Component
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The cardan shaft in your motorcycle connects your wheels to your engine. It's a crucial part that helps transfer power to your wheels. In some 2026 R 1300 RT models, this shaft might not be strong enough, which could cause problems.
Risk if Unfixed
If the cardan shaft fails, your motorcycle could lose power while you're riding. This increases the risk of a crash, which could be serious.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the cardan shaft with a stronger one, at no cost to you. The repair has already been done for the one owner who was contacted, but if you're not that owner, you might want to reach out to BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 to confirm the status of your vehicle.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 R 1300 RT motorcycles. The cardan shaft may not have been sufficiently hardened, causing the universal joint to slip within the shaft and result in a loss of drive power.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A loss of drive power while riding increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
Dealers will replace the cardan shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters will not be mailed because BMW called the one owner on October 30, 2025 and remedied the motorcycle on 11/21/25. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details →
Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →