Bmw BMW MOTORCYCLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
40,810 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 2001 model years. Data updated: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 44 complaints (13.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 6; Power Train: 5; Power Train:Driveline: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Electrical System: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 2; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 9; 2004: 6; 2005: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480348 · 1995-02-06 (February 6, 1995)
NOISY BRAKES CAUSE VEHICLE TO PULL WHEN APPLIED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141124 · 2005-10-28 (October 28, 2005)
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT WHICH DUPLICATES VOQ #101404137 MY 1997 BMW F650 MORTORCYCLE SLIPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT DID THIS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND TOOK IT TO FRANK'S BMW MOTORCYCLES IN ESSEX JCT VT FOR SERVICE. LESTER PELKEY (OWNER) SAID IT WAS OPERATOR ERROR WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HE SAID IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR HIM. I CAN DOWN SHIFT INTO FIRST, LET THE BIKE RUN IN 1ST UP TO A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, STOP, AND SOMETIMES IT SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL, AND SOMETIMES IT WAITS UNTIL I'VE STARTED UP AGA…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028413 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)
TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE FAILED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039023 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
ELECTRICAL COMPONENT (HALL IGNITIONS SENSOR ASSEMBLY) FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350626 · 2010-08-19 (August 19, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW F-650 (NA). WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER REP ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET BATTERY AND THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 3/7/11 *…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 761770 · 2002-05-10 (May 10, 2002)
ALUMUMIN FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED SPIDER CRACKS ON BOTTOM OF TANK AND LEAKS. VARIOUS BMW DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW ALUMUMINUN TANKS, BUT THE BIKE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 761770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502892 · 1996-03-23 (March 23, 1996)
FUEL PUMP FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10542418 · 2013-09-07 (September 7, 2013)
STRUCK A LARGE POT HOLE ON A CITY STREET. AS EXPECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COMPRESSED BUT THE FRONT FENDER (TRAILING SECTION) CAUGHT IN THE ENGINE COWLING AS THE SUSPENSION DECOMPRESSED. THIS MAKES THE STEERING RESTRICTED TO MOVEMENTS OF ABOUT +/- 10 DEGREES WITH SIGNIFICANT FRICTION IN THE STEERING OVER THIS RANGE. THIS MAKES THE BIKE VERY UNSTABLE ON TURNS! THE REPAIR IS TO STOP AND REMOVE THE FRONT TRAILING FENDER FROM THE COWLING BY REMOVING THE BOLTS HOLDING IT TO THE FRONT FORK AND THEN REATTACHING FENDER IN THE CORRECT POSITION. TYP…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10542418 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1992: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0
Year-by-year records
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
44 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1988 | 1989 | 1992 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10208084 · 26,897 miTHREE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME A GRINDING SOUND STARTED BEING AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR OF THE BIKE. I STOPPED AFTER IT CONTINUED AND FAILED TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DRY AND NO APPARENT LEAKS ANYWHERE. I CONTINUED AND THE GRINDING BECAME LOUDER. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AND THIS TIME SEEN A FEW SPOTS OF OIL ON THE REAR WHEEL. CONTINUED INVESTIGATION SHOWED GEAR OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE. I CONTINUED A SHORT WAY AND THE SOUND BECAME MUCH LOUDER AND THE REAR OF THE… | 323.1%ODI 10067913 · 30,000 miREAR DRIVE BEARING FAILURE, SECOND ONE IN 13,000 MILES. REAR DRIVE WAS NOTICABLY LOUD. HARMONIC GROWLING NOISE. I DISSASEMBLED IT AND THE LARGE BALL BEARING IS PITTED. THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE CATASTOPHIC FAILURE. I PURCHASED A USED REAR DRIVE AND WILL REBUILD MY OLD ONE SO I CAN CARRY A SPARE. (PRETTY SAD WHEN A BMW PILOT HAS TO CARRY A SPARE REAR DRIVE).*AK | 215.4%ODI 10041049 · 30,884 miREAR DRIVE FAILURE. MC LET US SITE WHEN SOME THING BROKE. THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID THE THE TEETH SWHEERED OFF OF THE PINON GEAR. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10038701 · 70,163 miFINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON 1997 K1100 LT BMW MOTORCYCLE. HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 295 AT 70 MPH, FINAL DRIVE LET GO WITH NO WARNING. WAS ABLE (BARELY) TO KEEP IN CONTROL, AND GET BIKE TO THE SIDE OF THE VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. | 125.0%ODI 10446641 · 25,876 miTHE FINAL DRIVE ON THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF RING GEAR SEAL, AND BIKE SUDDENLY MADE GRINDING NOISE. AFTER TEAR DOWN AND INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LARGE RADIAL BEARING HAD FAILED CAUSING THE SEAL TO FAIL, REPLACEMENT OF BEARING AND SEAL WAS DONE. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *KB | 215.4%ODI 10040932 · 31,049 miREAR DRIVE OF MOTORCYCLE HAS FAILED AT 31K MILES | 17.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10237573 · 65,386 miFINAL DRIVE UNIT ON MY 1996 BMW MOTORCYCLE FAILED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 215.4%ODI 10074714 · 51,865 miREAR DRIVE FAILURE ON BMW K1200 LT. MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING AND REAR END STARTED WOBBLING. *JB | 215.4%ODI 10093619 · 34,000 miRIDING ON SUMMER VACATION 2500 MILES FROM HOME. FINAL DRIVE BEARING AND OIL SEAL FAILED COATING THE REAR TIRE OF MY MOTORCYCLE WITH OIL THE BEARING FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSE REAR WHEEL LOCK UP. OIL LEAK FROM THE SEAL FAILING COVERED REAR TIRE AND REAR BRAKE PADS WITH OIL. BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED FROM EXPOSURE TO OIL. CRASH WAS AVOIDED IN THIS CASE. OZZIE'S BMW PICKED BIKE UP AND MADE REPAIRS WITH HIS IN STOCK PARTS. DEALER HAS SEEN THIS FAILURE BEFORE AND WAS READY TO MAKE THIS REPAIR AGAIN--THUS HE HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10208084 · 26,897 miTHREE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME A GRINDING SOUND STARTED BEING AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR OF THE BIKE. I STOPPED AFTER IT CONTINUED AND FAILED TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DRY AND NO APPARENT LEAKS ANYWHERE. I CONTINUED AND THE GRINDING BECAME LOUDER. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AND THIS TIME SEEN A FEW SPOTS OF OIL ON THE REAR WHEEL. CONTINUED INVESTIGATION SHOWED GEAR OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE. I CONTINUED A SHORT WAY AND THE SOUND BECAME MUCH LOUDER AND THE REAR OF THE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 215.4% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 485435DIFFERENTIAL MALFUNCTIONED, LEAVING VEHICLE INOPERABLE AFTER COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 468990) *AW | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.7%ODI 10350626 · 30,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW F-650 (NA). WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER REP ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET BATTERY AND THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 3/7/11 *… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3% | 150.0%ODI 10141124 · 17,000 miTHIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT WHICH DUPLICATES VOQ #101404137 MY 1997 BMW F650 MORTORCYCLE SLIPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT DID THIS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND TOOK IT TO FRANK'S BMW MOTORCYCLES IN ESSEX JCT VT FOR SERVICE. LESTER PELKEY (OWNER) SAID IT WAS OPERATOR ERROR WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HE SAID IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR HIM. I CAN DOWN SHIFT INTO FIRST, LET THE BIKE RUN IN 1ST UP TO A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, STOP, AND SOMETIMES IT SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL, AND SOMETIMES IT WAITS UNTIL I'VE STARTED UP AGA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 536137MY FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT ON A 38 MILE COMMUTE FROM MY HOME TO WORK AND BACK AGAIN. THERE IS A BWM RIDER MAIL SERVICE AND THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. IT SEEMS BMW HAS DEVELOPED A WHEEL THAT IS OF A SOFT CONSTRUCTION. IT IS RECOMENDED THAT RIDERS CHECK AIRPRESSURE CONSTANTLY, WHICH I DO. THE PRESSURE AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY WAS 36LBS A FIGURE I DON'T CALL LOW. I NORMALLY RUN 42 FRONT 42 REAR. BMW CLAIMS THIS SOFT OF DAMAGE OCCURS ONLY WHEN CORRECT PRESSURES ARE NOTKEPT. THE STICKER ON THE MOTORCYCLE CALLS OFR 2.2BARS. IF IT I… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.7%ODI 10291986 · 18,600 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW K1200LTI. THE REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH. CONSEQUENTLY HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE . BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 18,600. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10039023ELECTRICAL COMPONENT (HALL IGNITIONS SENSOR ASSEMBLY) FAILURE. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 30,000–40,810 mi | 30,884 mi | 5 | ODI 10208084 · 26,897 miTHREE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME A GRINDING SOUND STARTED BEING AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR OF THE BIKE. I STOPPED AFTER IT CONTINUED AND FAILED TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DRY AND NO APPARENT LEAKS ANYWHERE. I CONTINUED AND THE GRINDING BECAME LOUDER. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AND THIS TIME SEEN A FEW SPOTS OF OIL ON THE REAR WHEEL. CONTINUED INVESTIGATION SHOWED GEAR OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE. I CONTINUED A SHORT WAY AND THE SOUND BECAME MUCH LOUDER AND THE REAR OF THE… ODI 10067913 · 30,000 miREAR DRIVE BEARING FAILURE, SECOND ONE IN 13,000 MILES. REAR DRIVE WAS NOTICABLY LOUD. HARMONIC GROWLING NOISE. I DISSASEMBLED IT AND THE LARGE BALL BEARING IS PITTED. THIS TIME I CAUGHT IT BEFORE CATASTOPHIC FAILURE. I PURCHASED A USED REAR DRIVE AND WILL REBUILD MY OLD ONE SO I CAN CARRY A SPARE. (PRETTY SAD WHEN A BMW PILOT HAS TO CARRY A SPARE REAR DRIVE).*AK ODI 10093543 · 40,810 miBEARINGS IN THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LUBRICATION AND AN UNSTABLE REAR TIRE PREVENTING FURTHER SAFE TRAVEL.*AK |
| Power Train | 31,049–63,000 mi | 46,000 mi | 5 | ODI 10038701 · 70,163 miFINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON 1997 K1100 LT BMW MOTORCYCLE. HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 295 AT 70 MPH, FINAL DRIVE LET GO WITH NO WARNING. WAS ABLE (BARELY) TO KEEP IN CONTROL, AND GET BIKE TO THE SIDE OF THE VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. ODI 10446641 · 25,876 miTHE FINAL DRIVE ON THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED OIL OUT OF RING GEAR SEAL, AND BIKE SUDDENLY MADE GRINDING NOISE. AFTER TEAR DOWN AND INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LARGE RADIAL BEARING HAD FAILED CAUSING THE SEAL TO FAIL, REPLACEMENT OF BEARING AND SEAL WAS DONE. SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. *KB ODI 10040932 · 31,049 miREAR DRIVE OF MOTORCYCLE HAS FAILED AT 31K MILES |
| Power Train:Driveline | 49,188–51,865 mi | 50,000 mi | 5 | ODI 10237573 · 65,386 miFINAL DRIVE UNIT ON MY 1996 BMW MOTORCYCLE FAILED. *TR ODI 10074714 · 51,865 miREAR DRIVE FAILURE ON BMW K1200 LT. MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING AND REAR END STARTED WOBBLING. *JB ODI 10208116 · 50,000 miFAILURE OF FINAL DRIVE ON BMW MOTORCYCLE. BIKE HAD 50,000 MILES. COST $2,000 TO REPAIR, NOT COVERED! *TR |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Too few reports for a range | 25,000 mi | 3 (sparse) | ODI 10208084 · 26,897 miTHREE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME A GRINDING SOUND STARTED BEING AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR OF THE BIKE. I STOPPED AFTER IT CONTINUED AND FAILED TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DRY AND NO APPARENT LEAKS ANYWHERE. I CONTINUED AND THE GRINDING BECAME LOUDER. