1996 BMW R1100 RS Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 BMW R1100 RS, 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
- Engine133.3%
- Powertrain (other)133.3%
- Transmission133.3%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL ON MOTORCYCLE #97V-173, RISK OF FIRE AT IDLE SPEED. THE REMEDY IS A STICKER PLACED ON MOTORCYCLE AS A REMINDER NOT TO LEAVE AT IDLE SPEED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN ODI NO. 10439549, AND CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER CAMPAIGN DP12001. THE REAR WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND WOBBLY. I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM AT AN EARLY STAGE, BEFORE GEAR OIL LEAKED OUT ONTO THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM FOURTH GEAR INTO THIRD WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER LEAVING THE FREEWAY AND DOWNSHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE BACK WHEEL LOCKED UP WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .