ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, FREQUENT SHORT TRIPS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD TEMPERATURES

Feb 23, 2007 — Recall Campaign #07V066000

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, FREQUENT SHORT TRIPS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, CAN CAUSE WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE OIL TANK, AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, ESCAPING WATER VAPOR CAN CONDENSE ON THE OIL TANK AIR BLEED VALVE. IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THIS WATER COULD FREEZE AND BLOCK THE AIR BLEED VALVE.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 6,631 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

07V066000

Manufacturer:	BMW of North America, LLC
Recall date:	February 23, 2007
NHTSA Campaign #:	07V066000
Units affected:	6,631

Description:: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, FREQUENT SHORT TRIPS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, CAN CAUSE WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE OIL TANK, AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, ESCAPING WATER VAPOR CAN CONDENSE ON THE OIL TANK AIR BLEED VALVE. IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THIS WATER COULD FREEZE AND BLOCK THE AIR BLEED VALVE.
Consequeces:: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A PRESSURE BUILD UP IN THE OIL TANK COULD CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE REAR TIRE. AN OIL LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE. OIL ON THE REAR TIRE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW OIL TANK CAP CONTAINING A VALVE TO PREVENT OVERPRESSURE IN THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes:: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2007 BMW K1200 GT Complaints
I HAVE A 2007 K1200GT MOTORCYCLE, AN EARLY PRODUCTION MODEL, THAT HAS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE SPEED CONTROL - THE ENGINE EXPECTEDLY REVS UP AND DOWN (HUNTS). I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND BMW NORTH AMERICA SERVICE BULLETIN 13 003 07 (058), WHICH DESCRIBES THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE BIKE. THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS INTENDED FOR THESE EARLY PRODUCTION BIKES. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE ONLY SURFACED RELATIVELY RECENT ON MY BIKE, WHICH IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ONLY 12,000 MILES ON THE BIKE AT THE TIME. I TOOK THE BIKE INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BMW DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. THEN CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY HAVE ALSO REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS, AS THE BIKE WILL CUT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND/OR ACCELERATE DESPITE CLOSING THE THROTTLE, AS IS NECESSARY WHEN APPROACHING A CORNER. AS A SENIOR PRODUCT SAFETY ENGINEER WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE, I FIND THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND AM SHOCKED THAT BMW NA HAVE NOT VOLUNTARILY ADDRESSED THIS ON ALL EARLY PRODUCTION UNITS.;
2007 BMW K1200 R Complaints
THERE IS A FACTORY FUEL STRIP THAT CAUSES THE FUEL GAUGE TO GIVE AN IMPROPER READING. IT SHOWS HALF FULL WHEN THERE ISN'T ANY GAS LEFT AND GIVES NO WARNING. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO STALL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TWO TIMES AND ONCE I WAS ALMOST HIT DOING 60 MPH.;
2007 BMW K1200 R SPORT Complaints
MY FUEL GAUGE IS ONCE AGAIN READING COMPLETELY EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I'VE ONLY GONE 40 MILES ON THE CURRENT TANK WHICH HAS A RANGE OF ABOUT 240 MILES. I JUST HAD THE 5TH FUEL STRIP SENSOR IN MY TANK REPLACED BY MY LOCAL DEALER. BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YET DOES NOTHING, EXCEPT SAY THEY ARE SORRY. *JB;
2007 BMW K1200 S Complaints
FUEL WAS LEAKING EXCESSIVELY AT THE END OF 2.5 HR RIDE. REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BY BMW DEALER 3 DAYS LATER. THEY REPLACED THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT THREADS INTO BOTTOM OF FUEL TANK BECAUSE IT WAS CRACKED. I WAS CHARGED FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE IT WASN'T UNDER THE OTHER FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. TO HAVE A PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS PRONE TO BREAKAGE ABOVE SUCH A POWERFUL ENGINE IS NOT SAFE. *TR;