BMW R1100 RT Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the BMW R1100 RT (1999–2000) that have at least 5 complaints. 1999 has the most, with 6. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (5 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All R1100 RT model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | 38,770 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 6 | 54,750 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain5 42%
- Vehicle speed control2 17%
- Electrical system2 17%
- Suspension1 8.3%
- Steering1 8.3%
- Brakes1 8.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2000: “I purchased a used 2000 Bmw r 1100 rt motorcycle which is equipped with ABS-2 brakes and soon thereafter recognized there was a fault with the ABS braking system. I followed the reset procedure and the fault kept coming back. To my amazement I soon found out through talking to other Bmw riders and internet clubs and groups that ABS failures on Bmw bikes was common place. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130449, filed 2005-07, 20,120 miles1999: “I own a 1999 Bmw r1100rt motorcycle. I was riding home and notice that my rear brake did not work, as I turned onto my home street. When I parked the vehicle, I notice a puddle of oil quickly forming under the shaft drive and onto the rear wheel. This leak started on the highway, and could have caused an accident and injury. Upon further disassembly and inspection I found the oil seal had been damaged and ripped by a bearing failure in the final drive unit of the vehicle. This is a known issue with Bmw motorcycles, and can be attributed to poor assembly and quality control at the factory. …”
NHTSA complaint #10278451, filed 2009-07, 18,500 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology