Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR peaked in 2021, with 3 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model yearRemedy pending
2020 BMW S 1000 RR
Motorcycle, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Jun 17, 2020 to Mar 18, 2025.
Recall campaigns covering this model year226k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints73.5 times the median 2020 motorcycle
Severity index0.02020 motorcycles average 7.1
First 24 months4Complaints in its first two years
Components
57% of complaints about the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR name engine and cooling
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
2 recall campaigns cover the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-478 | Jul 23, 2026 | Vibration of the motorcycle may cause an internal component of the ignition lock to fail, which can cause the instrument display, rear lighting,… | Electrical system | 16,736 | Remedy pending |
| 20V-476 | Aug 13, 2020 | Front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked | Brakes | 9,392 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2020 BMW S 1000 RR
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
7 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Mar 18, 2025Failure Jan 18, 2025Springfield, MOEngine
The coil packs of the 2020 model have gotten a reputation for going out with no warning. It often happens well driving. In my case, two went bad and I had to limp home. Riding like this can further damage the engine. In some cases this happens to people when they are far away from any place and can end up stranded. A quick Google search of this model in year and coil packs will yield thousands of forum posts stating the problem and questions of why BMW has not done more to fix this. They have since changed the coil pack and the ones they put on that biker no longer available. The replacement sell from BMW for $200 each. If you don't replace all four, then you're just biting time till the next one goes out. This issue often happens and bikes with less than 10,000 miles. Mine for example has 9500. Since I live in a part of the country that has winter, I cannot ride the bike year around and my bike is out of warranty even though it has under 10,000 miles on it. I have yet to get it to a dealer because the closest one is 3 hours away and I do not have a trailer. The bike cannot be ridden. I will manage to get it there however I cannot get the dealership to call me back regarding this matter. I have enlisted the help of BMW which is reluctant to say they can do anything but we'll absolutely do nothing until I get it to the dealer for them to verify the problem. I'm not a novice mechanic when it comes to motorcycles. I determined that the one and two cylinders are both dead. The dealer will charge the price for the coil packs plus a slightly unreasonable service charge. The end result will be more than a couple thousand dollars for me to get the bike there and pay for the bill. And that is conservative. It is an acknowledged problem among writers and semi acknowledged by the manufacturer. Not sure where this goes from here.
NHTSA complaint 11649099 - Filed Jan 18, 2025Failure Nov 22, 2024Gulf Breeze, FLWheels
Carbon fiber rims developed bubble with minor air leakage...about ~2psi per day. First noticed this deformity around ~Nov 2024 If there is a micro crack developed along the valve stem on a carbon fiber rim, then the wheel forces can cause the crack to grow and sudden loss of pressure, resulting in severe injury. Brought the motorcycle to a BMW dealership. BMW Motorrad says it is out of warranty and not a safety issue. Warning lamps only came on when tire is low on air. Online research indicates that this is/was a problem with 2020 K67 chassis equipped with Carbon Fiber rims
NHTSA complaint 11636829 - Filed Oct 7, 2021Failure Sep 28, 2021Stanhope, NJService brakes
After the brake recall, and new brake calipers and pads were installed, I began to notice significant vibrations of the front end during medium braking. During mild to medium braking going down hill, the front end would seem to bounce.
NHTSA complaint 11435862 - Filed Jun 11, 2021Failure Jun 1, 2021Mentor, OHEngine
Leaking coolant from weep hole after every ride, telltale sign water/oil pump is bad. Yes it’s available. Coolant and oil are very slick. I could fall and die if my rear tire decides to slip under the liquids. Yes the dealer and bmw confirmed it was leaking from the weep hole but placed blame on the aftermarket headers. No the water/oil pump has not been inspected by bmw and dealer. No warning lamps.
NHTSA complaint 11420581 - Filed May 10, 2021Failure Aug 29, 2020Somerville, MAService brakes
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS LEAKING DURING VEHICLE REST PERIODS SINCE OR BEFORE 20TH AUGUST 2020. A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE RESERVOIR HAS BEEN CONSUMED BEFORE NOTICING. THIS IS A KNOWN CONDITION AS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS YET NO FIX HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED ON THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STORED AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint 11415766 - Filed Oct 2, 2020Failure Sep 20, 2020400 milesMiami, FLEngine
OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE AFTER ONLY 400MILES, I NOTICED THE LEAK BECAUSE IT STAINED THE FLOOR WHERE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED.
