NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 BMW R1100 RT Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1997 BMW R1100 RT right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 3 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 BMW R1100 RT.

1997 BMW R1100 RT owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW R1100 RT, describing incidents dated December 2, 1999 to November 20, 2010.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10376685 · Filed January 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE…
ODI #10201908 · Filed September 5, 2007
I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I…
ODI #740881 · Filed February 14, 2001
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSES DANGEROUS SURGING OF SPEED WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. UNANTICIPATED CHANGES IN SPEED CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Read all 3 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1997 BMW R1100 RT right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 BMW R1100 RT. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 BMW R1100 RT.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10376685

Incident: November 20, 2010 · Filed: January 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW R1100 RT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND HE NOTICED A LEAK OF UNKNOWN FLUIDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VUE PORT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A REDESIGNED VUE PORT OF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

Power Train

ODI #10201908

Incident: June 16, 2006 · Filed: September 5, 2007

I HAVE HAD 2 FAILURES OF THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING ON MY 1997 BMW R100RT. FIRST WAS AT 36K MILES,BEARING FAILED AND POURED OIL ALL OVER REAR WHEEL WHEN SEAL DESTRUCTED BECAUSE PIECES OF THE BEARING ATE IT UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH 80W90 GEAR OIL,ALSO WHEEL WAS WOBBLY. I HAD A SECOND FAILURE AT 60K MILES. O WAS RIDING THE BIKE AND FELT A VIBRATION. I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A FLAT TIRE,SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. I COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG SO I KEPT RIDING. THE VIBRAATION KEPT GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NO LONGER RIDE THE BIKE,FEARING FOR MY SAFETY.I CALLED FOR A TOW,BROUGHT THE BIKE HOME WHERE I FOUND THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING FAILED,BUT DIDN`T HARM THE SEAL YRT. BOTH TIMES I REPLACED THE FINAL DRIVE BEARING AND OIL SEAL.IF I WAS A LESS EXPERIENCED RIDER,I FEEL THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH WITH SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB UPDATED

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #740881

Incident: December 2, 1999 · Filed: February 14, 2001

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSES DANGEROUS SURGING OF SPEED WHILE RIDING MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM RELATED TO THIS MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. UNANTICIPATED CHANGES IN SPEED CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Check your 1997 BMW R1100 RT VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW R1100 RT at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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