BMW R1100RSL Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints across the 1 model years of the BMW R1100RSL (1996–1996) that have at least 5 complaints. 1996 has the most, with 7. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (4 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All R1100RSL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 7 | 29,000 | 1 | 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 drivetrain4 57%
- Electrical system2 29%
- Brakes1 14%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1996: “Power train failure: the final drive bearings failed at about 29000 miles. The problem was noticed by me during the normal maintenance and fluid changes. There was considerable metal flakes in the final drive fluid, indicative of the initial stage of bearing failure. The bearings were indeed failing and I had the final drive repaired at a Bmw repair facility. This has been an ongoing problem with paralever drive Bmw motorcycles.”
NHTSA complaint #10446977, filed 2012-02, 29,000 milesOther BMW models
3,167 complaintsBMW 328I
2,577 complaintsBMW X3
2,018 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 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology