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BMW R 1250 Motorcycles Have Unclear Brake Fluid Cap

NHTSA campaign 20V166000 · Reported Mar 19, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

high How serious is it? About this label

Incorrect brake fluid or improper reservoir filling can affect how well the brakes work, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V166000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 19, 2020
Manufacturer	BMW of North America, LLC
Part affected	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
Vehicles covered	6 model/year combinations, model years 2019–2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Certain BMW R 1250 GS, GS Adventure, R, and RT motorcycles have a brake fluid reservoir cap that may not clearly show the type of brake fluid needed or how to fill the reservoir correctly. Without that information, an owner or mechanic could use the wrong fluid or fill it incorrectly during maintenance.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your motorcycle is included.
2. Contact a BMW dealer to have the brake fluid reservoir cap replaced; BMW customer service is at 1-800-525-7417.
3. The replacement cap is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 20V166000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (6)

2019 BMW R 1250 GS
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
2019 BMW R 1250 RT
2020 BMW R 1250 GS
2020 BMW R 1250 R
2020 BMW R 1250 RT

Who to contact

BMW — official BMW recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-525-7417

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

BMW Hydraulic Brake Recalls Involving Leaks, Calipers, and Brake Assistance · all 11 BMW recalls in this area

Other BMW R 1250 GS recalls

Jan 18, 2023BMW Motorcycle Gearbox Shaft May Breakhigh
Aug 20, 2020BMW motorcycle tire pressure labels may fall offmedium
Aug 13, 2020BMW Motorcycle Front Brake Fluid Leakhigh
Mar 19, 2020BMW R1250GS/RT Final Drive Pivot Pin May Loosenhigh
Mar 19, 2020BMW Aftermarket Brake Fluid Cap Missing Fluid Infohigh
Mar 12, 2020BMW Motorcycles: Brake Light May Flash Insteadhigh

Official notice

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Safety risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.