RoadVitals

2003 BMW F650 Cs

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.
8
Latest Aug 21, 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.
4
Latest May 19, 2004
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 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 BMW F650 Cs, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and other / unspecified categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 10 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

  • Electrical327.3%
  • Fuel system327.3%
  • Other / unspecified218.2%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%

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

4 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

May 19, 2004
1,560 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP FLANGE COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF ACID OR CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ACIDIC ELEMENTS, SUCH AS BATTERY ACID OR CERTAIN CLEANING PRODUCTS.
The risk: THE FLANGE COULD BECOME BRITTLE, CRACK, AND ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ACID-RESISTANT CAP OVER THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

WHEELS

Jul 23, 2002
576 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WHEEL COULD DEVELOP A CRACK. OVER TIME, THE CRACK COULD WORSEN TO THE POINT THAT THE WHEEL FAILED AND THE DRIVE BELT DERAILED.
The risk: THIS WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVE CAPABILITY AT THE REAR WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR DRIVE BELT WHEEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Jul 23, 2002
577 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEX NUT THAT SECURES THE WHEEL TO THE GEARBOX OUTPUT SHAFT WAS TIGHTENED INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BELT WHEEL WOULD ITSELF LOOSEN ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL SPLINES OF THE WHEEL AND TO THE EXTERNAL SPLINES OF THE OUTPUT SHAFT AS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED.
The risk: OVER TIME, THE SPLINES COULD BE DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OUTPUT SHAFT WOULD NOT LONGER OPERATE THE DRIVE BELT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DRIVE CAPABILITY AT THE REAR WHEEL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEX NUT TORQUE AND ADJUST THE TIGHTNESS IF NECESSARY, AND SECURE THE NUT WITH LOCTITE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW F650 CS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE RPM READING BECAME ERRATIC AND INCONSISTENT WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V236000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536447
Incident
Aug 18, 2013
Mileage
4,500 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Oct 14, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS ON A MOTORCYCLE TRIP TO BANFF, AB. ABOUT 50K NORTH OF CROWSNEST PASS, AB ON GRAVEL HIGHWAY 40 I HAD A BIT OF A WOBBLE THAT MOVED ME INTO THE SOFT GRAVEL SHOULDER. IT WAS SAFER TO RIDE INTO THE DITCH SO THAT IS WHAT I DID. JUST AFTER COMING UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DITCH THE FRONT FORK BROKE ON A SMALL BUMP LAUNCHING ME THROUGH THE AIR, AND TOPPLING THE BIKE BEHIND ME. I WAS PROBABLY GOING ABOUT 40MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. I DISLOCATED MY SHOULDER AND TORE SEVERAL TENDONS IN THE INCIDENT. THE MOTORCYCLE IS A BMW F650 GS DAKAR. THE FAILURE IS VERY SIMILAR TO... CASE: IVOQ- 2002 BMW MOTORCYCLE CASE NUMBER: 28597. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245369
Incident
Sep 2, 2008
Mileage
15,100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 7, 2006

A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP/FILTER ASSEMBLY "CAP" ON TOP OF THE TANK WHICH ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TANK AND POOL UNDER THE SEAT CREATING A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM REFERRED TO IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V236000 REGARDING THE CS MODEL. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, BUT DEALER WILL ONLY PERFORM AT OWNERS COST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE GS MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10159252
Incident
May 27, 2006
Mileage
17,100 mi
Electrical
Filed May 6, 2006

THE IGNITION SWITCH ON A 2003 F650 GS BMW MOTORCYCLE IS LOCATED ON THE STEERING HEAD. THIS SWITCH HAS A LOOM OF FOUR ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT CONNECT TO IT AND GOES TO RELAYS THAT OPERATE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ONE OF THE WIRES, A GREEN ONE, IS A 16 GAUGE COPPER WIRE WITH 19 STRANDS. THIS WIRE IS THE LINK FOR ALL THE ELECTRIC CURRENT TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE. WHEN THIS WIRE FAILS, THE ENGINE DIES, THE LIGHTS GO OFF, AND ALL THE POWER TO THE MOTORCYCLE IS LOST. THE WIRE LOOM CONTAINING THIS GREEN 16 GAUGE WIRE IS DESIGNED TO FAIL BECAUSE EVERY TIME THE HANDLEBARS ON THE BIKE ARE MOVED, THE WIRE LOOM FLEXES AND OVER TIME THIS GREEN WIRE BECOMES BRITTLE, DUE TO MOLECULAR CHANGES IN THE COPPER, AND BREAKS. THIS WILL HAPPEN ON EVERY BIKE THAT HAS THIS 16 GAUGE 19 STRAND WIRE, AS THIS WIRE IS NOT ENGINEERED TO BE FLEXED CONSTANTLY. IN FACT, THIS WIRE WILL BREAK BY HOLDING IT STATIONARY IN ONE HAND, BY A CONNECTOR, AND BENDING IT WITH THE OTHER HAND. IT WILL BREAK WITHIN 30 UP AND DOWN BENDS AND THIS IS THE WIRE THAT TRANSMITS ALL THE POWER TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE. MY MOTORCYCLE IS A 2003 MODEL THAT WAS PUT INTO USE AT 06/16/2003 WITH 6230 MILES. THAT IS WHEN I LOST POWER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE MOTOR STOPPED AND THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. LUCKILY IT WAS DAYTIME AND NO TRAFFIC. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. I REPAIRED THE HARNESS BY REPLACING ALL FOUR WIRES WITH A 16 GAUGE 62 STRAND COPPER WIRE THAT IS ENGINEERED TO FLEX. I HAVE THE OLD WIRES AND PICTURES OF THE WIRE LOOM BEFORE I REPAIRED IT. I WILL FURNISH YOU WITH THE ORIGINAL WIRES AND PICTURES UPON REQUEST. *NM

NHTSA ID
10156915
Incident
May 3, 2006
Mileage
6,230 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 2004

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 2003 BMW 650 CS HAS CONTINUALLY BROKEN DOWN--STALLED (OFTEN TIMES WHILE THE BIKE IS ACTUALLY IN MOTION). I HAVE BROUGHT THE BIKE TO HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD OVER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND EACH TIME, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE LOCUS OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IT GENERALLY DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE BIKE IS WITH THE DEALER, SO THEY CANNOT FIX IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10082678
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
900 mi
BrakesElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed May 28, 2004

I LOVE MY BMW F650CSA WHEN IT IS WORKING. REPEAT THE WORD : WHEN! THE 2003 MODEL HAS HAD A SERIOUS BRAKE FLUID LEAK WHICH CAUSED A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL WHILE RIDING. IT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE WIRING HARNESS THAT IT CORRODED. A SECOND WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING. THE FACTORY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE ACCESSORY AUDIO POD HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE LOCK BARREL FELL APART. THE HEAD TO TOE RIDING SUIT WAS REPLACED AFTER 1 YEAR WHEN THE ARMOR AND LINING AND STICHING FELL APART. THE LUGGAGE BAG ALSO WAS SENT BACK FOR REPAIR AFTER ITS STICHING CAME APART. NOW THE BIKE IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THE 2ND TIME ON THE SAME ISSUE OF THE REAR WHEEL LOCK NUT COMES LOOSE. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PIN THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, THE REAR WHEEL FEELS REALLY SQUIRRLY WHEN RIDING IF THIS NUT IS FINGER LOOSE. SO FAR THEY HAVE TIGHTENED IT TO SPEC TWICE AND IT IS LOOSE AGAIN. I USE THIS BIKE TO COMMUTE THROUGH THE CITY 12 MILES EA. WAY TO WORK. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE POOR QUALITY OF THIS BMW MOTORCYCLE AND ITS ACCESSORIES. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY PROBABLY WENT OVER BUDGET DESIGNING THE THING THEN REALIZED THEY BETTER START SELLING THEM BEFORE THEY DID MUCH TEST DRIVING. LIKE I SAID, ITS A GREAT BIKE WHEN ITS WORKING. IT HAS ENDANGED MY LIFE MORE THAN ONCE DUE TO PARTS DEFECTS. COME ON GUYS, MOTORCYCLE RIDING IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOUR REAR WHEEL IS GOING TO JAM ON YOU WHILE RIDING! *LA

