RoadVitals

2008 BMW F 800 S

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.
2
Latest Jun 20, 2013
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.
2
Latest Nov 1, 2013
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 BMW F 800 S, most frequently naming the brakes and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 19 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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Suspension150.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
13V549000

WHEELS

Nov 1, 2013
2,608 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles manufactured August 2006 through January 2009. Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
The risk: Bearing and axle wear may affect handling and control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheel bearing, and if necessary, replace the bearing and rear axle, at no charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
08V241000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jun 2, 2008
1,980 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING 1,980 MY 2007-2008 F800 S AND F800 ST MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE, PRESSURE EQUALIZATION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK IS POSSIBLE ONLY TO A LIMITED EXTENT. CONSEQUENTLY, AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK CAN DEFORM. IF THIS HAPPENED AT THE POINT WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS SHAPED TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE FOR THE REAR WHEEL, THEN, IN COMBINATION WITH A LARGE PAYLOAD, THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK COULD RUB AGAINST THE REAR WHEEL.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A LEAK COULD DEVELOP IN THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Jun 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW F800S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520934
Incident
May 7, 2012
Mileage
14,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BIKE AND BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE SPOKES OF THE FRONT WHEEL. WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE BIKE WENT DOWN WITH ME ON IT! *TR

NHTSA ID
10250170
Incident
Nov 10, 2008
Mileage
230 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.

MC120107

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:COIL:SPARK PLUGS

The use of a faulty tool in engine assembly has led to isolated cases of damage to the spark plugs.

MC000521

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control units cannot be found when reading out with ISTA. 2. Control units initially communicate after connecting to the vehicle, but communication later stops.

MC55297495

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle battery not charged despite the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket (manufactured before 2009)Headlights and rear lights light up intermittently despite the ignition being switched off and the battery charger being connected to the on-board socket.

MC210221

POWER TRAIN

The clutch plates do not tolerate frequent and prolonged operation at the clutch friction zone, causing a shorter service life in motorcycles that see intensive use

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: 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. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

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 F 800 S by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009010—
2008Viewing220—
2007113039.4
2006000—

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.