2002 Bmw R1150GS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
25,310 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 21 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 57.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train: 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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2002: 12; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2012: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10006561 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025621 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
FINAL DRIVE FAILURE ON BMW R1150GS MOTORCYCLE AT 28,200 MILES RESULTING IN LOSS OF OIL AND REQUIRING COMPLETE FINAL DRIVE AND ABS SENSOR REPLACEMENT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 28,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456593 · 2012-04-26 (April 26, 2012)
MY 2002 BMW 1150GS MOTORCYCLE HAS ONLY JUST OVER 41K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THESE MOTORCYCLES ARE ADVERTISED TO THE PUBLIC AS ABLE TO DRIVE FOREVER ACROSS CONTINENTS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN IT LOST SOME INTERNAL GEARS LAST WEEKEND AND SOMETHING LET GO IN THE GEARBOX WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 5TH AND 6TH UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. METAL FRAGMENTS CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN DRAINED OF FLUID. THIS IS A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,034 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767083 · 2002-09-12 (September 12, 2002)
AS SOON AS I STARTED MY BIKE, I SMELLED RAW GASOLINE. I LOOKED DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BIKE AND SAW A FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND AS IT RAN OFF MY TRANSMISSION. I SHUT DOWN THE MOTORCYLE TO INVESTIGATE. I STARTED IT THREE MORE TIMES. TWO OF THOSE STARTS PRODUCED A FUEL LEAK. THE LEAK ORIGINATED ON ONE OF THE FUEL LINES, ADJACENT TO THE RIGHT THROTTLE BODY. THE CRIMP-TYPE CLAMPS WERE LOOSE WHEN I TRIED MOVING THEM. ON THE THIRD START, THE FUEL LEAK STOPPED. I TOOK THE BIKE TO ALAMO BMW WHERE A TECHNICIAN RECRIMPED THE TWO LOWER CLAM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327171 · 2020-06-03 (June 3, 2020)
SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL FIRE LED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER STARTUP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,419 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327171 at NHTSA ↗