Transport Canada Recalls BMW R 18 Again Over Reverse-Control Fire Risk
Transport Canada has updated recall 2026494 for 2021 through 2024 BMW R 18 motorcycles after determining that some machines repaired under an earlier recall may still have an improperly sealed reverser control unit.
The federal recall says water can enter the control unit if it was not sealed correctly. Moisture can then cause corrosion and potentially create an electrical short circuit.
Transport Canada identifies fire as the safety risk.
The issue is also capable of disabling the motorcycle’s reverse function, but the more serious concern is the possibility of a short circuit in the control unit.
This is a repeat-repair situation rather than a completely unrelated new defect. Transport Canada says some motorcycles that received work under recall 2024-561 may not have been repaired effectively and require another visit to a BMW Motorrad dealer.
Affected model years are 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 BMW R 18 motorcycles.
BMW Motorrad will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take the motorcycle to a dealership. The corrective action is replacement of the reverser control unit.
For Canadian owners, that means completion of the earlier recall should not automatically be treated as proof that the current campaign is closed.
The motorcycle’s identification number and recall status need to be checked through BMW or an authorized dealer.
The R 18’s optional reverse assist is especially useful on a large cruiser because the motorcycle’s size and weight can make backing out of parking spaces difficult. That convenience also means the reverser hardware is an integrated part of ownership rather than an obscure accessory.
Used-bike buyers should include open-recall status in a pre-purchase check, particularly when service records show that the motorcycle was previously repaired under the earlier campaign.
A completed work order from the old recall and a cleared status for the current recall are two different things.
Dealers need to identify the affected population accurately, explain why a second repair may be necessary and document replacement of the control unit once the work is complete.
The recall does not say that every R 18 will experience water intrusion or a fire. It identifies a condition that can develop on certain motorcycles and requires a preventative repair before the risk becomes an incident.
Transport Canada originally published the campaign on October 7 and lists the current page as updated October 19.
For Canadian R 18 owners, the practical result is simple: check the current recall status even if the motorcycle was previously repaired, and have the reverser control unit replaced if BMW identifies the bike as affected by recall 2026494.
