RoadVitals

2016 BMW C650 GT Maxi-Scooter

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Jan 30, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 1, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 BMW C650 GT Maxi-Scooter, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 23 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine660.0%
  • Powertrain (other)330.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 1, 2019
2,707 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW C600 Sport and C650 Sport and 2013-2019 C650 GT scooters. Repeated turning of the handlebars to the left most position may cause the front brake hose to crack and leak over time.
The risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake hose, adding an additional protective sleeve that will cover the hose connection fitting, free of charge. The recall began August 6, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall includes scooters previously recalled under 15V-738.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jan 30, 2023

I own a 2016 BMW C650GT. {VIN WB10C1507GZ315600}. {ENGINE # 70037975} There is a RECALL 14V-264 that applies to earlier models - with ENGINE numbers up to - 70020276. The reason for the recall was that the the mechanical CHAIN TENSIONER would wear excessively leading to failure. My 2016 C650GT has a MECHANICAL CHAIN TENSIONER {part dated - 20150819 or AUGUST 19th, 2015} that failed and caused catastrophic failure...including but not limited to the VALVE hitting the piston. The current ESTIMATE is still being prepared but is expected to be over $7,500- I will provide all documents as they become available. I request that my MOTORCYCLE be included on the list of covered vehicles under RECALL 14V-264. THANK YOU RICHARD GRANO 619.987.6483 [email protected]

NHTSA ID
11504484
Incident
Jan 30, 2023
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 11, 2020

MY 2016 BMW C650GT SCOOTERS' MECHANICAL TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED, ALLOWING MY TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP, CAUSING MY VALVES TO SLAM INTO MY PISTONS WHICH BENT THE VALVE STEMS, CAUSING A REPAIR COST OF $3800.00 U.S. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STILL ON THE FREEWAY (HAD JUST EXITED I-5 IN SEATTLE AND WAS STARTING TO RE-ACCELERATE TO 25 MPH ON 45TH AVE W. WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING A VERY LOUD CLACKING NOISE, FOLLOWED BY A STALL AND THE INABILITY TO RESTART) THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS HARM, IF NOT DEATH TO MYSELF, OR ANY RIDER IN THIS SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY BMW, AND WAS A RECALL ON EARLIER MODELS (2013 & 2014) AND REMEDIED BY REPLACING THEM WITH A HYDRAULIC TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, HOWEVER BMW CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE LATER BIKES USING THE MECHANICAL TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. A QUICK GOOGLE OR FACEBOOK SEARCH OF BMW C650GT OWNER/ GROUPS/FORUMS, TURNS UP MANY DISCUSSIONS FROM OWNERS ALL OVER THE WORLD COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. IN SOME CASES, BMW HAS PAID 100% OF THE REPAIR, BUT IN MANY BMW WON'T PAY ANYTHING. IN MY CASE THEY ARE PAYING 50% HOWEVER THEY SHOULD BE PAYING 100% OF THE REPAIR BILL AS THIS KNOWN ISSUE. BMW IS NOT EXACTLY CONSISTENT IN THE WAY THAT THEY ARE HANDLING THESE REPAIR COSTS AND ITS TIME THEY DO WHAT IS RIGHT, OR BE FORCED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. IT'S DANGEROUS FOR ANY VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY BUT IT'S EXTRA DANGEROUS FOR A MOTORCYCLE RIDER IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE MOVING IN FAST TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE FOR ANY BMW C650GT OWNER W/ A MECHANICAL TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER INSTALLED ON THEIR BIKE. I'VE READ FACEBOOK POSTS FROM OWNERS WITH 2017 C650GTS WHOSE BIKES WERE MANUFACTURED W/ THE MECHANICAL TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER! HOW CAN BMW DO THAT IF THEY'VE RECALLED THIS ISSUE ON EARLIER YEARS AND FIXED THE ISSUE WITH HYDRAULIC TENSIONERS? HELP!

NHTSA ID
11308626
Incident
Jan 9, 2020
Mileage
10,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2020

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY FOR APPROX 20 MIN, AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND THEN RE-ACCELLERATING TO 25MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER MOVED, MAKING A LOUD CLACKING SOUND ALLOWING THE TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP, RESULTING IN BENT VALVE STEMS ETC. SYMPTOMS WERE A LOUD CLACKING SOUND AT STARTUP - THIS NOISE WOULD GO AWAY AND RETURN INTERMITTENTLY. I ASKED NOBLE RUSH BMW LAKE CITY WA (NOW OUT OF BUSINESS) ABOUT THIS SOUND WHEN MY BIKE WAS IN FOR THE 6,000 MILE SERVICE/BMW BRAKE RECALL SERVICE THIS PAST SUMMER, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL AFTER THEY TOOK MY BIKE FOR A TEST RIDE, ESPECIALLY AT STARTUP, AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE. WOW WERE THEY EVER WRONG! MY BIKE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND I AM LOOKING AT AT LEAST A $3600.00 REPAIR BILL. A QUICK GOODLE ABOUT THIS SOUND AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER ISSUE, YIELDS QUITE A FEW STORIES FROM UNHAPPY BMW C650GT OWNERS ALL ACROSS THE US AND CANADA. PREVIOUS BMW C650GT MODEL YEARS WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS SAME ISSUE, HOWEVER I CANNOT FIND A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR MY BIKES YEAR, BUT I CAN HOWEVER FIND MANY 2016 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11301155
Incident
Jan 9, 2020
Mileage
10,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 17, 2019

MI SCOOTER HAS INSTALLED ON TWO RANDON OCASSIONS WHILE COASTING OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN. ACCORDING TO MY MAKE AND MODEL FORUMS THIS IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM THAT BMW HAS NO FIRM FIX

NHTSA ID
11170674
Incident
Dec 19, 2018
Mileage
10 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2016

STALLING IN TRAFFIC AT STOP LIGHT/SIGN, AND ENGINE IDLES DOWN AND STALLS. SOMETIMES STALLS WHEN STARTING OFF AFTER A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. HAD IT CHECKED AT DEALER, ISSUE CONTINUES. HAPPENS A FEW TIME DURING MY DAILY COMMUTE.

NHTSA ID
10874384
Incident
Jun 15, 2016
Mileage
200 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2016

THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN SLOWING FOR A STOP OR FOR A TIGHT TURN. IT CAN THEN BE RESTARTED, BUT THE IDLE MAY BE INCONSISTENT AND CAN AFFECT THE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN DECELERATING IN TRAFFIC. I PURCHASED THIS MOTORCYCLE NEW IN MARCH (3/25/16). WHEN I DROVE IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND CALLED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH STALLING, THEY HAD TO TRAILER IT TO THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THIS BIKE IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH, "RESEARCHING" THE ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY TECHNICAL REPS.

NHTSA ID
10860718
Incident
Mar 25, 2016
Mileage
32 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

MC64481126

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

SVA! infotext is displayed in instrument cluster (see attachment)

MC310421

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The complaint of leaking telescopic forks is the top warranty claim in many current models,

MC64010520

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Incorrect tire pressure appears in the instrument cluster. Contamination or obstruction of the RDC sensor.

MC63997656

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Instrument cluster self check is slow. Suftware update is required. Rectified with I level K001-17-07-500.

MC2300117

EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY

Customer complains about an operating failure on the left or right multifunction switch.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW C650 GT Maxi-Scooter by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020200
2019110
2018010
2017020
2016Viewing610
2015110
2014620
2013303044.3
2012010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.