1996 BMW R1100 Rt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE REAR BRAKE HOSE CAN CONTACT THE REAR TIRE AS THE REAR SUSPENSION MOVES THROUGH ITS RANGE OF TRAVEL.
What could happen: THE HOSE CAN ABRADE TO THE POINT WHERE THE HOSE WILL LEAK BRAKE FLUID, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKE. ALSO, BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE REAR TIRE CAN IMPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE HOSE GUIDE AND RE-ROUTE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE TO INSURE THAT IT CANNOT CONTACT THE REAR TIRE THROUGHOUT THE RANGE OF SUSPENSION TRAVEL.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 R1100 RT.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V202000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE REAR BRAKE HOSE CAN CONTACT THE REAR TIRE AS THE REAR SUSPENSION MOVES THROUGH ITS RANGE OF TRAVEL.
Consequence: THE HOSE CAN ABRADE TO THE POINT WHERE THE HOSE WILL LEAK BRAKE FLUID, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKE. ALSO, BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE REAR TIRE CAN IMPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE HOSE GUIDE AND RE-ROUTE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE TO INSURE THAT IT CANNOT CONTACT THE REAR TIRE THROUGHOUT THE RANGE OF SUSPENSION TRAVEL.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; LINES; HOSE; NON-METALLIC. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
11/16/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
FINAL DRIVE FAILURE -- LARGE BEARING. *TR
07/04/2005 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION FAILURE -- 2ND GEAR WILL NO LONGER STAY ENGAGED UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION. BIKE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. UNTIL REBUILD, AVOIDING 2ND GEAR USE
12/23/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
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