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BMW R SeriesYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on record for the BMW R Series.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints26Top: WheelsSafety recalls21985–2007 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

BMW R Series years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the R Series median. Tap a year for its full report.

'85'86'87'88'89'94'95'96'00'01'02'04'05'07
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2007Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2005Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall2002Not rated–/1008 complaints · 1 recall2001Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2000Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1996Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1989Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1988Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1987Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common BMW R Series problems

All model years combined: 26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Wheels80
Power train60
Fuel system, gasoline50
Fuel/propulsion system20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Engine and engine cooling10
Exterior lighting10
Structure10
Tires10
1 other systems10
2 recalls

BMW R Series recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings04V-028 · 2000–2004 · Jan 15, 2004 · 39,000 vehicles–Brake lights: switch88V-192 · 1985–1989 · Dec 13, 1988 · 6,212 vehicles
6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the R Series

  1. Fuel Leak - MotorycleEA13006 · 2005–2007 · closed Jan 31, 2014
    Led to recall 13V-617
  2. Fuel Leak - MotorcyclePE12036 · 2005–2007 · closed Jul 22, 2013
    No recall
  3. MOTORCYCLE FIRESPE07031 · 2000–2007 · closed Oct 23, 2007
    No recall
  4. FUEL LINE LEAKAGEPE03054 · 2000–2004 · closed Jan 23, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-028
  5. REAR BRAKE LIGHTSEA88037 · 1985–1988 · closed Mar 9, 1989
    Led to recall 88V-192
  6. BRAKE LIGHT FAILUREPE88057 · 1981–1988 · closed Jul 22, 1988
    No recall