Recall 13V549 covers 2007-2009 BMW F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles for wheel bearing wear. Repair is free at a franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 2,608 2007-2009 F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles because incorrect tolerances can let the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle wear. That wear can affect handling and control, increasing crash risk, and the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear wheel drive bearing on 2007-2009 BMW F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles supports the rear wheel where it turns around the rear axle. The axle holds the wheel in position, while the bearing lets the wheel spin smoothly under load. That fit has to be tight and accurate, because the rear wheel carries drive force, braking force, and cornering load.
On these motorcycles, BMW says incorrect tolerances let the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle wear. In plain terms, the parts do not fit each other as precisely as they should. Extra wear at that connection can let the rear wheel assembly loosen or move in ways it was not designed to handle.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the motorcycle feels unstable, the rear wheel feels loose, or you hear new noise from the rear wheel area, stop riding and have the bike inspected by a BMW dealer.
Who's affected?
Spans the F 800 S and F 800 ST across the 2007-2009 model years, both tied to wheel hardware.
| 2009 BMW F 800 S | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| 2007 BMW F 800 S | wheel hardware |
| 2009 BMW F 800 ST | wheel hardware |
| 2008 BMW F 800 ST | wheel hardware |
| 2007 BMW F 800 ST | wheel hardware |
| 2008 BMW F 800 S | wheel hardware |
| Units affected | 2,608 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Bearing and rear axle wear can affect handling and control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash. Schedule the dealer inspection soon, and stop riding if the motorcycle feels unstable or harder to control. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2009 BMW F 800 S or F 800 ST is included in this recall.
- Review BMW's owner letter, mailed January 10, 2014, for instructions before you schedule service.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the rear wheel bearing inspection that checks for bearing and axle wear.
- Ask the dealer to replace the wheel bearing and rear axle at no charge if the inspection shows wear.
- Reference recall number 13V549 when you call, or call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with questions.
- Ride cautiously until the inspection and repair are complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid sudden handling inputs.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the rear wheel drive bearing for wear tied to the incorrect bearing and axle tolerances. When the inspection shows wear, the technician replaces the wheel bearing and rear axle. BMW's remedy says the inspection and any replacement are performed at no charge. Before riding in for service, confirm the repair status with a BMW dealer. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| November 1, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 10, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V549?
Recall 13V549 covers 2,608 2007-2009 BMW F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles with rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle wear from incorrect tolerances. That wear can affect handling and control, increasing crash risk. BMW dealers will inspect the bearing and replace the bearing and rear axle if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2009 BMW F 800 S or F 800 ST is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 13V549. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the wheel bearing inspection. Reference recall number 13V549 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will inspect the wheel bearing and replace the bearing and rear axle if necessary at no charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced handling and control from rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle wear. On a motorcycle, that can make the bike harder to control and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection before normal riding.
What if I bought my BMW F 800 S or F 800 ST used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the motorcycle, not the first owner. If you never received a BMW notice, check your VIN, then call a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 13V549.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V549000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V549 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V549000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →