RoadVitals

2014 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.
6
Latest May 25, 2022
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 BMW G 650 Gs, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Engine555.6%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%

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

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

Engine
Filed May 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 BMW G 650 GS. The contact stated while riding at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled at approximately 2,000 RPM. The contact coasted safely to the side of the road and restarted the motorcycle. The contact had to maintain a high RPM to keep the motorcycle running. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the motorcycle to an independent mechanic or the dealer. The motorcycle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,200.

NHTSA ID
11466053
Incident
May 22, 2022
Mileage
3,200 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW G 650 GS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO CROSS COUNTRY BMW (911 MIDDLESEX AVE, METUCHEN, NJ 08840, (732) 635-0094), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,700.

NHTSA ID
11110811
Incident
May 10, 2017
Mileage
6,700 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW G650GS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECU SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V689000 (POWER TRAIN), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10930376
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
10,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW G 650 GS. WHILE RIDING AT 5 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V537000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ID
10825378
Incident
Aug 31, 2015
Mileage
4,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 10, 2015

I BROUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR THE RECALL, #15V537 ENGINE CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE (REPROGRAMMING TO ELIMINATE A HAZARDOUS STALLING PROBLEM) IN OCT 2015. THE REQUIRED REPAIR WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK AND THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS ON A HEAVILY FOGGY DAY THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM. I RODE IT FOR A FEW MORE DAYS (CLEAR WEATHER) WITH NO PROBLEM AND THEN ON ANOTHER HEAVILY FOGGY DAY I RODE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE BIKE IN FOR DIAGONOSTICS. THEY MADE NUMEROUS TEST RIDES ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE I REPORTED TO THEM THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON FOGGY DAYS THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING THE MOTORCYCLE BACK AND THEY WOULD TRY A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IN ONE INSTANCE I PULLED OUT AND THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED WHILE A CAR WAS APPROACHING. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET RUN DOWN BECAUSE I COULDN'T DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE OUT OF THE SITUATION. IF THE STALLING OCCURS IN A CRITICAL ATTITUDE, LIKE A TURN, THERE IS A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY OF FALLING OVER AND CRASHING. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 2848 MILES ON IT. THESE EVENTS OCCURRED OVER A THREE MONTH PERIOD FROM OCT 2015 TO DEC 2015.

NHTSA ID
10809569
Incident
Dec 10, 2015
Mileage
2,800 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW G 650 GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300.

NHTSA ID
10784999
Incident
Nov 30, 2014
Mileage
4,300 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.

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.

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.

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—
2014Viewing620—
2013220—
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.