Recall 25V672 affects 3 2026 BMW R 1300 RT motorcycles for a cardan shaft defect. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 3 2026 R 1300 RT motorcycles because the cardan shaft was not sufficiently hardened. The universal joint can slip inside the shaft, causing a loss of drive power while riding and increasing crash risk; BMW dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The cardan shaft on the 2026 BMW R 1300 RT is the motorcycle's driveshaft. It carries engine torque from the gearbox toward the rear wheel. The universal joint at the shaft lets the driveline work at changing angles as the rear suspension moves.
On affected motorcycles, a limited number of universal joint yokes were not hardened enough during manufacturing. Hardening is the heat-treatment step that gives the metal surface enough strength to hold its shape under load. If the yoke is too soft, the universal joint can slip inside the shaft instead of staying locked in place. When that happens, power delivery to the rear wheel stops and the rider loses drive power.
BMW did not identify an owner-visible warning sign before failure. There is no warning sign before failure, so a motorcycle that starts and rides normally still needs the recall check if its VIN is included.
Who's affected?
Both listed driveline components point to the same cardan shaft.
| 2026 BMW R 1300 RT | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2026 BMW R 1300 RT | driveline |
| Units affected | 3 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of drive power while riding increases the risk of a crash because the motorcycle loses propulsion while moving. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair and ride with caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 BMW R 1300 RT is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free cardan-shaft replacement that fixes the universal-joint slip and loss-of-drive-power risk.
- Bring any BMW recall paperwork to the appointment. If you do not have paperwork, reference recall number 25V672 when you call.
- Ask BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 for help if the dealer cannot confirm the recall.
- Limit riding until the repair is complete, and stop riding if the motorcycle loses drive power.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the cardan shaft covered by recall 25V672. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. BMW's filing says the owner was already contacted and the motorcycle was remedied, so the dealer process is a cardan shaft replacement. Out-of-pocket repairs for this condition are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 8, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 8, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| October 8, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 21, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 21, 2025 | Final remedy owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V672?
Recall 25V672 covers 3 2026 BMW R 1300 RT motorcycles with a cardan shaft hardening defect. The universal joint can slip within the shaft and cause loss of drive power while riding, increasing crash risk. BMW dealers replace the cardan shaft for free.
What should I do if my 2026 BMW R 1300 RT is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 25V672. If it is, contact a franchised BMW motorcycle dealer to confirm the cardan shaft replacement is complete. Reference recall number 25V672 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW's remedy is a free cardan shaft replacement at a franchised BMW motorcycle dealer.
Is it safe to ride a 2026 BMW R 1300 RT with this recall?
The listed safety risk is loss of drive power while riding, which increases crash risk. If your VIN is included and the cardan shaft has not been replaced, ask the BMW dealer how to handle the motorcycle before riding it for service.
Did BMW mail owner letters for recall 25V672?
No. BMW did not mail owner letters because it called the one owner on October 30, 2025, and remedied the motorcycle on November 21, 2025. A VIN check still confirms whether your specific R 1300 RT is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V672000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V672 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V672000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →