Total Complaints
9 filings
BMW F650GS · model year
2002 BMW F650GS
9 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002BMWF650GS carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 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 2002 F650GS is visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior with 2 filings, followed by suspension:front (2) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (1). 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.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2002 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.
9
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20101005CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT
1. "WOBBLE" IN THE FRONT FORKS OF MY F650GS FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. THEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FORK CASTING FROM THE WHEEL HUB OF THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY 2002 F650GS. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THROUGH A ROUND-ABOUT IN WOODINVILLE, WA WHEN IT FAILED. 2. AFTER COMING OUT OF A ROUND ABOUT NORTH BOUND ON THE WOODINVILLE-REDMOND ROAD IN WOODINVILLE, WA GOING ABOUT 10 MPH. THE CASTING FAILED. SO FAR, THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE BIKE, MY HELMET, MY GLOVES, MY RIDING JACKET (WITH BODY ARMOUR), AND DISLOCATED SHOULDER TO MY PERSON WITH POTENTIAL TENDON AND LIGAMENT DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER. 3. SO FAR THE BIKE IS IN THE LOCAL BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP (RIDE WEST SEATTLE) AND IS WAITING FOR THE ESTIMATES. *TR
20080815CrashWHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW F650GS. WHILE RIDING AT 65 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE, WOBBLED, AND PROCEEDED TO THROW THE CONTACT FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE HANDLE BARS DISCONNECTED AND NO LONGER CONTROLLED THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE ASPHALT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURES TO HER LEFT FOREARM AND HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 10/28/08 *BF UPDATED 10/30/08. *JB
Mileage: 30,000
20080815CrashSTEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW F650GS. WHILE RIDING AT 65 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE, WOBBLED, AND PROCEEDED TO THROW THE CONTACT FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE HANDLE BARS DISCONNECTED AND NO LONGER CONTROLLED THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE ASPHALT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURES TO HER LEFT FOREARM AND HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 10/28/08 *BF UPDATED 10/30/08. *JB
Mileage: 30,000
20080815CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW F650GS. WHILE RIDING AT 65 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE, WOBBLED, AND PROCEEDED TO THROW THE CONTACT FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE HANDLE BARS DISCONNECTED AND NO LONGER CONTROLLED THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE ASPHALT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURES TO HER LEFT FOREARM AND HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 10/28/08 *BF UPDATED 10/30/08. *JB
Mileage: 30,000
20020822FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM IS A DEFECT OR SMALL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC. FUEL SEEPS OUT AND PUDDLES UNDER THE SEAT. I PLAN TO SAVE THE OLD PART WHEN THE DEALER FIXES TEH PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. ON AN INTERNET DISCUSSION SITE I SAW TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE AND YEAR. THE ENGINE/FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM IS STALLING. MOTORCYCLE WILL RUN FINE FOR MANY WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. ONCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS SHUT OFF (KEY IN OFF POSITION) AND TURNED BACK ON IT WILL START AND RUN FINE. THERE IS SLIGHT SURGING PROBLEM TOO. THIS SURGING PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE NOT KEEPING A CONSTANT SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS HELD IN A FIXED POSITION.
20020822FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM IS A DEFECT OR SMALL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC. FUEL SEEPS OUT AND PUDDLES UNDER THE SEAT. I PLAN TO SAVE THE OLD PART WHEN THE DEALER FIXES TEH PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. ON AN INTERNET DISCUSSION SITE I SAW TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE AND YEAR. THE ENGINE/FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM IS STALLING. MOTORCYCLE WILL RUN FINE FOR MANY WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. ONCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS SHUT OFF (KEY IN OFF POSITION) AND TURNED BACK ON IT WILL START AND RUN FINE. THERE IS SLIGHT SURGING PROBLEM TOO. THIS SURGING PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE NOT KEEPING A CONSTANT SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS HELD IN A FIXED POSITION.
20020822VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM IS A DEFECT OR SMALL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC. FUEL SEEPS OUT AND PUDDLES UNDER THE SEAT. I PLAN TO SAVE THE OLD PART WHEN THE DEALER FIXES TEH PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. ON AN INTERNET DISCUSSION SITE I SAW TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE AND YEAR. THE ENGINE/FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM IS STALLING. MOTORCYCLE WILL RUN FINE FOR MANY WEEKS AND THEN IT WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. ONCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS SHUT OFF (KEY IN OFF POSITION) AND TURNED BACK ON IT WILL START AND RUN FINE. THERE IS SLIGHT SURGING PROBLEM TOO. THIS SURGING PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE NOT KEEPING A CONSTANT SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS HELD IN A FIXED POSITION.
20020724VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
REAR VIEW MIRRORS OF BMW F650GS MOTORCYCLE FOLD BACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 85 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES LOSS OF ABILITY TO SEE BEHIND VEHICLE. MIRRORS WILL NOT STAY ADJUSTED.*AK
20020724VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
REAR VIEW MIRRORS OF BMW F650GS MOTORCYCLE FOLD BACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 85 DEGREES. THIS CAUSES LOSS OF ABILITY TO SEE BEHIND VEHICLE. MIRRORS WILL NOT STAY ADJUSTED.*AK
Compare 2002BMWF650GS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2002 BMW F650GS have?▼
The 2002 BMW F650GS has 9 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW F650GS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2002 BMW F650GS is VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:FRONT and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2002 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.