING FUEL THROUGH LINES BEHIND THE SHIELD. I REMOVED THE S…
07/26/2010 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW R1150R MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR. THE CONTACT HAD RECENTLY REFUELED THE MOTORCYCLE. WHEN HE CAME TO A STOP, THE CONTACT NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE AND THE QUICK DISCONNECT. HE THEN NOTICED A SLEEVE WAS FRACTURED. THE GASOLINE SPEWE…
05/10/2008 · Fuel system
I WAS STARTING AND BOARDING MY MOTORCYCLE AS NORMALLY USED. THE DAY WAS BRIGHT AND SUNNY AND ABOUT 70 DEGREES F. FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT CYLINDER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE QUICK DISCONNECT FUEL LINE FITTING HAD BEGUN TO LEAK GASOLINE. THE FUEL WAS COLLECTING ON THE CYLINDER HEAD AND POURING ONTO THE…