BMW R 18, model years 2021 to 2024. Filed by BMW of North America, LLC and reported to NHTSA on 7 October 2026. 4,630 vehicles potentially affected.
What the notice says BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles equipped with the optional reverse gear. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
Is your vehicle included? Check with your VIN at NHTSA, or ask a dealer. This page is an independent copy of the notice, kept so you can see what changed after it was published. It is not the authority, and the authority’s own text is the one to act on.
What owners ask about this recall
- Which vehicles does recall 26V658 cover?
- BMW R 18, model years 2021-2024.
- What is wrong with them?
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles equipped with the optional reverse gear. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
- What can happen if it is not put right?
- An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
- Is there a fix yet?
- Yes, and it is free. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Motorcycles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V716. Motorcycles previously repaired under the prior recall will need the new repair completed.
- What should I do now?
- Check your own vehicle by its VIN with NHTSA, which is the record to act on.
Answered from the register this site holds. NHTSA is the record to act on.
affected
in the notice
caught
| Campaign | 26V658 |
|---|---|
| Filed by | BMW of North America, LLC |
| System at fault | Power Train |
| Reported to NHTSA | 7 October 2026 |
| Model years | 2021-2024 |
| Vehicles named | BMW R 18 |
What the notice says today
The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles equipped with the optional reverse gear. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
The consequence
An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Motorcycles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V716. Motorcycles previously repaired under the prior recall will need the new repair completed.
What it said before
Nothing has changed while we have been watching. We first read this campaign on 16 October 2026 and last read it on 16 October 2026.
The copy we hold today hashes to fe3169e09f44c131705f9f0877427839…, so if it is ever edited the change is provable rather than a matter of memory.
Last checked . No change has been recorded in the wording.
Official record: NHTSA campaign 26V658. Every BMW campaign we hold: BMW recalls.
Owners of these cars
No register publishes what happens after the letter. Owners do: tell us, in two taps.
Anonymous: no account, no cookie, nothing you type is stored beyond these choices. Figures appear once 3 owners have answered, and are published with the record under CC BY 4.0.