1994 BMW R1100 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE POSITIVE TERMINAL EXTENSION AT AN ANGLE WHICH MAY CAUSE CONTACT BETWEEN THE CONNECTOR AND THE BATTERY SUPPORT CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
What could happen: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT EXISTS, ELECTRICAL CURRENT CAN BECONDUCTED FROM THE BATTERY SUPPORT, THROUGH THE FRONT BRAKE LINES TO THE FRAME.ON MOTORCYCLES WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES (ABS) THIS MAY 1) CAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID TOINCREASE IN TEMPERATURE WHICH COULD IMPAIR FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE; AND 2)MELT A HOLE…
The fix: REMOVE THE POSITIVE TERMINAL EXTENSION AND ATTACH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY TERMINAL WITH A BOLT.
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 1994 R1100.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 93V134000.
- 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: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Summary: THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE POSITIVE TERMINAL EXTENSION AT AN ANGLE WHICH MAY CAUSE CONTACT BETWEEN THE CONNECTOR AND THE BATTERY SUPPORT CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT EXISTS, ELECTRICAL CURRENT CAN BECONDUCTED FROM THE BATTERY SUPPORT, THROUGH THE FRONT BRAKE LINES TO THE FRAME.ON MOTORCYCLES WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES (ABS) THIS MAY 1) CAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID TOINCREASE IN TEMPERATURE WHICH COULD IMPAIR FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE; AND 2)MELT A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK CAUSING A LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. ONMOTORCYCLES WITHOUT ABS, DAMAGE TO THE CIRCUITRY IN THE ELECTRONIC ENGINECONTROL UNIT MAY OCCUR, CAUSING AN IRREGULAR-RUNNING ENGINE.
Remedy: REMOVE THE POSITIVE TERMINAL EXTENSION AND ATTACH THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY TERMINAL WITH A BOLT.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; BATTERY.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLE.NOTE: IF YOUR MOTORCYCLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREEDSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME WITHOUTCHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT BMW CUSTOMERRELATIONS AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFICADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. CERTAIN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAN LOOSEN WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS RIDDEN HARD IN ROUGH OFF-ROAD CONDITIONS. THE RIGHT-HAND BEARING PIN IN THE REAR SWINGING ARM AND ALSO THE LOWER FLANGE NUT ON THE FRONT STRUT CAN BOTH LOOSEN.
What could happen: THIS CAN RESULT IN REDUCTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE BEARING PIN, APPLY A STRONGER ADHESIVE AND REASSEMBLE WITH AN INCREASED TORQUE SPECIFICATION. THE FLANGE NUT ON THE FRONT STRUT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SELF-TIGHTENING NUT.
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 1994 R1100.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V119000.
- 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: SUSPENSION:FRONT
Summary: CERTAIN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAN LOOSEN WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS RIDDEN HARD IN ROUGH OFF-ROAD CONDITIONS. THE RIGHT-HAND BEARING PIN IN THE REAR SWINGING ARM AND ALSO THE LOWER FLANGE NUT ON THE FRONT STRUT CAN BOTH LOOSEN.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN REDUCTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE BEARING PIN, APPLY A STRONGER ADHESIVE AND REASSEMBLE WITH AN INCREASED TORQUE SPECIFICATION. THE FLANGE NUT ON THE FRONT STRUT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SELF-TIGHTENING NUT.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; MOTORCYCLE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT BMW SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1994 BMW R1100 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (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)
01/30/1995 · Electrical system
BATTERY DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH AMPS DISPLAYS FALSE READING ON ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. TT