Recall 20V146 covers 4,026 2019-2020 BMW motorcycles with brake lights that flash during emergency braking. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 4,026 2019-2020 motorcycles, such as S1000 R, F 900 R, and R 1250 Gs models, because the brake light can flash instead of staying steady during emergency braking. A flashing brake light can confuse drivers behind the motorcycle and increase crash risk; BMW dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake light on affected 2019-2020 BMW motorcycles is the rear stop lamp that tells traffic behind you when you are braking. In normal operation, that lamp stays on steadily while the brakes are applied, so following drivers get a clear signal that the motorcycle is slowing or stopping.
In recall 20V146, the issue is programming, not a broken bulb or lens. About 137 motorcycles were produced with an emergency stop signal function that makes the brake light flash during emergency braking. That flashing setup is allowed in other markets, but U.S. rules for these motorcycles require the brake lamp to remain steady. The problem is in the emergency stop signal function programming, with no separate part number listed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lamp works as a brake light, but during emergency braking it displays the wrong signal pattern for the U.S. requirement.
Who's affected?
Every listed BMW model is tied to the same brake light component, with one 2019 S1000 R and the rest from the 2020 model year.
| 2020 BMW S1000 R | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2019 BMW S1000 R | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW F 850 Gs Adventure | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW F 900 R | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R Nine T Scrambler | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW F 850 Gs | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW F 750 Gs | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R 1250 R | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R Nine T | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW F 900 Xr | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R 1250 RS | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW S1000 Rr | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R 1250 Gs Adventure | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R 1250 Gs | Brake lights |
| 2020 BMW R Nine T Pure | Brake lights |
| Units affected | 4,026 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and BMW model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A brake light that flashes during emergency braking can confuse drivers behind the motorcycle and increase crash risk. Leave extra following space, signal early, and schedule the dealer repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 BMW motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free emergency-stop-signal software update that keeps the brake light steady during emergency braking.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. Reference recall number 20V146 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the software update is complete. Leave extra following distance when braking hard.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW motorcycle technician reprograms the emergency stop signal function that controls brake light behavior during emergency braking. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Any repair already paid before the recall notice is handled through the BMW Motorcycle New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 12, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 19, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| March 19, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 4, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 4, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V146?
Recall 20V146 covers 4,026 BMW motorcycles with an emergency-braking brake-light issue. The brake light can flash instead of staying steady during emergency braking, which can confuse drivers behind the motorcycle and increase crash risk. BMW dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 BMW motorcycle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 20V146. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the emergency stop signal reprogramming. Reference recall number 20V146 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. BMW dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the defect at no cost, and the repair applies through a franchised BMW dealer regardless of where the motorcycle was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is confusion for drivers behind the motorcycle during emergency braking. The brake light can flash instead of remaining steady, which can make the stop signal harder to interpret and increase crash risk. The fix is a dealer reprogramming of the emergency stop signal function.
When did BMW start this recall repair?
BMW began the recall repair on May 11, 2020. If your VIN is included and the repair is still open, call a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 to arrange the free reprogramming.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V146000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V146 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V146000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →