2003 Bmw R 1150 RT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
11,511 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Suspension: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (5). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
2004: 4; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10056427 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
2003 BMW R 1150 RT MOTORCYCLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU DO NOT KEEP PRESSURE TO THE LEFT ON THE HANDLE BARS IT WILL LEAN ITSELF TO THE RIGHT AND RUN OFF THE ROAD. ALSO IT HAS EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. I SPOKE WITH BMW AND THEY SAID THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE BIKES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067768 · 2004-04-25 (April 25, 2004)
STALLING WHILE RIDING IN THE RAIN. WOULD RESTART AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. THEN, WHILE RIDING IN TRAFFIC DURING DRY WEATHER STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER. IGNITION COIL REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 11,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067769 · 2004-04-25 (April 25, 2004)
RECALL REMEDY FAILURE. 04V-028. DEALER RE-CRIMPED THE CRIMP CLAMPS PER BMW'S INSTRUCTIONS. STILL LEAKED SUBSTANTIALLY AT 4.2 BAR WHEN SYSTEM PRESSURE-CHECKED. SOME CONCERN THAT PLASTIC COMPONENTS DEFORM PREVENTING FULL CRIMP CLAMP LOAD. REPLACED OE CRIMP CLAMPS WITH EALIER VERSION, OE, SCREW CLAMPS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 11,511 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089009 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
ACTUAL MODEL IS RT1150P NOT LISTED ON MODEL LIST. ALTENATOR BELT BROKE, CAUSING ALTENATOR FAILURE AND LOW VOLTAGE WHICH NEGATED POWER BRAKES LEAVING ME WITH RESIDUAL BRAKING ABOUT 40% OF NORMAL BREAKING AT BEST. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND ROLLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRUCK WHO WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME BY SLOWING AND GOING AROUND. DEALER REPLACED BELT AND ALTENATOR. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN HOWEVER. THE OWNERS MANUAL EVEN EXPLAINS POWER LOSS TO BRAKES CALLING IT RESIDUAL BRAKING. THE MANUAL SAYS APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE LEVER, SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,840 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170314 · 2006-10-09 (October 9, 2006)
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY, LEAVING ONLY THE FOG LIGHTS TO GET ME HOME. DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170314 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V319000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 2002-11-27 (November 27, 2002)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