2020 BMW S 1000 Rr recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
What could happen: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact B…
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 2020 S 1000 RR.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V476000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- 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:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Consequence: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Electrical system — fix not yet available
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. The vibration of the motorcycle may cause an internal component of the ignition lock to fail, which can cause the instrument display, rear lighting, and other systems such as ABS to fail, or cause an engine stall while riding.
What could happen: An engine stall or failure of electrical systems such as the instrument display or ABS, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.go…
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 2020 S 1000 RR.
- The fix is not available yet. Register your contact details with the dealer so they call you when parts arrive.
- Ask the dealer to confirm the repair is free of charge — safety recall repairs are free by US law.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 S 1000 RR US, and 2020-2026 S 1000 RR motorcycles. The vibration of the motorcycle may cause an internal component of the ignition lock to fail, which can cause the instrument display, rear lighting, and other systems such as ABS to fail, or cause an engine stall while riding.
Consequence: An engine stall or failure of electrical systems such as the instrument display or ABS, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 14, 2026.
Notes:
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2020 BMW S 1000 Rr owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (4), Brakes (2), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
03/18/2025 · Engine
The coil packs of the 2020 model have gotten a reputation for going out with no warning. It often happens well driving. In my case, two went bad and I had to limp home. Riding like this can further damage the engine. In some cases this happens to people when they are far away from any place and can end up stranded. A quick Google search of this model in yea…
01/18/2025 · Wheels / tires
Carbon fiber rims developed bubble with minor air leakage...about ~2psi per day. First noticed this deformity around ~Nov 2024 If there is a micro crack developed along the valve stem on a carbon fiber rim, then the wheel forces can cause the crack to grow and sudden loss of pressure, resulting in severe injury. Brought the motorcycle to a BMW dealersh…
10/07/2021 · Brakes
After the brake recall, and new brake calipers and pads were installed, I began to notice significant vibrations of the front end during medium braking. During mild to medium braking going down hill, the front end would seem to bounce.
06/11/2021 · Engine
Leaking coolant from weep hole after every ride, telltale sign water/oil pump is bad. Yes it’s available. Coolant and oil are very slick. I could fall and die if my rear tire decides to slip under the liquids. Yes the dealer and bmw confirmed it was leaking from the weep hole but placed blame on the aftermarket headers. No the water/oil pump has not been in…
05/10/2021 · Brakes
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS LEAKING DURING VEHICLE REST PERIODS SINCE OR BEFORE 20TH AUGUST 2020. A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE RESERVOIR HAS BEEN CONSUMED BEFORE NOTICING. THIS IS A KNOWN CONDITION AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS YET NO FIX HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED ON THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STORED AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIR.
10/02/2020 · Engine
OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE AFTER ONLY 400MILES, I NOTICED THE LEAK BECAUSE IT STAINED THE FLOOR WHERE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED.
06/17/2020 · Engine
OIL LEAKING FROM LOWER ENGINE TO CONNECTING OIL COOLER LINE. OIL SEEMS LIKE COMING FROM DRAIN PLUG. MORE NOTICEABLE AFTER MOTORCYCLE OPERATION, POTENTIALLY BE LEAKING WHILE RIDING. *TR