Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2001 model years. Data updated: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Power Train:Manual Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
3
15.0%
Transmission and shifting
2
10.0%
Engine operation
1
5.0%
Fuel system concerns
1
5.0%
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.
Power Train:Manual Transmission
4
Power Train
2
Power Train:Driveline
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Power Train:Manual Transmission
4
Power Train
2
Power Train:Driveline
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
Power Train:Manual Transmission: 4; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Driveline: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
4
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 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.
Power Train:Manual Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
I OWN A 1999 BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. I WAS RIDING HOME AND NOTICE THAT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK, AS I TURNED ONTO MY HOME STREET. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL QUICKLY FORMING UNDER THE SHAFT DRIVE AND ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THIS LEAK STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. UPON FURTHER DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION I FOUND THE OIL SEAL HAD BEEN DAMAGED AND RIPPED BY A BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW MOTORCYCLES, AND CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO…
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA MY EXPERIENCE WITH A DEFECTIVE FINAL DRIVE ON MY BMW MOTORCYCLE. INVESTIGATION DP12001 WAS OPENED ON 01/20/12, AND I REALIZE THAT FOR NOW, ITS SCOPE IS BEING CONFINED TO 1999-2005 K1200LT MODELS OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE LINE. HOWEVER MY BIKE, A 1999 R1100RT, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THE 11TH OF OCTOBER 2011 I WAS RIDING WITH MY WIFE WHEN WE NOTICED A RUMBLING AND THE BIKE WAS SEVERELY SHAKING. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE BUT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK AND WHEN I FINA…
WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO SECOND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING THE BIKE TO LURCH AND DISTRACT THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS SCC
THERE IS PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WHICH CONTROLS THE FUEL, AIR, IGNITION MIXTURE AND TIMING ON THE BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. THIS ISSUE CAUSESTHE ENGINE TO SURGE IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVING BETWEEN 2500 AND 4000 RPM'S. THE ECU ALSO CAUSES INTERMITTENT ENGINE CYLINDER FIRING MISSES AND THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS CONSTITUTES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CORNERING AS A LOSS OF POWER DURING CORNERING CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO CRASHING ON TWO OR THREE OCCASSIONS BECAUSE OF…
I HAD STARTED UP MOTORCYCLE TO TAKE OUT FOR A RIDE, IT WAS COLD, I HAD WALKED TO MY OFFICE AND PICKED UP HELMUT, LEATHERS AND CAME BACK THE MOTORCYLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE MANUFACURER STATES DO NOT RUN MOTORCYCLE IDLING, WITH THE SIDE STAND THERE IS AN ENGINE CUT OFF, WITH THE CENTER STAND IT WILL RUN. I DO NOT SEE ANY DIFFERENCE IN IDLING/ MOTORCYCLE STANDING STILL AND IDLING INCHING FORWARD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I CAN SEE IS THAT THERE WAS NOT A SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE I WAS NOT SITTING ON THE BIKE, AND THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED BE…
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
20 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
55.0%Usable mileage11 / 20 records
95.0%Valid incident date19 / 20 records
100.0%Valid filing date20 / 20 records
95.0%Ordered incident and filing dates19 / 20 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
1996
1997
1999
2000
2001
Power Train:Manual Transmission
3100.0%ODI 10001384
WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO SECOND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING THE BIKE TO LURCH AND DISTRACT THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS SCC
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA MY EXPERIENCE WITH A DEFECTIVE FINAL DRIVE ON MY BMW MOTORCYCLE. INVESTIGATION DP12001 WAS OPENED ON 01/20/12, AND I REALIZE THAT FOR NOW, ITS SCOPE IS BEING CONFINED TO 1999-2005 K1200LT MODELS OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE LINE. HOWEVER MY BIKE, A 1999 R1100RT, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THE 11TH OF OCTOBER 2011 I WAS RIDING WITH MY WIFE WHEN WE NOTICED A RUMBLING AND THE BIKE WAS SEVERELY SHAKING. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE BUT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK AND WHEN I FINA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW R1100 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,420 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I HAD A SECOND FAILURE AT 60K MILES. O WAS RIDING THE BIKE AND FELT A VIBRATION. I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE,SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. I COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I KEPT RIDING. THE VIBRAATION KEPT GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD…
I OWN A 1999 BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. I WAS RIDING HOME AND NOTICE THAT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK, AS I TURNED ONTO MY HOME STREET. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL QUICKLY FORMING UNDER THE SHAFT DRIVE AND ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THIS LEAK STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. UPON FURTHER DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION I FOUND THE OIL SEAL HAD BEEN DAMAGED AND RIPPED BY A BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW MOTORCYCLES, AND CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO…
ENGINE SURGE (CYCLING FROM HIGH TO LOW RPM'S WITHOUT THROTTLE INPUT) JEOPARDIZES CONTROL, ESPECIALLY IN CORNERING SITUATIONS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THIS SITUATION CORRECTED BY MY DEALER MECHANIC, ALONG WITH THE USE OF AFTERMARKET SPARK PLUGS. BMW'S OFFICIAL POSITION IS APPARENTLY THAT SURGING IS NOT A PROBLEM IN R1100 ENGINES, THOUGH IT IS FREQUENTLY REPORTED TO THE COMPANY. *AK
THE ENGINE SURGES BETWEEN ABOUT 2,500 AND 4,000 RPM. IT FEEL LIKE THE KILL SWITCH IS PULSING ON AND OFF RAPIDLY. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN CORNERING. THE DEALER SAYS IT WILL GET BETTER WITH MORE MILEAGE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS.
THERE IS PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WHICH CONTROLS THE FUEL, AIR, IGNITION MIXTURE AND TIMING ON THE BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. THIS ISSUE CAUSESTHE ENGINE TO SURGE IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVING BETWEEN 2500 AND 4000 RPM'S. THE ECU ALSO CAUSES INTERMITTENT ENGINE CYLINDER FIRING MISSES AND THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS CONSTITUTES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CORNERING AS A LOSS OF POWER DURING CORNERING CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO CRASHING ON TWO OR THREE OCCASSIONS BECAUSE OF…
I HAD STARTED UP MOTORCYCLE TO TAKE OUT FOR A RIDE, IT WAS COLD, I HAD WALKED TO MY OFFICE AND PICKED UP HELMUT, LEATHERS AND CAME BACK THE MOTORCYLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE MANUFACURER STATES DO NOT RUN MOTORCYCLE IDLING, WITH THE SIDE STAND THERE IS AN ENGINE CUT OFF, WITH THE CENTER STAND IT WILL RUN. I DO NOT SEE ANY DIFFERENCE IN IDLING/ MOTORCYCLE STANDING STILL AND IDLING INCHING FORWARD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I CAN SEE IS THAT THERE WAS NOT A SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE I WAS NOT SITTING ON THE BIKE, AND THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED BE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A REDESIGNED VUE PORT OF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE IS TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA MY EXPERIENCE WITH A DEFECTIVE FINAL DRIVE ON MY BMW MOTORCYCLE. INVESTIGATION DP12001 WAS OPENED ON 01/20/12, AND I REALIZE THAT FOR NOW, ITS SCOPE IS BEING CONFINED TO 1999-2005 K1200LT MODELS OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE LINE. HOWEVER MY BIKE, A 1999 R1100RT, HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ON THE 11TH OF OCTOBER 2011 I WAS RIDING WITH MY WIFE WHEN WE NOTICED A RUMBLING AND THE BIKE WAS SEVERELY SHAKING. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE BUT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK AND WHEN I FINA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW R1100 RT MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FINAL DRIVE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,420 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I HAD A SECOND FAILURE AT 60K MILES. O WAS RIDING THE BIKE AND FELT A VIBRATION. I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE,SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. I COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I KEPT RIDING. THE VIBRAATION KEPT GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD…
I OWN A 1999 BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. I WAS RIDING HOME AND NOTICE THAT MY REAR BRAKE DID NOT WORK, AS I TURNED ONTO MY HOME STREET. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL QUICKLY FORMING UNDER THE SHAFT DRIVE AND ONTO THE REAR WHEEL. THIS LEAK STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. UPON FURTHER DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION I FOUND THE OIL SEAL HAD BEEN DAMAGED AND RIPPED BY A BEARING FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW MOTORCYCLES, AND CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A REDESIGNED VUE PORT OF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2000: 3 complaints · 2001: 2 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2000
0
2
3
2001
1
2
2
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2000
4
1
0
2001
3
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Power Train:Manual Transmission
Power Train
Power Train:Driveline
Vehicle Speed Control
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Engine And Engine Cooling
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
Power Train:Manual Transmission
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Power Train
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
Power Train:Driveline
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
0
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
Engine And Engine Cooling
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Hard or delayed shifting
1 mentions · 5.0% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 10001384
WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO SECOND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING, CAUSING THE BIKE TO LURCH AND DISTRACT THE CONSUMER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. TS SCC
THERE IS PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) WHICH CONTROLS THE FUEL, AIR, IGNITION MIXTURE AND TIMING ON THE BMW R1100RT MOTORCYCLE. THIS ISSUE CAUSESTHE ENGINE TO SURGE IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVING BETWEEN 2500 AND 4000 RPM'S. THE ECU ALSO CAUSES INTERMITTENT ENGINE CYLINDER FIRING MISSES AND THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS CONSTITUTES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN CORNERING AS A LOSS OF POWER DURING CORNERING CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO CRASHING ON TWO OR THREE OCCASSIONS BECAUSE OF…