Recall 14V320 affects 950 2014 BMW R 1200 RT motorcycles for rear shock absorber failure. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
A broken piston rod causes loss of stability and increases crash risk. Do not drive or ride the motorcycle, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about transport before moving it. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
BMW is recalling 950 2014 R 1200 RT motorcycles because the Dynamic ESA rear shock absorber piston rod can break without warning and cause loss of stability, increasing crash risk. Do not drive the motorcycle; the dealer repair will be free once BMW makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment rear shock on the 2014 BMW R 1200 RT is part of the motorcycle's rear suspension. The shock absorber controls how the rear wheel moves over bumps and helps keep the motorcycle settled under braking, acceleration, and cornering. Its internal piston rod is the metal shaft that moves through the shock as the suspension compresses and rebounds.
On affected motorcycles, that piston rod can break inside the rear shock absorber. Once the rod breaks, the shock can no longer control rear suspension movement as designed. The rear of the motorcycle can become unstable, and the rider can lose stability while riding.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not count on a noise, warning light, or change in ride feel to appear before the piston rod breaks.
Who's affected?
| 2014 BMW R 1200 RT | suspension component |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 950 |
Not every 2014 BMW R 1200 RT motorcycle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A broken piston rod causes loss of stability and increases crash risk. Do not drive or ride the motorcycle, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about transport before moving it. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 BMW R 1200 RT is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the motorcycle until the Dynamic ESA rear shock absorber repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the motorcycle has to be moved to the dealer; do not ride it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free Dynamic ESA rear shock absorber replacement that fixes the rear shock absorber piston rod failure.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V320 when you call.
What happens at the repair
BMW's remedy is to replace the Dynamic ESA rear shock absorber. At the dealer, a BMW technician removes the affected rear shock absorber and installs the replacement part. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. BMW's source remedy also tells owners not to ride the motorcycle until the shock absorber has been remedied, because the piston rod can break without warning and affect stability.
Timeline
| June 12, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 11, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V320?
Recall 14V320 covers 950 2014 BMW R 1200 RT motorcycles with Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment rear shock absorbers. The piston rod inside the rear shock absorber can break without warning, causing loss of stability and increasing crash risk. Do not drive or ride it until the dealer replaces the shock absorber for free.
What should I do if my 2014 BMW R 1200 RT is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 14V320. If it is, do not drive or ride it. Contact a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 14V320. The dealer will replace the Dynamic ESA shock absorber for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW will replace the Dynamic ESA shock absorber free of charge at a franchised BMW dealer. You can also call BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 for recall support.
What does the do not drive warning mean for this BMW recall?
Do not drive or ride the motorcycle until the recall repair is complete. BMW advised owners not to ride affected R 1200 RT motorcycles because the rear shock absorber piston rod can break without warning and cause loss of stability.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V320000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V320 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V320000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 →