RoadVitals

2013 BMW G 650 Gs

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 May 12, 2017
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 Sep 26, 2016
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW G 650 Gs, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Engine240.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%

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
16V689000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Sep 26, 2016
1,398 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 BMW G650GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to October 12, 2015, and 2013-2015 BMW G650GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall during operation due to an engine control unit (ECU) software issue.
The risk: If the engine stalls during operation, it increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 18, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-537. Motorcycles that were repaired under that recall need to have their software updated again as part of this campaign.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
15V537000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Aug 24, 2015
1,060 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch lever is pulled in.
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 12, 2017

THE ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE REGULATES IDLE SPEED. WHEN THE CLUTCH LEVER IS EGAGAGED, AND THE ENGINE IS OPERATING AT IDLE, THE MOTORCYCLE ABRUPTLY STALLS REAGARDLESS OF SPEED. IT CAUSED A NEAR -REAR END CRASH AS ANY DOWNSHIFTING RESULTED IN STALLS INSTEAD OF IDLE.

NHTSA ID
10985115
Incident
May 12, 2016
Mileage
1,200 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 20, 2016

ENGINE CONTROL UNIT: WHEN THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE SPEED IS NEAR IDLE, THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT TURNS OFF THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME THE MOTORCYCLE NEEDS TO COME TO A STOP (TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP SIGN, ETC.). WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED IS KEPT ABOVE 3000 RPMS, THE BIKE RUNS FINE AND IDLES FINE IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT THROTTLE INPUT.

NHTSA ID
10936425
Incident
Dec 19, 2016
Mileage
36,000 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.

B170318

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level.

SIM010717

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification

SIM010617

SERVICE BRAKES

Visual Inspection of Brake discs/Rotors for new car deliveries

SIM010917

EQUIPMENT

Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC

MC61223015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE

Idling is occasionally unstable (most often after long journeys); the engine sometimes cuts out and will do so again after being restarted. Software issue.

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 G 650 Gs by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016510—
2015420—
2014620—
2013Viewing220—
2011100—
2009200—

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.