NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1999–2004

BMW R 1100 S recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints for the BMW R 1100 S, covering model years 1999 to 2004. The 1999 model year drew the most complaints (4), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW R 1100 S VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

5 recall campaigns on file
7 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
5 model years with data (1999–2004)

most complaints: 1999 (4 for that model year)
top component: Power Train (3 complaints)
latest recall 02V319000 (reported Nov 27, 2002)

0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW R 1100 S complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1999 model year has the most complaints: 4 of 7, or 57.1%. Next come 2001 (1) and 2003 (1). The fewest are for 2004, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

BMW R 1100 S complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

BMW R 1100 S complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
1999	4	0	0	0	0
2001	1	0	0	0	0
2003	1	0	0	0	0
2004	1	0	0	0	0
All model years	7	0	0	0	0

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW R 1100 S components

top 7 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 3 complaints (42.9% of all 7), followed by Wheels (2) and Engine and Engine Cooling (1).

Components named most often in BMW R 1100 S complaints (top 7)

Components named most often in BMW R 1100 S complaints (top 7)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Power Train	3	42.9%
Wheels	2	28.6%
Engine and Engine Cooling	1	14.3%
Exterior Lighting	1	14.3%
Fuel/Propulsion System	1	14.3%
Steering	1	14.3%
Structure	1	14.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW R 1100 S recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name R 1100 S, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 1999 to 2003. The 1999 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

5 recall campaigns

BMW R 1100 S recall campaigns covering each model year
1999: 4 campaigns	2000: 1 campaign	2001: 1 campaign	2002: no campaigns	2003: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 02V319000
Reported Nov 27, 2002
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Model year 2003
On certain motorcycles, it is possible that the 3rd and 4th transmission gear (shift) wheels may not be securely seated on the intermediate shaft. Consequently, when attempting to shift from 5th to 6th gear, engagement of the two gears may occur simultaneously.
Consequence:
If this happens, the gear wheels could crack resulting in a loss of transmission capability, or, a lock of transmission could occur. The rear wheel could lock which, depending upon traffic and road conditions, and the rider's reaction, could affect the stability of the motorcycle.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the motorcycles and replace the transmission gear box if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin during December 2002. 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, option #4.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 01V272000
Reported Aug 24, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Model year 1999
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The flexible fuel hose leading from the fuel distributor can chafe against the rigid lines of the fuel feed and the return lines. Continued chafing of the flexible fuel hose can lead to fuel leakage.
Consequence:
Fuel leakage, in the presence on an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the right side flexible hose with one with a braided cover to prevent chafing. Owner notification began October 16, 2001. 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, option #5.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 00V318000
Reported Oct 11, 2000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Model years 1999–2001
Vehicle description: motorcycles equipped with high-mounted handlebars. The high-mounted handlebars are position on top of the upper fork clamp and are clamped to the top of each upper fork tube. It is possible for a handlebar to rotate forward.
Consequence:
If this were to occur while riding, the rider's balance could be upset and a crash and personal injury could result.
Remedy:
Dealers will degrease the clamping connection parts, rework the positioning tab (if necessary) to fit properly in the corresponding gap in the upper fork clamp, and reset the torque of the clamping connections.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 00V144000
Reported May 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Model year 1999
Vehicle description: motorcycles. Due to use of an incorrect thread-locking material in production, it is possible for the rear brake linkage ball end, which is screwed into the rear brake lever, to loosen and eventually detach from the lever.
Consequence:
If this happens, the rear brake could no longer be applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will remove the brake linkage ball end from the brake lever and reinstall it with a different thread-locking compound, to prevent the ball end from loosening.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 98V294000
Reported Nov 10, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Model year 1999
Vehicle description: motorcycles. If the engine backfires during the starting process, it is possible for either throttle body to loosen in its mount, or to disconnect from its mount. If this happens, the fuel line could be damaged or the line and injector could separate from each other, causing fuel leakage.
Consequence:
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fuel distribution unit. In addition, the connection between the throttle body and the air inlet tube will be secured with two screws to prevent damage to the hose or injector should a backfire occur.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW R 1100 S questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW R 1100 S have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW R 1100 S, covering model years 1999 to 2004. The most recent, 02V319000, was reported on November 27, 2002 and is filed under “Power train”. The 1999 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which BMW R 1100 S model year has the most complaints?

The 1999 model year, with 4 of the 7 complaints in NHTSA’s file (57.1%). The next are 2001 (1) and 2003 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW R 1100 S complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 3 complaints, or 42.9% of all 7. Wheels (2) and Engine and Engine Cooling (1) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW R 1100 S?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW R 1100 S complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 7 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.