2003 BMW R Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › BMW › R Series › 2003
These records cover every 2003 BMW R Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Motorcycle fires
Unlike most motorcycles, where a sight glass IS used to determine engine oil level, the subject, air-cooled, motorcycles are built by BMW with a polymer (plastic) sight glass that, in some instances, melts due to high engine/oil temperature.this typically occurs when the motorcycle IS operated contrary to bmw's owner…
Unlike most motorcycles, where a sight glass IS used to determine engine oil level, the subject, air-cooled, motorcycles are built by BMW with a polymer (plastic) sight glass that, in some instances, melts due to high engine/oil temperature.this typically occurs when the motorcycle IS operated contrary to bmw's owner manual admonition: warning:do not keep the engine running while the motorcycle IS at a standstill -- risk of overheating and fire.each of the alleged fires occurred while the motorcycle was parked and idling.odi IS unaware of any structure fires where a melted sight glass IS the root cause.of the eight known fires, one occurred in 2000, three in 2004 and again in 2005, and one in february, 2007.the subject vehicles do not have an elevated fire-related insurance claims history. Based on the low incidence rate, it appears bmw's warning IS effective and no defect trend IS identified.further use of agency resources appears unwarranted.this investigation's closing does not constitute a nhtsa finding that no safety-related defect exists and we reserve the right to take further action if warranted.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10147848Bluetooth issues between Navigators, mobile phones, communication and audio systems.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
- 10030825BMW motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. BMW motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine fuels containing up to a maximum of 10% ethanol and imposes no warranty restrictions. Ethanol mixtures in proportions higher than 10% can have an adverse effect on performance and can result in damage to components that come into contract with fuel. No warranty claims whatsoever for damage caused in this way will be accepted. No model years listed.
Every BMW R Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.