RoadVitals

1999 BMW R1100 S

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.
4
Latest Aug 23, 2002
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.
4
Latest Aug 24, 2001
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 BMW R1100 S, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, body & structure and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Other / unspecified233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
01V272000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Aug 24, 2001
1,090 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE LEADING FROM THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR CAN CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGID LINES OF THE FUEL FEED AND THE RETURN LINES. CONTINUED CHAFING OF THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE CAN LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE ON AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE FLEXIBLE HOSE WITH ONE WITH A BRAIDED COVER TO PREVENT CHAFING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #5.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
00V318000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Oct 11, 2000
718 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH-MOUNTED HANDLEBARS. THE HIGH-MOUNTED HANDLEBARS ARE POSITION ON TOP OF THE UPPER FORK CLAMP AND ARE CLAMPED TO THE TOP OF EACH UPPER FORK TUBE. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A HANDLEBAR TO ROTATE FORWARD.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE RIDING, THE RIDER'S BALANCE COULD BE UPSET AND A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL DEGREASE THE CLAMPING CONNECTION PARTS, REWORK THE POSITIONING TAB (IF NECESSARY) TO FIT PROPERLY IN THE CORRESPONDING GAP IN THE UPPER FORK CLAMP, AND RESET THE TORQUE OF THE CLAMPING CONNECTIONS.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
00V144000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

May 18, 2000
474 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO USE OF AN INCORRECT THREAD-LOCKING MATERIAL IN PRODUCTION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE REAR BRAKE LINKAGE BALL END, WHICH IS SCREWED INTO THE REAR BRAKE LEVER, TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THE LEVER.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE REAR BRAKE COULD NO LONGER BE APPLIED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE BRAKE LINKAGE BALL END FROM THE BRAKE LEVER AND REINSTALL IT WITH A DIFFERENT THREAD-LOCKING COMPOUND, TO PREVENT THE BALL END FROM LOOSENING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 2002

TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT SEAL FAILED. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE. PELICAN PARTS R1100S BULLETIN BOARD SUGGESTS THIS FAILURE IS COMMON, AND RECOMMENDED SUBMITTING THIS FORM.*AK

NHTSA ID
766106
Incident
Aug 17, 2002
Body & structureEngine
Filed Sep 30, 2001

I HAVE NEVER CRASHED MY 1999 BMW R1100SA MOTORCYCLE AND MAINTAINED IT STRICTLY BY BMW SUGGESTED SCHEDULE. 64K MILES ON THE ODO NOW. THOUGH BIKE HAS NOT LEFT ME STRANDED, IT HAS HAD ENDLESS PROBLEMS - BIG PROBLEMS AND BEEN OUT-OF-SERVICE FOR REPAIR IN EXCESS OF 85 DAYS IN 2 YEARS. IT HAD A BREAK IN THE FRAME (I COULD NOT HAVE BROKEN THE FRAME!); THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE NEW ONE DOES NOT FIT CORRECTLY AND IS BREAKING THROUGH A FRAME BRACE, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF ANOTHER FRAME PROBLEM (PRESENTING SAFETY ISSUE); THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE ~ OVER HEATING, IMPROPERLY CUT VALVES AND PITTING CYLINDERS, EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION BLOW-BY; 3 SETS OF REPLACED HEADER PIPES DUE TO PITTING FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT; 4 SETS OF FAILED THROTTLE/CHOKE CABLES - CABLES SHREDDED AT JUNCTURE BOX; TWICE REPLACED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS; REPLACED CLUTCH AND TRANS. DUE TO FLOODING W/OIL BECAUSE OF FAILED REAR ENGINE SEAL THE BMW APPROVED DEALER IGNORED; EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STILL; BOTH THROTTLE BODY COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED; THE ENGINE TEMP SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. BMW'S WARRANTEE FIXED MOST FAILURES HOWEVER THE LIST IS ENDLESS AND NOT IN LINE WITH A HIGH PERFORMANCE MACHINE. BMW DECLINES TO ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT COULD BE A RESULT OF FRAME/STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AND INSTEAD IMPLIES THAT FAILURES ARE FROM HIGH MILEAGE OR USER.

NHTSA ID
752759
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 31, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
726276
Incident
Sep 18, 1999
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Oct 28, 1999

FRONT WHEEL RIM IS MADE OF ALUMINUM WHICH IS TOO SOFT AND NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED FOR ROAD STRESS AND WAS BENT BY MILD IMPACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS CAUSING TIRE TO DEFLATE AND VEHICLE TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. NLM

NHTSA ID
549276

Manufacturer communications

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

MC610102

ENGINE; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

If the connector is badly positioned, the blue cable from the alternator to the charge indicator light can show signs of chafing.

SB-00-021-07

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

BMW MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING ETHANOL. BMW MOTORRAD HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE USE OF SI ENGINE FUELS CONTAINING UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 10% ETHANOL AND IMPOSES NO WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS. ETHANOL MIXTURES IN PROPORTIONS HIGHER THAN 10% CAN HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON PERFORMANCE AND CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS THAT COME INTO CONTRACT WITH FUEL. NO WARRANTY CLAIMS WHATSOEVER FOR DAMAGE CAUSED IN THIS WAY WILL BE ACCEPTED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

2835R

STRUCTURE:BODY

INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL HOLD AND MODIFICATION. VIN RANGE: ZB50005- ZB50357 *DB*YC

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 R1100 S by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004100—
2003111—
2001111—
2000011—
1999Viewing440—

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.