1999 BMW R1100 S recalls & complaints

1. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE LEADING FROM THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR CAN CHAFE AGAINST THE RIGID LINES OF THE FUEL FEED AND THE RETURN LINES. CONTINUED CHAFING OF THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE CAN LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE.

What could happen: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE ON AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE FLEXIBLE HOSE WITH ONE WITH A BRAIDED COVER TO PREVENT CHAFING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 R1100 S.
2. Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V272000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-831-1117.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH-MOUNTED HANDLEBARS. THE HIGH-MOUNTED HANDLEBARS ARE POSITION ON TOP OF THE UPPER FORK CLAMP AND ARE CLAMPED TO THE TOP OF EACH UPPER FORK TUBE. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A HANDLEBAR TO ROTATE FORWARD.

What could happen: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE RIDING, THE RIDER'S BALANCE COULD BE UPSET AND A CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.

The fix: DEALERS WILL DEGREASE THE CLAMPING CONNECTION PARTS, REWORK THE POSITIONING TAB (IF NECESSARY) TO FIT PROPERLY IN THE CORRESPONDING GAP IN THE UPPER FORK CLAMP, AND RESET THE TORQUE OF THE CLAMPING CONNECTIONS.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 R1100 S.
2. Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V318000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO USE OF AN INCORRECT THREAD-LOCKING MATERIAL IN PRODUCTION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE REAR BRAKE LINKAGE BALL END, WHICH IS SCREWED INTO THE REAR BRAKE LEVER, TO LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THE LEVER.

What could happen: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE REAR BRAKE COULD NO LONGER BE APPLIED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE BRAKE LINKAGE BALL END FROM THE BRAKE LEVER AND REINSTALL IT WITH A DIFFERENT THREAD-LOCKING COMPOUND, TO PREVENT THE BALL END FROM LOOSENING.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 R1100 S.
2. Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V144000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING THE STARTING PROCESS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR EITHER THROTTLE BODY TO LOOSEN IN ITS MOUNT, OR TO DISCONNECT FROM ITS MOUNT. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE FUEL LINE COULD BE DAMAGED OR THE LINE AND INJECTOR COULD SEPARATE FROM EACH OTHER, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.

What could happen: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION UNIT. IN ADDITION, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE AIR INLET TUBE WILL BE SECURED WITH TWO SCREWS TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE HOSE OR INJECTOR SHOULD A BACKFIRE OCCUR.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 R1100 S.
2. Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V294000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (3), Steering (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.