2020 BMW S 1000 RR Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 23, 2026 · 10 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other S 1000 RR years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 17 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR. That is the most of any S 1000 RR model year in the database (17 years). The most reported problem area is engine (4 complaints, 40%), typically at around 225 miles. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

BMW S 1000 RR
Supersport Motorrad BMW S1000RR, im Studio mit einem Striplight (von oben), einem Akzenttubus (auf das Vorderrad) und einer Lightbar (Mittebereich) ausgeleuchte. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Stefan Krause, Germany, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2020 BMW S 1000 RR problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine4 · ~225 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~650 mi
Structure1 · ~5,304 mi
Vehicle Speed Control1 · ~800 mi
Wheels1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine440%225——
Service Brakes330%650——
Structure110%5,304——
Vehicle Speed Control110%800——
Wheels110%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 3 complaints
2019: 2201922020: 3202032021: 3202132025: 220252

n = 10 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 BMW S 1000 RR recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignitionJul 23, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V478000 · 16,736 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 S 1000 RR US, and 2020-2026 S 1000 RR motorcycles. The vibration of the motorcycle may cause an internal component of the ignition lock to fail, which can cause the instrument display, rear lighting, and other systems such as ABS to fail, or cause an engine stall while riding.

Risk: An engine stall or failure of electrical systems such as the instrument display or ABS, increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 14, 2026.

Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperAug 13, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V476000 · 9,392 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."

Risk: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Exterior lighting:brake lightsMar 12, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V146000 · 4,026 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

EngineOct 2, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V697000 · 416 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 S 1000 RR motorcycles. The oil cooler hoses may not be attached properly to the oil pipes, possibly resulting in an oil leak.

Risk: Leaking oil may drip in the path of the rear tire, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler assembly, including the hoses, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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.

The coil packs of the 2020 model have gotten a reputation for going out with no warning. It often happens well driving. In my case, two went bad and I had to limp home. Riding like this can further damage the engine. In some cases this happens to people when they are far away from any place and can…

Engine · received Mar 18, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11649099

Carbon fiber rims developed bubble with minor air leakage...about ~2psi per day. First noticed this deformity around ~Nov 2024 If there is a micro crack developed along the valve stem on a carbon fiber rim, then the wheel forces can cause the crack to grow and sudden loss of pressure, resulting in…

Wheels · received Jan 18, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11636829

After the brake recall, and new brake calipers and pads were installed, I began to notice significant vibrations of the front end during medium braking. During mild to medium braking going down hill, the front end would seem to bounce.

Service Brakes · received Oct 7, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11435862

Leaking coolant from weep hole after every ride, telltale sign water/oil pump is bad. Yes it’s available. Coolant and oil are very slick. I could fall and die if my rear tire decides to slip under the liquids. Yes the dealer and bmw confirmed it was leaking from the weep hole but placed blame on…

Engine · received Jun 11, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11420581

Front brake calipers leaking during vehicle rest periods since or before 20th august 2020. A large amount of brake reservoir has been consumed before noticing. This is a known condition as advised by the manufacturer as yet no fix has been implemented on this vehicle. Vehicle is currently stored at…

Service Brakes · received May 10, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11415766

Other BMW S 1000 RR years

← 2018 S 1000 RR · 2021 S 1000 RR →

See all BMW S 1000 RR problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR?

Owners most often report engine, service brakes, structure problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S 1000 RR model years, the 2020 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.