Bmw R1100RSL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,572 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 25.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 5 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 1 |
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 5; Power Train: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Wheels: 1; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
2000: 8; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2012: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 726842 · 2000-08-06 (August 6, 2000)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS UNSAFE SHIFTING CHARACTERISTICS: DIFICULT TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WITHOUT GETTING HUNG-UP IN NEUTRAL, SOMETIMES DROPS FROM HIGHER TO LOWER GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723791 · 2000-06-09 (June 9, 2000)
TRANSMISSION KEPT POPPING OUT OF GEAR, SOMETIMES AT VERY INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS. TOLD IT MAY CONTINUE TO DO THIS EVEN AFTER DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044513 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
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 WAS CONSIDERED SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT RIDING THE VEHICLE TO A BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL REPAIRS WAS TO BE AVOIDED IF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, A SHEET METAL PLATE MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF THE FRAME BELOW THE IN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744283 · 2001-04-19 (April 19, 2001)
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 KILLED BY A TRUCK. THE PROBLEM RESULTS FROM CRACKED INSULATION IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITING AND VARYING DEGREES OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE. PROPERTY DAMAGE UP TO $2000 HAS BEEN REPORTED; IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING TO LEARN THAT A MAJOR I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723816 · 2000-06-09 (June 9, 2000)
THE PROBLEM IS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER TRANMISSION IN 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION, NOT A SAFE CONDITION IN TRAFFIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 871239 · 2000-09-22 (September 22, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871239 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1