RoadVitals

2016 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.
5
Latest Jul 8, 2020
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 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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 BMW G 650 Gs, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

  • Engine457.1%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW G650 GS MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO CYCLE CENTER OF DENTON (521 ACME ST, DENTON, TX 76205) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DESCRIBE THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 65 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER TO INFORM OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK IF INFORMATION RELATED TO THE FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V689000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,272.

NHTSA ID
11338279
Incident
Jul 8, 2020
Mileage
8,272 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 19, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW G650GS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD STALL WHENEVER THE THROTTLE WAS RELEASED AT ANY SPEED. IF THE THROTTLE WAS CONSTANT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED. THE MOTORCYCLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA ID
10990587
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
300 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2017

STALLING WHILE IN OPERATION EVEN AFTER WARMING UP FOR 5-10 MINUTES ON IDLE. STALLS WHILE CLUTCH IS IN AND RPM BELOW 2000.

NHTSA ID
10947966
Incident
Jan 26, 2017
Mileage
1,544 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 15, 2016

I PREVIOUSLY LEFT A PHONE COMPLAINT #10926258 WITH NHSTA AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR MY EXACT PROBLEM (RECALL 16V-689) HOWEVER MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL AFTER CONTACTING BMW MOTORRAD USA AND THUS THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO OTHER THAN RECOMMEND ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT SERVICED AT A DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THAT FOR A SAFETY CONCERN THAT I THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE FAULTED INTO PAYING FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND REVIEW OF A BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE. A SUMMORY OF MY ISSUE: MY VEHICLE STALLS AND THE ENGINE DIES WHEN BELOW A CERTAIN RPM THRESHOLD OR WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND IS UNABLE TO START AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 SEPARATE TIMES ON MY MOTORCYCLE WITH LESS THAT 1000 MILES ON IT. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS 14NOV16 AT 215PM PST. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT GOING TO BE RESOLVED BECAUSE OF THE SECLUSION OF MY PARTICULAR VIN WITH RECALL 16V-689. I WILL ATTEMPT TO DOCUMENT THE NEXT OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE TO FURTHER HELP MY CAUSE IN GETTING THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY MOTORCYCLE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID
10926289
Incident
Nov 14, 2016
Mileage
720 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW G650GS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 720.

NHTSA ID
10926258
Incident
Nov 14, 2016
Mileage
720 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.

TEC24

EQUIPMENT

Tech24 Snap-in Adapter Return

TEC26

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TEC26 Turbo Charger Return

TEC25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tec25 Wishbone Return

SIM110115

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MINI engine oil part number transition and model year 2016 engine oils

SIM010603

EQUIPMENT

MINI "Enhanced" dealer self authorized (DSA)K goodwill program

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
2016Viewing510—
2015420—
2014620—
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.