1988 BMW R100rt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. FRONT BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE MAY CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST FUEL TANK OR SPEEDOMETER CABLE RESULTING IN SCUFFING AND SUBSEQUENT WEARING ON BRAKE LINES OUTER SURFACE WHICH COULD CAUSE A HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK DUE TO THE DAMAGED LINES IMPAIRS BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
What could happen:
The fix: A SPIRAL HOSE TO PROTECT THE BRAKE LINE FROM CONTACT WILL BE INSTALLED, AS WELL AS A HOSE CLAMP AND SUPPORT, SO BRAKE LINE WILL NOT CHANGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 R100RT.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V107000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: FRONT BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE MAY CONTACT AND RUB AGAINST FUEL TANK OR SPEEDOMETER CABLE RESULTING IN SCUFFING AND SUBSEQUENT WEARING ON BRAKE LINES OUTER SURFACE WHICH COULD CAUSE A HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAK DUE TO THE DAMAGED LINES IMPAIRS BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence:
Remedy: A SPIRAL HOSE TO PROTECT THE BRAKE LINE FROM CONTACT WILL BE INSTALLED, AS WELL AS A HOSE CLAMP AND SUPPORT, SO BRAKE LINE WILL NOT CHANGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKE LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LARGE MOTORCYCLES.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (1), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
09/15/1999 · Steering · crash
AFTER COMING OUT OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE MOTORCYCLE SHIFTED THEIR WEIGHT BY SITTING UP STRAIGHT, THEN THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND RAN INTO A FENCE. THE SHIFT IN WEIGHT CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO LIFT UP, AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.