Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,572 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 1996 model years. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
Reported: 1997-10-08 (October 8, 1997) · Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996
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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
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 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 150.0% | 125.0%ODI 726842MANUAL 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 | 342.9%ODI 723791TRANSMISSION KEPT POPPING OUT OF GEAR, SOMETIMES AT VERY INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS. TOLD IT MAY CONTINUE TO DO THIS EVEN AFTER DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM. *AK |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10448393 · 102,143 miFAILURE OF THE LARGE BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. THE SEAL DID NOT LEAK PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR | 114.3%ODI 10446977 · 29,000 miPOWER 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10044513COMPLAINT 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… |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10044513COMPLAINT 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… |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 744283WIRING 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… |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 150.0%ODI 534214REAR DRIVESHAFT, WHEN HEATED UP OR SUBJECT TO AN INCREASE IN AMBIENT ALTITUDE, CAN SIPHON OUT A QUANTITY OF OIL FROM ITS VENT DUE TO HIGHER RELATIVE PRESSURE INSIDE THE CASE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 871239WHILE 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 |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 726064THE TIRES WERE ALWAYS INFLATED AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURERS. THE FRONT WHEEL WOULD BEND BECAUSE OF ITS THREE SPOKE DESIGN AND THE SOFT ALLOW USED. REPLACEMENT WAS ORIGINALLY $600 PLUS LABOR AND LATER, THE PRICE WAS DROPPED TO $400 PLUST LABOR. THE COMPANY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE THREE OTHER MOTORCYCLES, USING THEM TO TRAVEL THE SAME ROUTE AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BENT FRONT WHEELS WITH ANY OF THEM. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 65,572 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10448393 · 102,143 miFAILURE OF THE LARGE BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. THE SEAL DID NOT LEAK PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR ODI 10446977 · 29,000 miPOWER 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 |
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.
| 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. |
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.
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.
1995: 1 complaints · 1996: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 1 | 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.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Power Train | Electrical System:Ignition | Electrical System:Wiring | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Power Train:Axle Assembly | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 10044513COMPLAINT 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… | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10044513COMPLAINT 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… | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
THE PROBLEM IS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER TRANMISSION IN 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION, NOT A SAFE CONDITION IN TRAFFIC. *AK
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b