VehicleVerdict

2008 BMW F 650 GS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2008 BMW F 650 GS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other F 650 GS years?

F 650 GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted16 complaints2001: 16 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 5 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 13 complaints2010: 5 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 2 complaints
F 650 GS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F 650 GS years to avoid →

Does the 2008 BMW F 650 GS have recalls?

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

17V481000OtherJuly 28, 2017 · 47,775 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2017 F800R and F800GT motorcycles, 2014-2018 R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles, 2016-2017 S1000XR motorcycles and 2015-2017 R1200R and R1200RS, 2008-2012 F650GS, 2008-2018 F800GS, and 2014-2017 F800GS Adventure motorcycles. When equipped with the optional aluminum luggage cases, the rear reflex reflectors may be partially blocked. The aluminum case mounts for the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure may also partially block the reflectors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the rear reflex reflectors are obscured from view, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install reflectors on the cases or for the case mounts, an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

10V496000BrakesOctober 18, 2010 · 1,780 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2008 THROUGH 2010 F 650 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 11, 2008, THROUGH DECEMBER 8, 2009. A WASHER MAY INTERFERE WITH THE FRONT DISC BRAKE FASTENERS' TORQUE. AS A RESULT, OVER TIME, A FASTENER OR MUTIPLE FASTENERS COULD BECOME LOOSE, ALLOWING THE BRAKE DISC TO BECOME LOOSE.

Consequence

A LOOSE BRAKE DISC MAY INTERFERE WITH PROPER BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

10V274000TransmissionJune 16, 2010 · 1,916 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 F650 GS AND F 800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 THROUGH MARCH 30, 2009. THE DRIVE CHAINS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, OVER TIME THE DRIVE CHAIN COULD BREAK.

Consequence

IF THE BROKEN CHAIN BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEEL AND THE FRAME, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK UP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAIN AND SPROCKETS ON THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

09V499000EngineDecember 30, 2009 · 4,498 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 F650 GS AND F800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2008 AND DECEMBER 2009. DURING ENGINE OPERATION, A VACUUM IS CREATED IN ORDER TO DRAW FRESH AIR INTO THE CANISTER. THIS AIR THEN MIXES WITH THE FUEL VAPORS CAPTURED BY THE CANISTER, AND IS SUBSEQUENTLY COMBUSTED. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE VENTILATION HOSE, WATER NEAR THE END OF THE HOSE COULD BE DRAWN INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER.

Consequence

WATER COULD FLOW INTO THE CANISTER CAUSING A STALLING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD AN ADDITIONAL HOSE AND ROUTE IT SUCH THAT THE PRESENT DEFECT IS PREVENTED. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

08V692000EngineDecember 29, 2008 · 509 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING 509 MY 2008 F650 GS AND F800 GS MOTORCYCLES. THE TIGHTENING OF THE CHAIN SPROCKET FASTENERS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN VARIOUS LEVELS OF TORQUE BEING APPLIED.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FASTENERS TO WORK LOOSE FROM THE SPROCKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL LOOSEN AND INSPECT THE CHAIN SPROCKET FASTENERS. THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WILL BE REPLACED. IN ALL CASES, THE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

08V693000BrakesDecember 29, 2008 · 373 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING 373 MY 2008 F650 GS MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO PRODUCTION AND ASSEMBLY TOLERANCES, THE LENGTH OF ONE OR MORE OF THE FRONT BRAKE DISC FASTENERS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT. IF THE LENGTH OF A FASTENER WAS INSUFFICIENT, THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FASTENER NOT BEING TIGHTENED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENED, THE FASTENER COULD WORK LOOSE FROM ITS THREADS. IN SOME CASES INVOLVING MULTIPLE FASTENERS, THE BRAKE DISC COULD LOOSEN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE BRAKE DISC FASTENERS AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW LONGER FASTENERS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

2008 BMW F 650 GS — common questions

Is the 2008 BMW F 650 GS reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2008 BMW F 650 GS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 BMW F 650 GS. 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.