1996 BMW R1100RSL Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
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 FAILIN...
Mileage: 29,000
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 W...
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 W...
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 KIL...
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
TRANSMISSION KEPT POPPING OUT OF GEAR, SOMETIMES AT VERY INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS. TOLD IT MAY CONTINUE TO DO THIS EVEN AFTER DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM. *AK
THE PROBLEM IS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER TRANMISSION IN 3RD GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION, NOT A SAFE CONDITION IN TRAFFIC. *AK