BMW R 18 reverse gear fire risk recall: 4,630 potentially affected

Is your car affected?

What to do

• Watch for an owner notification letter. Letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 27, 2026.
• Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge.
• If your R 18 was repaired under 24V-716, NHTSA says it will need the new repair completed.
• You can call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
• NHTSA's record for the earlier recall also lists the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) and nhtsa.gov.
• The NHTSA record does not carry a "park it" or "park outside" advisory for this recall.

What happened

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles equipped with the optional reverse gear, according to a recall report the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received on Oct. 7, 2026. NHTSA lists 4,630 motorcycles as potentially affected.

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 recall record says. An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.

NHTSA files the problem under power train, manual transmission seals and gaskets.

NHTSA lists the recall as campaign 26V-658 (26V658000).

Motorcycles in this recall were previously recalled under 24V-716, NHTSA says. That earlier recall covered certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles. NHTSA received its report on Sept. 26, 2024, and its record lists 5,048 motorcycles as potentially affected.

The 24V-716 record says the seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating. It also says an overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.

Under 24V-716, the record says, as an interim remedy the reverse gear control unit will be disconnected from the electrical system of the motorcycle, free of charge. It also says dealers will install an electrical relay between the battery and the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner letters for that recall were mailed April 7, 2025.

Is my motorcycle affected?

The recall covers certain 2021-2024 R 18 motorcycles equipped with the optional reverse gear.

Enter your motorcycle's VIN in our free recall check at /vin-check/ or on NHTSA's site to look for this recall. You can also call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The repair is free. The NHTSA record says dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge.

NHTSA says motorcycles previously repaired under the prior recall, 24V-716, will need the new repair completed.

NHTSA's recall list for the 2022 R 18 shows both campaigns, 24V-716 and 26V-658.

If you are shopping for a used 2021-2024 R 18, check its VIN for recalls before you buy.