NHTSA complaint 11362481 - Filed Jun 17, 2020Failure May 1, 202050 milesHudson, NHEngine
OIL LEAKING FROM LOWER ENGINE TO CONNECTING OIL COOLER LINE. OIL SEEMS LIKE COMING FROM DRAIN PLUG. MORE NOTICEABLE AFTER MOTORCYCLE OPERATION, POTENTIALLY BE LEAKING WHILE RIDING. *TR
NHTSA complaint 11329374
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
25 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âdisc… - MC310123 Nov 2, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
On the above listed vehicles, lubricant residue can be found on the fork cap on the right side telescoping fork. Vehicles with caps 31 42 1 754 557 and 31 42 1 757 701 can show this residue. These are not leaks at the cap, but assembly grease residue. Fork… - MC340223 Sep 7, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Front and rear wheel speed sensor faults (0x3A1800 and 0x3A1801) appear after the bike is being revvedover 5000 RPM while still on the side stand, sometimes in conjunction with the side stand fault 0X3A1331. When the engine is revved up while on the side s… - MC110322 Sep 14, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
During the production of the intake camshaft there was a change in the coolant used to prevent localized overheating of parts of the camshaft. Because of this, certain parts of the camshaft may have a changed surface hardness that can result in increased … - MC160323 Aug 14, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster. - SIB-111421 Jun 5, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
CHECK ROCKER ARMS AND REPLACE WHERE NEEDED. - SIB110122 Aug 5, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
At continuous rotational speeds exceeding 10,000 rpm, the spring inside the timing chain tensioner may break. The broken pieces can migrate into the oil sump and may then reach the camshaft bearings, resulting in damage to the valve gear. - SIB610321 May 13, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BATTERY EMPTY DESPITE CHARGER. - SIB170122 Apr 13, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The defect code has been updated - MC170122 Feb 9, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Installation of the accessory oil cooler guard from the BMW Motorrad Special Accessories Catalog may result in chafe marks on the cooler. - MC000521 Sep 20, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
One of the following situations can occur when connecting to BN2000 motorcycles: 1. The installed control units cannot be found when reading out with ISTA. 2. Control units initially communicate after connecting to the vehicle, but communication later stops. - MC610821 Jul 13, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit. - MC610220 Jun 14, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The engine wiring harness may chafe on the honeycomb structure of the frame. In case of damage to the wiring harness, the wake-up line of the instrument cluster will be damaged. - MC110821 Jun 4, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Warning light and fault message in the TFT with faults stored for the rear oxygen sensor (after the catalytic converter). The failure usually occurs shortly after the vehicle handover or the running-in check - MC000621 Jun 23, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW Motorrad USA is pleased to announce the launch of the BMW Motorrad Ultimate Care Program, effective June 23 , 2021. Three different plans will be offered for consumer bikes, as well as two Authority-specific plans. Model-year 2020 and newer BMW Motorcyc… - MC610621 Apr 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Warning light in the instrument cluster for DCC failure in motorcycles equipped with DCC - MC310421 Apr 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The complaint of leaking telescopic forks is the top warranty claim in many current models, - MC63250780 Mar 13, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Occassionally the bank angle display is no longer visible in the instrument cluster after enging start. - MC65505991 Feb 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
After replacement of the ABS control unit, the malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up and the DME stores the following fault memory: 0x0027ED DME: No CAN message In addition, the changeover riding mode no longer works. - MC65334783 Feb 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Inner trim frame cracked. - MC65238240 Feb 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
During a cold start or while idling in neutral after a brief standstill, the engine runs at higher revolutions, sounds irregular and as if there are misfires (i.e. as if it were only running on 3 cylinders). - MC65086508 Feb 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Battery connection terminal broken off - MC65011886 Feb 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
When the bike is propped on side stand and is revved up to > 5,000 rpm in neutral gear, the malfunction indicator lamp lights up. (see attached video for an example of this) - MC64351344 Feb 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Lurching at partial load range and Idle speed is unstable - MC610220 Sep 1, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The engine wiring harness may chafe on the honeycomb structure of the frame. In case of damage to thewiring harness, the wake-up line of the instrument cluster will be damaged. The instrument cluster will nolonger be activated with "Ignition ON?.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.