AI Damage2002 BMW R Series: common problems
Owners of the 2002 BMW R Series filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 38% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 13% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Operating under normal driving condition at speed below 40 mph. Vehicle loss all power from engine to transmission. Engine still operates and revs normally, but no engine power is transferred to transmission. Transmission still shift proper into each gear in the gearbox.
Earlier in the week the abs failure lights came on and then the brakes stopped working effectively. There is a backup "residual braking" of about 15%. I survived because I was not in traffic and did not need a serious stop. I had it "fixed" at the dealer on saturday.
Tl contact owns a 2002 bmw r1150rt.. While starting the motorcycle, the kickstand bent and it fell over. The motorcycle was taken home where the contact repaired it himself. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw r1150rt motorcycle. While driving approximately 70 mph, the contact noticed fuel was leaking from the connecting sleeve to the fluid line. In addition, fuel began leaking onto the hot cylinder. This was the second instance of the failure.
Sudden loss of power due to failure of the splines which connect the clutch plate to the transmission input shaft. Fortunately I was on a side street which wasn't busy and near home. No accident resulted due to location where failure occurred.
Excess axle movement damaged seal, final drive oil leaked out over tire, oil on motorcycle tire is dangerous. I was lucky. There is lots on internet activity on this, there have been crashes and fires reported but I do not have personal knowledge of any.
Quick disconnect fuel line fitting failure (fractured for no special reason while riding motorcycle) was not damaged or misused in any way. Gasoline was spilling onto hot catalytic converter, but no fire.
2002 bmw r1150r fuel leak problem/ fuel line recall. The consumer stated the motorcycle developed a fuel leak during operation that resulted in gasoline being sprayed onto the engine block as well as the consumer leg.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the R Series has 4 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 8, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW R Series?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (13%), oil leak or consumption (13%), loss of power / limp mode (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 BMW R Series?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 BMW R Series from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.