VehicleVerdict

2003 BMW F 650 CS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 2003 BMW F 650 CS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other F 650 CS years?

F 650 CS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted12 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 1 complaints
F 650 CS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F 650 CS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 BMW F 650 CS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System433%
Fuel System325%
Tires & Wheels217%
Brakes18%
Body & Structure18%
Suspension18%

Does the 2003 BMW F 650 CS have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V236000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2004 · 1,560 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP FLANGE COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF ACID OR CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ACIDIC ELEMENTS, SUCH AS BATTERY ACID OR CERTAIN CLEANING PRODUCTS.

Consequence

THE FLANGE COULD BECOME BRITTLE, CRACK, AND ALLOW FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ACID-RESISTANT CAP OVER THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

02V190000Tires & WheelsJuly 23, 2002 · 576 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE WHEEL COULD DEVELOP A CRACK. OVER TIME, THE CRACK COULD WORSEN TO THE POINT THAT THE WHEEL FAILED AND THE DRIVE BELT DERAILED.

Consequence

THIS WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVE CAPABILITY AT THE REAR WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR DRIVE BELT WHEEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

02V191000Tires & WheelsJuly 23, 2002 · 577 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEX NUT THAT SECURES THE WHEEL TO THE GEARBOX OUTPUT SHAFT WAS TIGHTENED INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BELT WHEEL WOULD ITSELF LOOSEN ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL SPLINES OF THE WHEEL AND TO THE EXTERNAL SPLINES OF THE OUTPUT SHAFT AS THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE SPLINES COULD BE DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OUTPUT SHAFT WOULD NOT LONGER OPERATE THE DRIVE BELT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DRIVE CAPABILITY AT THE REAR WHEEL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HEX NUT TORQUE AND ADJUST THE TIGHTNESS IF NECESSARY, AND SECURE THE NUT WITH LOCTITE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

02V140000BrakesMay 20, 2002 · 522 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SCREWS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER TO THE REAR SWING ARM WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. THE SCREWS COULD LOOSEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND EVENTUALLY FALL-OUT, ALLOWING THE REAR CALIPER TO SEPARATE FROM ITS MOUNT.

Consequence

IF THE CALIPER BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEEL AND THE SWING ARM, IT COULD DISCONNECT FROM THE BRAKE LINE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TORQUE OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER ATTACHMENT SCREWS AND RETIGHTEN THEM TO THE PROPER VALUE IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 2003 BMW 650 CS HAS CONTINUALLY BROKEN DOWN--STALLED (OFTEN TIMES WHILE THE BIKE IS ACTUALLY IN MOTION). I HAVE BROUGHT THE BIKE TO HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD OVER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND EACH TIME, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE LOCUS OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2003

“A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP/FILTER ASSEMBLY "CAP" ON TOP OF THE TANK WHICH ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TANK AND POOL UNDER THE SEAT CREATING A FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM REFERRED TO IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V236000 REGARDING THE CS MODEL. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 27, 2006

“I WAS ON A MOTORCYCLE TRIP TO BANFF, AB. ABOUT 50K NORTH OF CROWSNEST PASS, AB ON GRAVEL HIGHWAY 40 I HAD A BIT OF A WOBBLE THAT MOVED ME INTO THE SOFT GRAVEL SHOULDER. IT WAS SAFER TO RIDE INTO THE DITCH SO THAT IS WHAT I DID. JUST AFTER COMING UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DITCH THE FRONT FORK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 2, 2008 · crash

“I LOVE MY BMW F650CSA WHEN IT IS WORKING. REPEAT THE WORD : WHEN! THE 2003 MODEL HAS HAD A SERIOUS BRAKE FLUID LEAK WHICH CAUSED A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL WHILE RIDING. IT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE WIRING HARNESS THAT IT CORRODED. A SECOND WIRING HARNESS IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 27, 2004

“MY BMW F650CS HAS HAD SEVERAL INTEGRAL PIECES OF THE BIKE SHAKE LOOSE OR EVEN FALL COMPLETELY OFF IN THE 18 MONTHS I HAVE HAD IT. THE SIXTH AND FINAL INCIDENT WAS ON 7 OCTOBER 2003 WHEN ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DURING REGULAR RIDING. THIS LEFT SEVERAL PARTS OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 7, 2003

2003 BMW F 650 CS — common questions

Is the 2003 BMW F 650 CS reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 F 650 CS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (4 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 2003 BMW F 650 CS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 BMW F 650 CS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.