BMW F650GS · model year

2001 BMW F650GS

16 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001BMWF650GS carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 F650GS is fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system with 3 filings, followed by suspension:front (3) and visibility:rearview mirrors/devices (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2001 F650GS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

16
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM3
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES2
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
STRUCTURE1

Recalls (1)

00V26700012/09/2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL TANK IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARBON CANISTER WHICH HELPS CONTROL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS CANISTER IS MOUNTED TO A METAL INSERT THAT IS INTEGRATED INTO THE TANK. DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, THE THICKNESS OF THE FUEL TANK MATERIAL I

Recent Complaints

20091001CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

2001 BMW F650GS FRONT FORK FAILURE - WHILE RIDING ON SMOOTH ASPHALT MY MOTORCYCLE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FORK FAILURE DURING DECELERATION - BRAKING CAUSING THE AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE FORK AND CAUSING A ONE VEHICLE COLLISION RIDING IT INTO THE ESPLANADE - WHERE THE AXLE RETAINER BOLT SECURES THE AXLE. REPAIRS COMPLETED - REPLACE BOTH UPPER FORK TUBES / RIGHT SIDE LOWER AND REBUILD COST $800 CDN OLD LOWER - FAILURE IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 14,000

20091001CrashSTRUCTURE

2001 BMW F650GS FRONT FORK FAILURE - WHILE RIDING ON SMOOTH ASPHALT MY MOTORCYCLE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FORK FAILURE DURING DECELERATION - BRAKING CAUSING THE AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE FORK AND CAUSING A ONE VEHICLE COLLISION RIDING IT INTO THE ESPLANADE - WHERE THE AXLE RETAINER BOLT SECURES THE AXLE. REPAIRS COMPLETED - REPLACE BOTH UPPER FORK TUBES / RIGHT SIDE LOWER AND REBUILD COST $800 CDN OLD LOWER - FAILURE IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 14,000

20090814CrashSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED <=45 MPH MOTORCYCLE CRASH WITH A MEDIUM SIZED DOG (APPROX 50 LBS) BACK IN THE FALL OF 2005. I WAS RIDING A 2001 BMW F650 WHEN THE DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I COULDN'T AVOID HITTING IT. I APPROXIMATE THE SPEED OF IMPACT AROUND 45 MPH. I SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND SLIDE ALONG THE PAVEMENT FOR APPROX 300 FT. THE DAMAGE TO THE BIKE CONSISTED OF A BROKEN FRONT FORK AND BENT FRONT WHEEL RIM. I HAD THE BIKE REPAIRED AND INSURANCE COVERED MOST OF THE DAMAGES TO THE BIKE. I DID SUFFER A KNEE INJURY IN THE CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20090814CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

I WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED <=45 MPH MOTORCYCLE CRASH WITH A MEDIUM SIZED DOG (APPROX 50 LBS) BACK IN THE FALL OF 2005. I WAS RIDING A 2001 BMW F650 WHEN THE DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I COULDN'T AVOID HITTING IT. I APPROXIMATE THE SPEED OF IMPACT AROUND 45 MPH. I SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND SLIDE ALONG THE PAVEMENT FOR APPROX 300 FT. THE DAMAGE TO THE BIKE CONSISTED OF A BROKEN FRONT FORK AND BENT FRONT WHEEL RIM. I HAD THE BIKE REPAIRED AND INSURANCE COVERED MOST OF THE DAMAGES TO THE BIKE. I DID SUFFER A KNEE INJURY IN THE CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20081226CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT

-MOTORCYCLE -BMW 2001 F650GS -SUNNY DAY -STRAIGHT, RURAL CITY STREET -35MPH -CROSSED RAILROAD TRACKS -60FT LATER FELT BRAKING FROM FRONT TIRE, THEN BIKE SLID OVER TO LEFT, ME TO RIGHT -PERSONAL INJURY: BROKEN COLLAR BONE, BRUISES, MEDIUM ROAD RASH, 10 HOURS AT HOSPITAL -FRONT FORK AXLE FLANGE WAS BROKEN, INTACT, FROM MAIN CYLINDRICAL SHOCK HOUSE, AS IF SOMEONE CUT THE FLANGE OUT OF THE CYLINDRICAL SHOCK. -NEW FRONT SHOCK WAS PURCHASED, AND NEW SHOCK HAS DESIGN CHANGE THAT INCLUDES A STRESS RELIEVING GUSSET. *TR

Mileage: 1,400

20080729FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY WIFE'S MOTORCYCLE, A BMW F650GS SEEMED TO BE SMELLING OF GASOLINE WHILE RUNNING IT. THE LEAK WAS NOT EVIDENT IN DRIPS OR A PUDDLE SO I BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE THE BIKE WHILE CONSEQUENTLY DOING OTHER MAINTENANCE. I FOUND A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE SEAT, ON TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AREA. UPON CLOSER INVESTIGATION I FOUND A PIN HOLE SIZED LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK ITSELF, FROM WHICH FUEL WAS SPRAYING IN A STREAM. INVESTIGATING CLOSER I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MINUTE CRACKS ON THE TOP OF THE SAME AREA, AND FUEL WAS COMING UP THROUGH THEM. *TR

Mileage: 44,261

20040527FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I BOUGHT A BMW MOTORCYCLE ABOUT 3 1/2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. IT WAS RECALLED FOR FAULTY REAR BRAKE, SEVERAL FUEL INJECTION SOFTWARE UPGRAGES DUE TO HORRIBLE STALLING PROBLEMS, AND ON THE MESSAGE BOARD DEVOTED TO THE BMW 650 GS, I HEAR OF A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL FAILINGS. MINE STALLED SINCE NEW, I'VE BEEN THROUGH THEIR SOFTWAR UPGRADES THAT SOMETIMES MADE THINGS BETTER AND SOMETIMES NOT. NOW IT STALLS VERY BADLY AGAIN, BUT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY BMW'S OUTRAGEIOUS SHOP RATES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. BY THE WAY, EVEN WHEN BMW WAS COMING OUT WITH SEVERAL SOFTWARE UPGRADES, THEY CONTINTUALLY DENIED THE PROBLEM. MY BIKE STALLS SO BADLY THAT I AM AFRAID TO RIDE IT FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL AT A TIME WHEN MY SAFETY WILL BE PUT IN JEOPARDY. SO, AT 3 1/2 YEARS OLD, IT HAS ONLY 4,000 MILES ON IT. THE WORST THING I HAVE HEARD OF LATE IS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE '01 MODELS (WHICH I HAVE) LEAKING GAS! WHAT'S NEXT?! ALL THE BI

20031230ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT WOULD PERFORM PROPERLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS PRESENT. *SC *JB

Mileage: 500

20031230ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

YEAR 2001 BMW F650GS MOTORCYCLE. FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE REASON, THE ENGINE IDLE DROPS TO ZERO AND THE ENGINE STALLS. IF YOU KNOW TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF THEN ON AGAIN, THE IDLE WILL BE RESTORED WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS STARTED.

Mileage: 14,000

20030731VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

MIRROR ON 2001 BMW F650 GS MOTORCYCLE FOLDS BACK. STARTED ON HOT DAY. NOW FOLDS BACK AT 20 MPH. *PH

20030606VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BMW F650GSA SURGES AND STALLS. YOU CAN NEVER TELL WHEN IT'S GOING TO DO EITHER. ONE TIME I WAS IN THE REDWOOD FOREST OUT BY BOGEDA BAY CALIFORNIA AND BEFORE I KNEW IT I WAS A SURGING SO HARD I THOUGTH I WAS GOING TO BE BUCKED OFF. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SAYS THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. IF YOU KEEP AFTER THEM THEY WILL SAY TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IN VERY HIGH RPM'S. I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE OR SOUNDS LIKE WHEN I'M DOING 25MPH AT 6000 RPMS WHICH IS JUST BELOW THE REDLINE LIMIT.*AK

20021022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

MOTORCYCLE STALLS AT STOPS AND THIS HAS PRESENTED SEVERAL DANGEROUS MOMENTS. MR

20020603VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

THE TWO REARVIEW MIRRORS CONTINUALLY MOVED AND TURNED INWARD RENDERING THEM USELESS AFTER REACHING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO INDICATION OF MANUFACTURER CORRECTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO RETURN FOR A NEW PAIR IF THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS AT MY OWN LOSS OF TIME AND IN-CONVENIENCE. CONDITION PRESENTED A DANGEROUS SITUATION ONE DAY WHILE RIDING IN HEAVY WIND AND I HAD TO CONSTANTLY WATCH OVER MY SHOULDER WHERE TRAFFIC WAS DURING THIS DIFFICULT CONDITION.*AK

20020515VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

BOTH MIRRORS MOVE AT BALL JOINT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE HOTTER THE WEATHER THE MORE THEY MOVE. THIS BRINGS FOR DANGEROUS RIDING WHEN TRAVELLING WITH OTHER CARS BECAUSE THE MIRRORS MOVE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT FAST AND YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLLY REAJUST THEM. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE REPLACEMENT MIRRORS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD FROM NUMEROUSE OTHER BIKERS WITH THE SAME MODEL BIKE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT.*AK

20010827FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

MOTORCYCLE STALLS OUT WHEN AT INTERSECTIONS OR WHEN MOTOR COMES TO AN IDLE. WHEN RIDING IT BACKFIRES ALLOT WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN. FRONT RIM BUCKELED WHERE THE RIM IS WELDED TOGETHER FRONT THE WELDING PROCESS .HEATING AND COOLING OF THE RIM CAUSED THIS

20010606FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

INTERMITTENTLY MOTORCYCCLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. BUT, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK

Compare 2001BMWF650GS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 BMW F650GS have?
The 2001 BMW F650GS has 16 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 BMW F650GS?
Yes, the 2001 BMW F650GS has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW F650GS?
The most-complained component for the 2001 BMW F650GS is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:FRONT and VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES.
Is the 2001 BMW F650GS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.