RoadVitals

2021 BMW R 18 Classic Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest May 5, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 BMW R 18 Classic, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Visibility266.7%
  • Electrical133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2021 BMW R 18 Classic. The contact stated that while riding 60 MPH, the windshield failed to effectively protect him from the wind. The contact stated that due to the failure, the contact’s head was not protected from the wind gust while riding. The contact had reached out to the dealer and was informed that there was no replacement part for the windshield. The windshield was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 600.

NHTSA ID 11449957 · filed Feb 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 BMW R18 Classic. The contact stated while riding at 50 MPH, the contact noticed that the windshield on the motorcycle was buffering, causing a wind vibration that caused the contact head to shake violently and blurred the contact’s vision making it difficult for the contact to see while riding. The contact slowed down and veered to the side of the road took off his helmet and continued to ride to his residence at a slower speed. The motorcycle was taken to a local dealer who inspected the motorcycle but stated that the failure of the motorcycle was a design flaw. The dealer was unable to repair the motorcycle. The contact’s concern was that the disruptive visibility coming from the windshield on the motorcycle while riding with a helmet and at accelerated speed could cause an accident. The contact stated that the windshield needed to be replaced or removed from the motorcycle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.

NHTSA ID 11449895 · filed Feb 2, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I received notice (hereinafter the “Notice”) from BMW of North America, LLC. (hereinafter “BMW”) concerning the “final remedy” for the referenced “Important Safety Recall concerning my two BMW R18 Classic motorcycles, VIN numbers [XXX] and [XXX] (hereinafter the “Motorcycles”). Both of the Motorcycles were purchased new by me from BMW Motorcycles of North Dallas (hereinafter the “Dealership”.) " # 24V-716 After previously having received notice from BMW concerning this “Important Safety Recall” I had taken the Motorcycles to the Dealership and had the reverse gear deactivated in order to avoid the potential entry of moisture into the reverse gear control unit which, according to BMW’s safety recall letter, could lead to “internal corrosion and a loss of the reverse function” as well as “overheating and increase the risk of a fire”, all very serious potential issues. However, the Dealership refused to undertake the repair unless I agreed in advance to fund a portion of the repair cost, which is in direct contravention of the recall notice which required that the repairs would be undertaken at no cost to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11658915 · filed May 5, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .