BMW Recalls Certain 2026 R 1300 RTs
The 2026 BMW R 1300 RT is brand new to market and represents a major update over last year’s model, so it’s unfortunate to see a recall announced so soon after launch. The good news, however, is that it appears only three – yes, just three – units are affected.
Cardan Shaft Defect
According to filings with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA Campaign No. 25V672), the cardan shaft – the component that transfers power from the transmission to the rear wheel – may not have been sufficiently hardened during manufacturing, allowing the universal joint to slip within the shaft. If that occurs, the motorcycle could lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected motorcycles were built between April 23 and May 7, 2025, during early production of the new R 1300 RT. BMW’s investigation traced the problem to a small batch of universal-joint yokes that were improperly heat-treated by a supplier. No accidents or injuries have been reported, and the issue surfaced after a single non-U.S. field case on a 2025 R 1300 RT led to a broader engineering review at BMW Motorrad’s Berlin plant.
Owner Notification and Follow-up
Dealers have been instructed to replace the entire cardan shaft assembly free of charge. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning November 21, 2025. Owners may contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for more information.
What is a Cardan Shaft?
On BMW’s R-series motorcycles, the cardan shaft – often referred to simply as the driveshaft – is housed inside the swingarm and connects the gearbox output to the rear-wheel final drive. It performs the same function as a chain or belt on other motorcycles, transmitting torque from the engine to the wheel through universal joints that accommodate suspension movement while maintaining smooth power delivery.
Related Recall Background
While BMW has issued driveshaft-related service actions on previous-generation boxer models, this recall is unrelated and limited to a one-time manufacturing defect affecting only three early-production R 1300 RTs.
Primary Source
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filing, Campaign No. 25V672, submitted by BMW of North America on October 8, 2025, with supplemental details from NHTSA’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report.
by Staff Writers
The American Sport Touring writing team represents a diverse group of passionate sport touring motorcycle riders and industry experts dedicated to delivering insightful, well-researched content. Our contributors, both within the organization and guest writers, bring deep firsthand experience with sport touring motorcycles, gear and accessories, and destination discovery and route planning. No matter the assignment, each upholds the American Sport Touring commitment to high-quality, informative, and trustworthy content.
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