2020 BMW S 1000 Xr 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. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
What could happen: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact B…
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 2020 S 1000 XR.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V476000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- 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:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Consequence: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
What could happen: Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 2020 S 1000 XR.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 23V051000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- 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:SOFTWARE
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
Consequence: Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2020 BMW S 1000 Xr owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (1), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
06/23/2023 · Unknown Or Other
On multiple occasions the motorcycle engine has stopped/stalled as I approached a stop sign or traffic light and pulled in the clutch. In the most recent incident I was exiting a highway after several hours of riding, including multiple stops and starts and a range of speeds and weather conditions. I decelerated using engine braking from 6th to 1st gear,…
02/20/2021 · Brakes
BMW ISSUED A STOP SALE RECALL FOR MY S1000XR AS WELL AS THE S1000RR SO THEY COULD REPLACE THE BRAKE CALIPERS. WHEN NEW, BOTH OF THESE BIKES CAME WITH THE SAME BRAKE CALIPERS. BMW IS REPLACING THE S1000XR BRAKES WITH A MUCH LOWER QUALITY BRAKE THAN THEY ARE REPLACING ON THE S10000RR. AS THEY BOTH CAME WITH THE SAME HIGH QUALITY BRAKES WHEN SOLD NEW, THEY SHO…