1996 BMW R1100RSL Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other R1100RSL years
- Not enough data 1st of 2 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 BMW R1100RSL. That is the most of any R1100RSL model year in the database (2 years). The most reported problem area is power train (4 complaints, 57%), typically at around 29,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 7owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 BMW R1100RSL problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 | 57% | 29,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 29% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 14% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 BMW R1100RSL recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. The owner's manual warns the rider not to leave the engine running unnecessarily when the motorcycle is stationary and to ride off immediately after starting.
Risk: If this warning is ignored and the engine is left running at an increased speed above idle while the motorcycle is at a standstill with the air stream required for cooling missing, the exhaust system temperature will rise considerable increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners will be sent a warning label for their motorcycle and an owner's manual insert.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Complaint regarding ignition switch harness recall.*mr the primary owner had the motorcycle serviced for wiring harness per service bulletine #23815. The recall was designed to correct problems with the ignition switch harness where the ignition wires could become damaged and/or disconnected and…
Wiring harness shorted out causing a failure to continue operating. Other owners of the same model bmw motorcycle (r1100gs and r1150gs, 1995-2001) have experienced similar failures, including a recent near fatality when the electrical system and all lights failed at night. The owner was almost…
While riding at 10 mph had to make a sudden stop and brakes locked up.*ak the abs was not reset. The driver was trying to stop but both front and rear wheels locked resulting in loss of control of the vehicle. *yh
While accelerating in 3rd gear, transmission pops momentarily out of gear. Sudden loss of acceleration may be dangerious.*ak
Other BMW R1100RSL years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 7 | 1 |
| 1995 R1100RSL | 4 | 1 |
See all BMW R1100RSL problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 BMW R1100RSL?
Owners most often report power train, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 BMW R1100RSL?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 BMW R1100RSL a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other R1100RSL model years, the 1996 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.