BMW R 18 Reverse Gear Unit May Overheat
critical How serious is it? About this label
The reverse gear control unit overheating increases the risk of a fire. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V658000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Power Train:manual Transmission:seals/gaskets |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2021–2022 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
On affected BMW R 18 motorcycles with the optional reverse gear, a seal on the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate. Moisture can then get inside the unit, which may overheat. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit. Motorcycles that already received a repair under the previous recall still need this new repair, according to the notice.
What you should do
2. Contact a BMW dealer to arrange service, even if the previous recall repair was completed; BMW customer service is available at 1-800-525-7417.
3. Have the dealer replace the reverse gear control unit. The repair 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 26V658000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
Who to contact
BMW — official BMW recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-525-7417
The bigger picture
- BMW Power Train Recalls Cover Transmission Failures and Reverse Gear Overheating · all 13 BMW recalls in this area
Other BMW R 18 recalls
- Sep 27, 2024BMW R18 Reverse Gear Control Unit May Overheatcritical
Official notice
- Component
- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SEALS/GASKETS
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles equipped with the optional reverse gear. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
- Safety risk
- An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Motorcycles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V716. Motorcycles previously repaired under the prior recall will need the new repair completed.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.