Recall 17V481 covers 47,775 2008-2018 BMW motorcycles with rear reflectors blocked by aluminum luggage cases. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 47,775 2008-2018 motorcycles, including F800 Gs, F650 Gs, and R1200 Gs models, because optional aluminum luggage cases or case mounts can partially block the rear reflex reflectors. Obscured reflectors make the motorcycle harder to see from behind and increase crash risk; BMW dealers will correct the reflector issue free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear side reflex reflectors on 2008-2018 BMW motorcycles are passive safety parts. They do not light up on their own. They bounce another vehicle's headlights back toward that driver, which helps mark the motorcycle's rear side position when the bike is viewed from an angle.
On affected motorcycles, optional aluminum luggage cases or the aluminum case mounts can sit in the sight line to those reflectors. Some luggage cases were built without their own reflex reflectors, and some mounts can partly cover the motorcycle's original rear side reflectors. When that happens, the reflectors cannot be seen from the required angle, so the motorcycle does not fully meet the lighting and reflector rule BMW cited in recall 17V481.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not likely to feel a change while riding, because the issue is the reflector's visibility to other drivers, not the way the motorcycle runs, brakes, or steers.
Who's affected?
Spans BMW F, R, and S series motorcycles across 2008-2018, all tied to the equipment component.
| 2015 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2009 BMW F650 Gs | Equipment |
| 2011 BMW F650 Gs | Equipment |
| 2008 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2008 BMW F650 Gs | Equipment |
| 2014 BMW F800 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW F800 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2009 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2010 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2012 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2013 BMW F800 R | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2012 BMW F650 Gs | Equipment |
| 2014 BMW R 1200 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW F800 GT | Equipment |
| 2014 BMW F800 GT | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW F800 R | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW S1000 Xr | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW R1200 Gs | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW R1200 Gs | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW F800 R | Equipment |
| 2014 BMW F800 R | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW R1200 RS | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW R1200 RS | Equipment |
| 2014 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2011 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2018 BMW R1200 Gs | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW F800 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW F800 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2013 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW R1200 Gs Adventure | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW F800 GT | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW F800 GT | Equipment |
| 2013 BMW F800 GT | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW F800 R | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW R1200 R | Equipment |
| 2016 BMW R1200 R | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW R1200 R | Equipment |
| 2010 BMW F650 Gs | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW R1200 RS | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW S1000 Xr | Equipment |
| 2014 BMW R1200 Gs | Equipment |
| 2015 BMW R1200 Gs | Equipment |
| 2017 BMW F800 Gs | Equipment |
| Units affected | 47,775 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
Rear reflex reflectors help following drivers see the motorcycle from behind. If cases or case mounts obscure those reflectors, following traffic sees less of the motorcycle, which increases the risk of a crash. Ride cautiously and schedule the reflector installation soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2018 BMW F800 Gs, F650 Gs, F800 Gs Adventure, F800 R, R1200 Gs Adventure, R 1200 Gs Adventure, F800 GT, S1000 Xr, R1200 Gs, R1200 RS, or R1200 R motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free rear-reflector repair.
- Schedule the rear-reflector installation that keeps the optional aluminum luggage cases or case mounts from blocking the rear reflex reflectors.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V481 when you call.
- Ride with extra space and avoid low-visibility trips until the reflector repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician installs rear reflex reflectors on the optional aluminum luggage cases. For case mounts that block the rear reflectors, the technician installs an additional bracket with rear reflex reflectors. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. BMW has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair before the recall notice. Bring receipts or repair documentation to the service desk and ask how to submit the claim under BMW's standard reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 28, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 8, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 8, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 18, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 18, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V481?
Recall 17V481 covers 47,775 2008-2018 BMW motorcycles with rear reflex reflectors that are blocked by optional aluminum luggage cases or case mounts. Reduced rear reflector visibility increases crash risk. BMW dealers will add reflectors or brackets with rear reflectors for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2018 BMW motorcycle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 17V481. If it is, contact a franchised BMW motorcycle dealer to schedule the reflector or bracket repair. Reference recall number 17V481 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires BMW to repair this defect at no cost. A franchised BMW motorcycle dealer will install reflectors on the aluminum luggage cases or add a bracket with rear reflex reflectors for free.
Is it safe to ride with this BMW reflector recall open?
This recall does not carry a do-not-drive order, but the blocked rear reflectors reduce rear visibility and increase crash risk. Confirm whether your VIN is included, then schedule the free dealer repair so the rear reflectors meet the required visibility standard.
When did BMW start notifying owners about recall 17V481?
BMW began the recall on October 16, 2017. If you own the motorcycle now and never received a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised BMW motorcycle dealer. BMW customer service is also listed at 1-800-525-7417 for this campaign.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V481000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V481 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V481000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →