Bmw RT SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
27,588 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 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 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 21.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 14.3% |
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 | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Power Train: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 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 10169744 · 2006-10-02 (October 2, 2006)
EVENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 1, 2006. MOTORCYCLE WAS HEADING NORTHBOUND ON 202 NORTH NEAR THE TOWN OF FLEMINGTON. UPON APPROACHING A YELLOW LIGHT, RIDER ENGAGED BRAKES ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY (DIDN'T SEE FLASHING RED LIGHTS UNTIL AFTER THE FACT). SPED THROUGH THE YELLOW LIGHT AND MADE IT SAFELY THROUGH IT. BRAKES SERVOS ON THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRIED RESTARTING THE MOTORCYCLE TO NO AVAIL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 43,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10169744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321413 · 2010-03-22 (March 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW R1150RT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,101.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,101 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037198 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURES, TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACED, COMPLAINT WAS LOUD RATTLING NOISE SOUNDED LIKE SOMTING WAS ABOUT TO BREAK IN THERE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 19,706 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037200 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN, LOUD RATTELING NOISE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED JUNE 19 2003 BY BMW MOTORCYLES OF DAYTONA BEACH, BMW MOTOR COMAPANY WILL NOT FIX, BIKE IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY OF 3 YEARS 36,000 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 34,398 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973168 · 1995-10-10 (October 10, 1995)
FUEL SYSTEM, AFTER MOTOR CYCLE IS DRIVING AND FILLED AND PARKED LOSS OF FUEL COMING OUT OF TANK OUT OF THE OVER BOARD VENT TANK. TT THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEGED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENT VAPOR LINE WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED AT THE TIME IT WAS ASSEMBLED. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY REPOSITIONING THE FUEL TANK. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217488 · 2008-02-08 (February 8, 2008)
DROVE VEHICLE 10 MILES AND PARKED IN GARAGE. CAME BACK ONE HOUR LATER AND FUEL FUMES PERMEATED THE GARAGE. POOL OF FUEL OBSERVED UNDER THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDER OF 2002 BMW R1150RT MOTORCYCLE WITH FLOOR AREA OF GARAGE AND STOWED ITEMS SOAKED IN GASOLINE. EXTREME DANGER OF EXPLOSION IN GARAGE HAD WATER HEATER OR GAS FURNACE HAD STARTED TO OPERATE. QUICK DISCONNECT IN PRESSURIZED FUEL SUPPLY LINE HAD FAILED. ITEM HAD BEEN SERVICED UNDER A RECALL NOTICE 04V-028 BY SAN JOSE BMW IN JUNE 2006. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH BMW…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217488 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1996: 0; 2002: 0