NHTSA ID
10073309
Incident
May 27, 2004
Fuel system
Filed May 27, 2004

WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED GAS FUMES. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD CRACKS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10074376
Incident
May 27, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Oct 28, 2003

MY BMW F650CS HAS HAD SEVERAL INTEGRAL PIECES OF THE BIKE SHAKE LOOSE OR EVEN FALL COMPLETELY OFF IN THE 18 MONTHS I HAVE HAD IT. THE SIXTH AND FINAL INCIDENT WAS ON 7 OCTOBER 2003 WHEN ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DURING REGULAR RIDING. THIS LEFT SEVERAL PARTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE INCLUDING THE SIDESTAND AND THE LOWER MEMBER OF THE FRAME DANGLING ABOUT WHILE RIDING AND SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE MOTORCYCLE'S ABILITY TO MANEUVER. THE SAME MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE SHIFT LEVER FALLING OFF FOUR TIMES (WITH THE DEALER UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY RE-ATTACH IT UNTIL THE FOURTH TIME) AND FOR THE DRIVE BELT SPROCKET SHAKING LOOSE AND AFFECTING THE VEHICLE'S RIDE.THE SHIFT LEVER INCIDENTS ALL HAPPENED IN BUSY CITY TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO PUSH A NON-FUNCTIONAL MOTORCYCLE ACROSS MULTIPLE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC AND ENDED UP BURNING MYSELF REATTACHING THE LEVER TO RIDE THE BIKE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AS PER THE DEALER'S INSTRUCTIONS.BMW MOTORCYCLES OF NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING BUT INSTRUCT A DEALER TO PATCH UP THE LATEST PIECE TO FALL OFF THE BIKE (THE ENGINE MOUNT AND BELT DRIVE PULLEY IN THIS CASE) AND TIGHTEN THE AFFFECTED BOLTS TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. EVERY PIECE THAT HAS FALLEN OFF WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS TIGHTENED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS WITHIN THE LAST 3000 MILES.I EXPLAINED THAT I FELT UNSAFE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AND THEIR RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT I TRADE IT IN ON A MORE EXPENSIVE BMW MOTORCYCLE.*AK I KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED OR KILLED ASIDE FROM BEING BURNED TRYING TO RE-ATTACH DEFECTIVE PARTS BUT THE MOTORCYCLE PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER COUNTLESS TIMES WHILE THE MANUFACTURER HAS DONE NOTHING PROACTIVE TO HANDLE THE SITUATION. THE MOTORCYCLE IN QUESTION IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A BMW MOTORCYCLES REPAIR SHOP IN ST. LOUIS, MO.

NHTSA ID
10043800
Incident
Oct 7, 2003
Mileage
9,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

MC230204

EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Ball End Working Loose on Gearshift Lever.

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.

MC51142327

EQUIPMENT

Leaks have been reported in fork legs. The cause is reported be from oil lubricating film with accompanying dirt/grease ring is incorrectly interpreted to be a leaking fork leg. Investigations have shown that the part is not defective.

SIB-63-02-01

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM

SIB-16-02-09

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES, EPC DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY IN THE ILLUSTRATION, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARTS DESCRIPTION. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

TSB-17-001-09

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

BMW MOTORCYCLE: THE COOLANT INLET HOSE IS NOT COMPLIANT WITH THE APPLICABLE BMW SPECIFICATIONS. ENGINE OPERATION CAN CAUSE THE INLET HOSE TO WIDEN AND BECOME CORRESPONDINGLY SHORTER; OVERTIME THIS CONTRACTION IN LENGTH CAN CAUSE THE HOSE TO WORK BACK OFF THE WATER PUMP NOZZLE FOR ENOUGH TO ALLOW COOLANT TO ESCAPE. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

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 F650 Cs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005100
2004010
2003Viewing840

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.