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BMW R SeriesModel year report

2002 BMW R Series Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,300miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW R Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW R Series. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and brakes (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,300 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10163423, filed 2006-07, 6,100 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Clutch to transmission input shaft splines failed on my 2002 Bmw r1150rt motorcycle. 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.”

NHTSA complaint #10296924, filed 2009-12, 43,000 miles

Brakes: “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. The lights were out and the brakes worked for about 4 on off cycles. Then they failed again driving down the road. It has been intermittent since. I then researched this problem on the internet and found it is rampant. People have been permanently disabled. Motorcycles have crashed over and over. …”

NHTSA complaint #10411089, filed 2011-06, 43,000 miles

Body and structure: “The 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. Updated 12/20/10 the consumer stated he did not receive any paper work to fill out. Updated 12/27/10 updated 01/13/11 updated 01/27/11”

NHTSA complaint #10362823, filed 2010-10, 45,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,900 and 43,000 miles.

14%0–1014%10–2571%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20052006200720092010220112012
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 BMW R Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.

Other model years of the BMW R Series

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2002842,3001———Not enough data

All BMW R Series model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW R Series have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW R Series as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 BMW R Series is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.

Has the 2002 BMW R Series been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW R Series reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,300 miles and the middle half falls between 28,900 and 43,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.