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AND THIS TIME SEEN A FEW SPOTS OF OIL ON THE REAR WHEEL. CONTINUED INVESTIGATION SHOWED GEAR OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE. I CONTINUED A SHORT WAY AND THE SOUND BECAME MUCH LOUDER AND THE REAR OF THE… ODI 10201261 · 25,000 miTHE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WHEN THE ABS WAS USED ON A DIRT ROAD. STANDING ON THE REAR BRAKE FOOT PEDDLE AND SQUEEZING THE FRONT BRAKE HAND LEVER AS HARD AS POSSIBLE HAD NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER. JUST AS IF THEY WERENT EVEN USED. SECONDS EARLIER THE BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. AND AFTER RESTARTING THE MOTORCYCLE THEY WORKED PROPERLY AGAIN. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME THAT AN ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DESIGNED IS A WAY THAT WHEN IT FAILED IT RENDERED THE BRAKES TOTALLY INOPERABLE: THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF FAIL SAFE. IN ONE CASE I NEARLY RAN OFF A CLIF… |
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 30,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10350626 · 30,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW F-650 (NA). WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER REP ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET BATTERY AND THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 3/7/11 *… |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 17,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10141124 · 17,000 miTHIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT WHICH DUPLICATES VOQ #101404137 MY 1997 BMW F650 MORTORCYCLE SLIPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT DID THIS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND TOOK IT TO FRANK'S BMW MOTORCYCLES IN ESSEX JCT VT FOR SERVICE. LESTER PELKEY (OWNER) SAID IT WAS OPERATOR ERROR WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HE SAID IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR HIM. I CAN DOWN SHIFT INTO FIRST, LET THE BIKE RUN IN 1ST UP TO A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, STOP, AND SOMETIMES IT SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL, AND SOMETIMES IT WAITS UNTIL I'VE STARTED UP AGA… |
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 18,600 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10291986 · 18,600 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW K1200LTI. THE REAR WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH. CONSEQUENTLY HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE EJECTED FROM THE MOTORCYCLE . BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 18,600. |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2000: 3 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Power Train | Power Train:Driveline | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Electrical System | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Wheels | Electrical System:Ignition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10208084 · 26,897 miTHREE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME A GRINDING SOUND STARTED BEING AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR OF THE BIKE. I STOPPED AFTER IT CONTINUED AND FAILED TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DRY AND NO APPARENT LEAKS ANYWHERE. I CONTINUED AND THE GRINDING BECAME LOUDER. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AND THIS TIME SEEN A FEW SPOTS OF OIL ON THE REAR WHEEL. CONTINUED INVESTIGATION SHOWED GEAR OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE. I CONTINUED A SHORT WAY AND THE SOUND BECAME MUCH LOUDER AND THE REAR OF THE… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1ODI 10208084 · 26,897 miTHREE HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME A GRINDING SOUND STARTED BEING AUDIBLE FROM THE REAR OF THE BIKE. I STOPPED AFTER IT CONTINUED AND FAILED TO SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DRY AND NO APPARENT LEAKS ANYWHERE. I CONTINUED AND THE GRINDING BECAME LOUDER. I STOPPED AND LOOKED AND THIS TIME SEEN A FEW SPOTS OF OIL ON THE REAR WHEEL. CONTINUED INVESTIGATION SHOWED GEAR OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS STILL VISIBLE. I CONTINUED A SHORT WAY AND THE SOUND BECAME MUCH LOUDER AND THE REAR OF THE… | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.