Recall 17V438 affects 14,626 2014-2017 BMW R1200 Gs and R1200 Gs Adventure motorcycles for fork-tube separation. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 14,626 2014-2017 R1200 Gs, R1200 Gs Adventure, and R 1200 Gs Adventure motorcycles because the fixed fork tube can separate from the seal plug that secures it to the upper triple clamp. If the tube detaches, handling and stability are affected, increasing crash risk; the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fixed fork tube on 2014-2017 BMW R1200 Gs, R1200 Gs Adventure, and R 1200 Gs Adventure motorcycles is part of the front suspension. It connects through a pressed-in seal plug near the upper triple clamp, the bracket that holds the front fork in line with the steering bar. That connection helps the front wheel track straight as the rider steers and the suspension moves.
On affected motorcycles, a sharp moment of extreme stress can damage the fixed fork tube connection without the rider seeing it at the time. With more riding under extreme stress, a gap can develop at the front fork plug. The pressed-in seal plug can then loosen, which lets the fixed fork tube separate from the plug that secures it.
Owners are expected to notice a rattling noise or an oil leak before the connection fails. If you hear that noise or see oil around the front fork, treat it as the warning sign for this defect.
Who's affected?
Covers R1200 Gs, R1200 Gs Adventure, and R 1200 Gs Adventure motorcycles from 2014-2017, all tied to the front suspension.
| 2017 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2014 BMW R 1200 Gs Adventure | front suspension |
| 2017 BMW R1200 Gs | front suspension |
| 2016 BMW R1200 Gs | front suspension |
| 2016 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure | front suspension |
| 2015 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure | front suspension |
| 2014 BMW R1200 Gs | front suspension |
| 2015 BMW R1200 Gs | front suspension |
| Units affected | 14,626 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached fork tube affects handling and stability and increases crash risk. Listen for rattling and look for fork oil, because those are the warning signs BMW identified. Schedule the repair promptly and ride cautiously until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure, R 1200 Gs Adventure, or R1200 Gs is included in this recall.
- Review the BMW owner notice mailed August 31, 2017, or contact BMW customer service if you never received it.
- Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and reference recall number 17V438 when you ask about repair timing for your motorcycle.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer once the repair is open for your VIN; the free repair adds a fixed fork tube bush or replaces a damaged fork with a modified part.
- Ride carefully until BMW gives repair instructions, since a detached fork tube affects handling and stability.
What happens at the repair
Once the final dealer repair is available, a BMW technician will add an additional fixed fork tube bush. If the fork is already sufficiently damaged, the technician will replace it with a modified new part. The final dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under the recall. BMW has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible owner-paid repairs tied to this condition. If you already paid for related fork repairs, contact BMW customer service and keep your repair paperwork for the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 10, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 10, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| August 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 1, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V438?
Recall 17V438 covers 14,626 2014-2017 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure, R 1200 Gs Adventure, and R1200 Gs motorcycles with a front suspension defect. The fixed fork tube can separate from the seal plug that secures it to the upper triple clamp, affecting handling and stability.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure, R 1200 Gs Adventure, or R1200 Gs is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 17V438. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall 17V438. BMW began owner notification on August 31, 2017, and the dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. BMW dealers will add an additional fixed fork tube bush, and a sufficiently damaged fork will be replaced with a modified new part free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V438?
The safety risk is loss of stable front suspension control. If the fork tube detaches from the sealing plug, motorcycle handling and stability are affected, increasing crash risk. Ask a BMW dealer about the free repair before riding a VIN-confirmed affected motorcycle.
What if I bought the BMW motorcycle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific BMW is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with recall 17V438.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V438000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V438 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V438000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →