BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE · model year

2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE

1 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003BMWR 1150 GS ADVENTURE carries 1 consumer safety complaint in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 2003 R 1150 GS ADVENTURE is power train with 1 filings. 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 2 active recall campaigns, 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 2003 R 1150 GS ADVENTURE. 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.

1
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN1

Recalls (2)

02V31900027/11/2002

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH TRANSMISSION GEAR (SHIFT) WHEELS MAY NOT BE SECURELY SEATED ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TWO GEARS MAY OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.

03V32500026/08/2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE REAR BRAKE HOSE, THE HOSE MAY SPLIT OPEN DURING RIDING CONDITIONS IN WHICH A FULL EXTENSION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION OCCURS. IN SOME CASES, THE HOSE MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN ROUTED INCORRECTLY TO THE CALIPER AGGRAVATING THE CONDITION.

Recent Complaints

20131007POWER TRAIN

THE THIRD REAR DRIVE FAILURE ON THE MY 2004/2003 1150 GSA MOTORCYCLE. THE LAST ONE HAPPENED IN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. AND JUNE OF THIS YEAR THE FIRST TIME THE FINAL DRIVE FAILED IT HAPPENED IN AUGUST IN 2010 ON MY WAY HOME ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WASHINGTON, THIS PAST JUNE 2013 IT HAPPENED IN LOGAN UTAH AND THIS PAST FRIDAY OCTOBER 4 IT HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 10. I AM LUCKY THE BIKE AND I MANAGED TO STAY UPRIGHT BECAUSE THE GEAR OIL FROM THE FINAL DRIVE WAS ALL OVER THE REAR TIRE. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 92,000

Compare 2003BMWR 1150 GS ADVENTURE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE have?
The 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE has 1 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE?
Yes, the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE?
The most-complained component for the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE is POWER TRAIN with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include various components.
Is the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS ADVENTURE 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.