Recall 17V488 affects 911 2014-2017 BMW R1200 RT Police motorcycles for brake lights that do not illuminate. Free software update at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 911 2014-2017 R1200 RT Police motorcycles because the brake lights can fail to illuminate when the brakes are applied in a special operating mode. When the brake light stays dark, drivers behind the motorcycle do not get a clear stopping signal, increasing crash risk, and BMW dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake light system on 2014-2017 BMW R1200 RT Police motorcycles uses software to tell the rear stop lamp when to illuminate. In normal operation, applying the service brake sends a signal that turns on the stop lamp, so traffic behind the motorcycle can see that it is slowing or stopping. The recall concerns motorcycles used by law enforcement in a special operating mode.
On affected motorcycles, the software installed for that special mode does not command the stop lamp to illuminate when the brake is applied. BMW's review found that earlier software turned the lamp on, while later software and some service-installed configurations left the stop lamp off in that mode. The hardware is not described as broken; the problem is the software command for brake-light operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The rider will not get a dashboard alert from the source record, and a following driver is the person most likely to notice the missing brake light.
Who's affected?
The same police motorcycle appears under both electrical system software and brake-light components, so a component label alone does not confirm inclusion.
| 2017 BMW R1200 RT Police | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2017 BMW R1200 RT Police | Brake lights |
| 2015 BMW R1200 RT Police | electrical system software |
| 2015 BMW R1200 RT Police | Brake lights |
| 2016 BMW R1200 RT Police | electrical system software |
| 2016 BMW R1200 RT Police | Brake lights |
| 2014 BMW R1200 RT Police | electrical system software |
| 2014 BMW R1200 RT Police | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 911 |
| 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?
When the brake light does not illuminate, drivers behind the motorcycle do not get a clear signal that it is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash. Ride cautiously until the software update is completed, leave extra stopping space, and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 BMW R1200 RT Police is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free software update that fixes the brake-light failure in special operating mode.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V488 when you call.
- Use extra caution in traffic until the software update is complete because the brake light can fail to illuminate in special operating mode.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician updates the motorcycle software that controls brake light operation in the special operating mode. The software update is free under recall 17V488, with parts and labor covered by BMW. If you already paid out of pocket for a related brake light software repair before the recall work, BMW's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and proof of payment to the BMW service desk when you ask about reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 3, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 3, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 25, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 12, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V488?
Recall 17V488 covers 911 2014-2017 BMW R1200 RT Police motorcycles. In a special operating mode, the brake lights do not illuminate when the brakes are applied. BMW dealers will update the motorcycle software for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2017 BMW R1200 RT Police is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 17V488. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the software update. Reference recall number 17V488 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires BMW to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will update the motorcycle software free of charge. You can also contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with the recall number.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V488?
The safety risk is that the brake light fails to warn drivers behind the motorcycle when the rider applies the brakes. That loss of brake-light signaling increases crash risk. The dealer repair updates the software that controls the affected lighting behavior.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V488000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V488 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V488000 |
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 →