BMW IS RECALLING 1,980 MY 2007-2008 F800 S AND F800 ST MOTORCYCLES

Jun 02, 2008 — Recall Campaign #08V241000

BMW IS RECALLING 1,980 MY 2007-2008 F800 S AND F800 ST MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE, PRESSURE EQUALIZATION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK IS POSSIBLE ONLY TO A LIMITED EXTENT. CONSEQUENTLY, AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK CAN DEFORM. IF THIS HAPPENED AT THE POINT WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS SHAPED TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE FOR THE REAR WHEEL, THEN, IN COMBINATION WITH A LARGE PAYLOAD, THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK COULD RUB AGAINST THE REAR WHEEL.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 1,980 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

08V241000

Manufacturer:	BMW of North America, LLC
Recall date:	June 02, 2008
NHTSA Campaign #:	08V241000
Units affected:	1,980

Description:: BMW IS RECALLING 1,980 MY 2007-2008 F800 S AND F800 ST MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE, PRESSURE EQUALIZATION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK IS POSSIBLE ONLY TO A LIMITED EXTENT. CONSEQUENTLY, AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK CAN DEFORM. IF THIS HAPPENED AT THE POINT WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS SHAPED TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE FOR THE REAR WHEEL, THEN, IN COMBINATION WITH A LARGE PAYLOAD, THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK COULD RUB AGAINST THE REAR WHEEL.
Consequeces:: IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A LEAK COULD DEVELOP IN THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
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 F800 ST Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW F800 ST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, HE NOTICED A CHIRPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE REAR AXLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE DUE TO THE REAR BEARING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.;
2008 BMW F 800 ST Complaints
WHILE RIDING MY BMW F800ST ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, I NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. MY DRIVE BELT ALSO SEEMED TO BE SHIFTING OUT FROM THE WHEEL. AT THE TIME I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, BUT WHEN I RETURNED HOME FROM MY TRIP, I RESEARCHED TO FIND THERE WAS A REAR BEARING RECALL 13V-549 FOR 2007-2009 BMW F800ST. MY MECHANIC VERIFIED THE PROBLEM WAS THE REAR WHEEL BEARING PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. I ONLY HAVE 22K MILES ON THIS MOTORCYCLE, SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY PREMATURE WEAR. THE BEARING COSTED ME $965 FROM BMW DEALER PLUS $480 LABOR COST AND $82 IN TAX. I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO TOLD ME MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE BEARING WORE OUT PREMATURELY, AND HOW THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE CERTAIN MODELS WHERE THEY USED DIFFERENT BEARINGS, OR INSTALLED IT DIFFERENTLY THAT IT WOULD NOT PREMATURELY WEAR. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONSIDER MY REQUEST FOR RE-REVIEW. THAT WAS 3 MONTHS AGO, AND I DIDN'T HEAR BACK FROM BMW AT ALL. WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT HAD IT FAILED ON MY RIDE HOME.;
2008 BMW F800 ST Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW F800 ST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. IN ADDITION, THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND THE REAR WHEELS WOBBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.;