RoadVitals

2015 BMW R Nine T

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
2
Latest Apr 20, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 14, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 BMW R Nine T, most frequently naming the exterior lighting and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 91 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting150.0%
  • Powertrain (other)150.0%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V502000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Aug 14, 2017
3,368 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 R NINE T motorcycles. The bolts that connect the right-side swingarm pivot pin to the frame may loosen.
The risk: If the right-side pivot pin loosens, the handling and stability of the motorcycle may be affected, increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will remove the pivot pin bolts, clean, and re-install them with the proper torque after applying a thread locking adhesive, free of charge. The recall began October 16, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
15V110000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Feb 24, 2015
1,792 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 R nine T motorcycles manufactured November 27, 2013, through January 26, 2015. The design of the rear turn signals may partially obscure the lights from being seen by the driver of a following vehicle. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: In certain road and traffic conditions, the rear turn signals may be slightly obscured to the driver of a following vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear turn signals with ones that have longer arms, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 20, 2017

THE TAIL LIGHT ON MY MOTORCYCLE IS FAILING ON A RECURRING BASIS. AT MY 6000 MILE SERVICE I POINTED OUT THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE DUST GETTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE LIGHT. UPON EXAMINATION BY THE TECHNICIAN THEY DETERMINED THE REFLECTOR HAD DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING AND WAS CHAFING AGAINST THE OTHER PARTS, CREATING A PLASTIC DUST THAT WAS STICKING TO THE REFLECTOR AND INTERIOR OF THE LENS. A REPLACEMENT WAS PROVIDED AND INSTALLED. AT AROUND 9,900 MILES THE SAME ISSUE HAD REAPPEARED ON THE NEW TAIL LIGHT. BMW SUPPLIED ANOTHER TAIL LIGHT WHICH HAS NOW BEEN INSTALLED. THIS IS THE THIRD TAIL LIGHT INSTALLED. THE PLASTIC DUST DIMINISHES THE LIGHT TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE CLEAR LENS AND THE UNIT IS NOT ABLE TO BE DISASSEMBLED FOR CLEANING. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND ANY VEHICLES FOLLOWING ME. THE PICTURES PROVIDED ARE OF THE ORIGINAL (FIRST) TAIL LIGHT AND THE SECOND ONE PROVIDED AS REPLACEMENT WHEN NEW BEFORE INSTALLATION. ORIGINAL TAIL LIGHT HAS A DATE CODE OF 29.9.14 (SEPT. 29, 2014) SECOND TAIL LIGHT HAS A DATE CODE OF: 12.06.15 (JUNE 6, 2015) PART NUMBER APPEARS TO BE DIFFERENT. 717.01.000.00 (OLD), 717.02.000.00 (NEW). I DO NOT HAVE THIS DATA FOR THE NEWEST (THIRD) LIGHT ASSEMBLY BUT IT IS IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE TO THE SECOND. AS YOU CAN SEE THE DESIGN OF THE SECOND IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT COMPARED TO THE FIRST. THERE ARE RED PLASTIC PIECES ADDED TO THE INTERIOR. THE REST APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME.

NHTSA ID
10979628
Incident
Apr 19, 2016
Mileage
6,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2016

IN THE MORNINGS THE CLUTCH FAILS TO ENGAGE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL INTO 1ST GEAR. THE CLUTCH HAS TO BE "PUMPED" SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AGAIN. AFTER LONG PERIODS OF DRIVING THE SHIFTING OF GEARS IS MORE DIFFICULT SPECIALLY FROM FIFTH TO SIXTH GEAR, SOMETIMES THE SIXTH GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL KICK BACK TO FIFTH GEAR. EITHER AIR BOUND FROM THE FACTORY OR MASTER CYLINDER OR OTHER UNION LEAKING IS CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO NEED TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE. ALSO AT TRAFFIC STOPS AFTER LONG PERIODS OF DRIVING THE IDLING CAN BECOME A LITTLE ROUGH SINCE IT SEEMS AS IF THE CLUTCH IS NOT HOLDING THE CLUTCH IN THE DISENGAGED POSITION.

NHTSA ID
10888880
Incident
Jul 27, 2016
Mileage
1,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MC330224

POWER TRAIN

After close inspection of the manufacturing process, there is a weld seam at the hollow shaft and crown wheel connection in the rear drive that is not to specification in a few rear drives. Depending on riding habit, this can lead to slipping and loss of propulsion over time.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

MC000222

SERVICE BRAKES

BMW Motorrad is aware of a number of cases in which the screw connections of the Paralever link and/or the rear brake caliper have loosened in customer vehicles while driving.

M660122

BACK OVER PREVENTION; BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

The options in the Reversing Assist Camera menu are greyed out and cannot be adjusted.

MC000521

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control units cannot be found when reading out with ISTA. 2. Control units initially communicate after connecting to the vehicle, but communication later stops.

MC610821

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW R Nine T by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023000—
2022000—
2021000—
2020030—
2019020—
2018020—
2017010—
2016010—
2015Viewing220—
2014130—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.