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1996 BMW R1100RSL

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19944
19957
1996
Compare all R1100RSL years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
4Electrical System
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

4 reports
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29,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Power Train

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 FAILING AND I HAD THE FINAL DRIVE RE…

Read full complaint

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 FAILING AND I HAD THE FINAL DRIVE REPAIRED AT A BMW REPAIR FACILITY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH PARALEVER DRIVE BMW MOTORCYCLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446977

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2000
Power Train

WHILE ACCELERATING IN 3RD GEAR, TRANSMISSION POPS MOMENTARILY OUT OF GEAR. SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION MAY BE DANGERIOUS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #726786

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2000
Power Train

THE PROBLEM IS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER TRANMISSION IN 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION, NOT A SAFE CONDITION IN TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723816

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION KEPT POPPING OUT OF GEAR, SOMETIMES AT VERY INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS. TOLD IT MAY CONTINUE TO DO THIS EVEN AFTER DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #723791

Official recalls

1

97V173000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Oct 8, 1997

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.