2002 BMW R1150GS Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 19%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,375miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 BMW R1150GS, 19% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,375 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 will need to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456593, filed 2012-04, 41,034 miles“In april 2005, I experienced a final drive failure on my 2002 Bmw R1150GS. During a 36,000 mile service, I reported a slight oil leak around the rubber boot on the final drive shaft. Bmw replaced the final drive bearing that was still under warranty. The entire final drive was replaced during the service at no charge. The final drive failure problem is a major issue and I am aware of six local Bmw motorcycles, both r and k series that have experienced final drive failures in the past three years.”
NHTSA complaint #10168484, filed 2006-09, 35,900 miles“2002 Bmw R1150GS motorcycle suffered a failure of the final drive assembly in the shaft drive mechanism. There was no warning. The seal blew out and the shaft bearings disintegrated causing the wheel to hop up and down severely at about 70 MPH. I was able to pull the bike over safely without a crash. The entire final drive will have to be replaced. Fortunately, it is still under warranty. Had it failed literally 30 seconds earlier, I would have been leaned way over in a very tight corner and the likelihood of a serious accident would have been extremely high. …”
NHTSA complaint #10093667, filed 2004-10, 28,850 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW R1150GS
← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW R1150GS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology