The 1996 BMW R1100rsl has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,275 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING97V1730001997-10-081,275 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE OWNER'S MANUAL WARNS THE RIDER NOT TO LEAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING UNNECESSARILY WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS STATIONARY AND TO RIDE OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING.
Consequence
IF THIS WARNING IS IGNORED AND THE ENGINE IS LEFT RUNNING AT AN INCREASED SPEED ABOVE IDLE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS AT A STANDSTILL WITH THE AIR STREAM REQUIRED FOR COOLING MISSING, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURE WILL RISE CONSIDERABLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE SENT A WARNING LABEL FOR THEIR MOTORCYCLE AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
POWER TRAIN
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Power train failure: the final drive bearings failed at about 29000 miles. The problem was noticed by me during the normal maintenance and fluid changes. There was considerable metal flakes in the final drive fluid, indicative of the initial stage of bearing failure. The bearings were indeed…”
“Wiring harness shorted out causing a failure to continue operating. Other owners of the same model bmw motorcycle (r1100gs and r1150gs, 1995-2001) have experienced similar failures, including a recent near fatality when the electrical system and all lights failed at night. The owner was almost…”
“While riding at 10 mph had to make a sudden stop and brakes locked up.*ak the abs was not reset. The driver was trying to stop but both front and rear wheels locked resulting in loss of control of the vehicle. *yh”
“While accelerating in 3rd gear, transmission pops momentarily out of gear. Sudden loss of acceleration may be dangerious.*ak”
“The problem is a momentary loss of power tranmission in 3rd gear under acceleration, not a safe condition in traffic. *ak”
“Transmission kept popping out of gear, sometimes at very inopportune moments. Told it may continue to do this even after dealer 'fixed' problem. *ak”
“Complaint regarding ignition switch harness recall.*mr the primary owner had the motorcycle serviced for wiring harness per service bulletine #23815. The recall was designed to correct problems with the ignition switch harness where the ignition wires could become damaged and/or disconnected and…”
“Complaint regarding ignition switch harness recall.*mr the primary owner had the motorcycle serviced for wiring harness per service bulletine #23815. The recall was designed to correct problems with the ignition switch harness where the ignition wires could become damaged and/or disconnected and…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 BMW R1100rsl as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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