1996 BMW R1100RSL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › BMW › R1100RSL › 1996
These records cover every 1996 BMW R1100RSL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1996 BMW R1100RSL. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
7 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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…
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
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Wiring
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 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 instrument cluster can cause the wiring harness to be stretched too tight, where it passes over the plate, as the handlebars are turned fully to one side, such as when parking the vehicle and locking the steering. Consumer contacted the dealership to get the recall performed. The dealership closed down and consumer feels BMW should cover all expenses for the recall work since it didn't correct the problem. *ph
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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…
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 injury accident has occurred following one of these failures. since motorcycle accidents are often fatal, the operator would probably not have reported the electrical failure.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Power train › Manual transmission
While accelerating in 3RD gear, transmission pops momentarily out of gear. sudden loss of acceleration may be dangerious.*ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
The problem IS a momentary loss of power tranmission in 3RD gear under acceleration, not a safe condition in traffic. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission kept popping out of gear, sometimes at very inopportune moments. Told it may continue to do this even after dealer 'fixed' problem. *Ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10030825BMW 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.
Every BMW R1100RSL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.