2022 BMW R 18 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 89%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2022 BMW R 18, 89% of the 9 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2022 BMW R18B motorcycle in 2023. There are 3 models of this motorcycle. R18 is plain without a fairing or smart controls. The R18 Transcontinental is top of line with fairing computer, navigation, phone pairing. The R18B which is my motorcycle is basically the same as Transcontinental except it does not have top case and rack for mounting top case. Here is the safety problem with the R18B. The Transcontinental has running and brake light built into top case. Directional signals are mounted on saddlebags. they also do braking. …”
NHTSA complaint #11578707, filed 2024-03“While on a multi-state trip I noticed that two pieces of the headlight have come loose inside the lens distorting the beam. On September 19, 2023 I took the bike in for a warranty claim and it was approved. Now two weeks later the dealer is still unable to give me a time frame for replacement due to the number of theses that have failed. I cannot ride the bike for fear of it going out entirely for safety as well as a law violation. I definitely cannot ride it at night for obvious reasons. The bike has 7000 miles now with most of a 3 year/36000 mile warranty remaining.”
NHTSA complaint #11548286, filed 2023-10“Pieces of headlight reflector are breaking off inside the headlight housing. This causes the beam of light to completely miss the road. Also the adaptive function of headlight will stick to one side periodically meaning all light is pointing left or right of the roadway when going straight.”
NHTSA complaint #11540406, filed 2023-08“The BMW R18 B motorcycle is equipped with an adaptive headlight, which directs the headlight beam in the direction of the motorcycle's lean angle and handlebar rotation; however, the headlight has failed, where the reflective mirror pieces have fallen apart. The loose reflective pieces creates a dazzling effect in the direction of the light beam; this appears to be a high failure item on the R18 B and Transcontinental models, equipped with the adaptive headlight. …”
NHTSA complaint #11541825, filed 2023-08“The adaptive headlight assembly had a sudden and unexpected catastrophic internal failure leading to complete loss of low beam headlight. BMW R18 Transcontinental. An appointment has been made with local BMW motorcycle dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11540681, filed 2023-08Related recalls
- 23V884000Dec 22, 2023BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 BMW R 18B and R 18 Transcontinental motorcycles. The headlight low beam attachment points may…Covers: BMW R 18 2021–2024
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 89% |
Other parts of the 2022 BMW R 18
← All problems reported for the 2022 BMW R 18
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology