Riding to a stop and my front brakes locked up at about 10 MPH. They freed up and I got a brake failure and ABS warning light on the instrument panel. After a restart, it went away. Upon restarting, I took off and found that the warnings came back and I had no rear brake pedal and also no front brake pressure at the lever. Checking the master cylinder, I found it dry. The right front brake hose had developed a leak at the fitting. How this could have affected the rear brakes, I am not aware. Doing research, I find that it is a common issue with this model. This is wrong. There should be a recall issued.
The worst 2002 BMW RT Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission6
- Brakes4
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission6
- Brakes4
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Fuel line leakage
Bmw is conducting a recall (04v‑028).an information request(ir)response was not received. Upon bmw's receipt of the ir, and after discussions with odi, bmwdetermined that a recall was necessary. On certain motorcycles, the o-ring contained within the fuel line quick-disconnect coupling could become damaged.further, there is also a problem involving crimp-type hose clamps, which can also result in a small fuel leak.dealers will inspect, and if necessary, adjust all crimp-type hose clamps.also all fuel line quick-disconnect couplings will be inspected.if a leak is detected, the quick-disconnect o-ring will be replaced.if damaged, the coupling will be replaced.owner notification is expected to begin during february 2004.
PE03054
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 BMW RT Series 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- If the connector is badly positioned, the blue cable from the alternator to the charge indicator light can...
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
- Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel...
- Bmw motorcycle: engine fuels containing ethanol. bmw motorrad has no objection to the use of si engine...
What 2002 BMW RT Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have have had the same failure as described in odi no. 10439549, and > currently being investigated under campaign dp12001.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw r1150rt motorcycle. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the ABS warning light was illuminated and the ABS malfunctioned. The motorcycle was towed to the dealer and the ABS control unit was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 42,101.
1. Normal driving along a roadway. 2. Sudden loss of propulsion without any warning at all. Motorcycle stopped dead in its tracks. Pushed motorcycle through traffic to breakdown lane.risking injury and/or death in the process. 3. Personally investigated failure. Very common failure of this production run motorcycle. 2002 bmw r1150 rt. 20%-25% of motorcycles in this production run experience this catastrophic failure without any warning. Replace clutch for stripped splines and replaced transmission input shaft for stripped splines. Bmw is well aware of this widespread failure occurring in 2000 to 2004 motorcycles in the entire 1150 model line with 6 speed transmission. Is due to a defect in manufacturing or workmanship. If this catastrophic failure happened to me while I was on a multilane highway, I would've been stranded in a middle lane with the high speed traffic traveling by me at highway speeds, trying to push a 600 lb motorcycle over to the side of the road. This is a very dangerous failure that happens without warning. I have notified the manufacturer of this issue. They are aware that there is a very high percentage of these types of premature failure of the parts on this particular model run. That the failure is not due to neglect, misuse, or lack of maintenance. That it is strictly a defect in materials or workmanship.
Final drive bearing in 2002 bmw r1150rt motorcycle.
Drove vehicle 10 miles and parked in garage. Came back one hour later and fuel fumes permeated the garage. Pool of fuel observed under the right hand cylinder of 2002 bmw r1150rt motorcycle with floor area of garage and stowed items soaked in gasoline. Extreme danger of explosion in garage had water heater or gas furnace had started to operate. Quick disconnect in pressurized fuel supply line had failed. Item had been serviced under a recall notice 04v‑028 by san jose bmw in june 2006. Internet search reveals this is a systemic problem with bmw motorcycles due to a 'latent defect' in plastic being employed in the quick disconnect and o ring prone to failure. O ring and plastic material used in fuel line quick disconnect does not stand up to gasoline, especially ethanol blended gasoline as used in california sf bay area. Bmw aware of this systemic problem but has failed to act responsible and issue a recall specifying metal based (brass, steel, or stainless steel) quick disconnect connectors along with viton o-rings that will withstand ethanol blended gasoline and the 40 psi line pressure in the bmw motorcycles fuel supply lines to the fuel injection system. Failure could result in fire at speed on a highway or an explosion and fire when motorcycle is parked in an enclosed area such as a garage with an ignition source (heater/furnace) when these critical fuel system component(s) fail and leak the contents of the fuel tank to the floor. Bmw recall 04v‑028 does not fully resolve this serious hazard, resulting in a high probability of a main fuel system leak and potential for serious injury and/or property damage.
Event occurred on october 1, 2006. Motorcycle was heading northbound on 202 north near the town of flemington. Upon approaching a yellow light, rider engaged brakes only to find that they were not working properly (didn't see flashing red lights until after the fact). Sped through the yellow light and made it safely through it. Brakes servos on the motorcycle would not engage. Tried restarting the motorcycle to no avail.
While traveling at highway speed, went over bump (bridge overpass) and lost power to rear wheel - vehicle began making loud grinding noise. Was found that input shaf was stripped in clutch plate. Input shaft/clutch and related parts was replaced and was covered under warranty.
Transmission failure again, loud ratteling noise transmission was replaced june 19 2003 by bmw motorcyles of daytona beach, bmw motor comapany will not fix, bike is still under factory warranty of 3 years 36,000 miles.
Transmission failures, transmission and clutch assembly replaced, complaint was loud rattling noise sounded like somting was about to break in there.
Compare the 2002 BMW RT Series
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Questions about the 2002 BMW RT Series
Is the 2002 BMW RT Series reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2002 BMW RT Series, close to a typical RT Series model year.
What is the 2002 BMW RT Series year score?
The 2002 BMW RT Series scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW RT Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW RT Series?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints, typically around 27,000 miles. Next is brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW RT Series have?
No recalls on record.
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