Model year record

2020 BMW S 1000 RR recalls & problems

The 2020 BMW S 1000 RR has 4 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (4 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints10filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 23, 2026

Ignition

Recall 26V47800016,736 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 S 1000 RR US, and 2020-2026 S 1000 RR motorcycles. The vibration of the motorcycle may cause an internal component of the ignition lock to fail, which can cause the instrument display, rear lighting, and other systems such as ABS to fail, or cause an engine stall while riding.
Risk: An engine stall or failure of electrical systems such as the instrument display or ABS, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 14, 2026.

Service brakesAug 13, 2020

Service brakes

Recall 20V4760009,392 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
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 BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Exterior lightingMar 12, 2020

Brake lights

Recall 20V1460004,026 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

EngineOct 2, 2019

Engine

Recall 19V697000416 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 S 1000 RR motorcycles. The oil cooler hoses may not be attached properly to the oil pipes, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
Risk: Leaking oil may drip in the path of the rear tire, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler assembly, including the hoses, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Engine	4	—
Service brakes	3	—
Vehicle speed control	1	—
StructureBody	1	—
Wheels	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
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…
Jan 18, 2025
Wheels
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
Nov 22, 2024
Service 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.
Sep 28, 2021
Engine
Leaking coolant from weep hole after every ride, telltale sign water/oil pump is bad. Yes itâs 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.
Jun 1, 2021
Service 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.
Aug 29, 2020
Engine
OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE AFTER ONLY 400MILES, I NOTICED THE LEAK BECAUSE IT STAINED THE FLOOR WHERE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS PARKED.
Sep 20, 2020 · 400 miles
Engine
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
May 1, 2020 · 50 miles
Service brakes
BOTH OF MY FRONT CALIPERS LEAK BRAKE FLUID, ENOUGH TO LEAVE PUDDLES ON THE GROUND. THIS WAS NOTICED AFTER THE BIKE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AS OF THIS NOTE THE BIKE IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH AN UNKNOWN ETA ON PARTS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT BMW IS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, I CAN FIND SEVERAL PEOPLE ONLINE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. HAVING THE FRONT BRAKES FAIL ON THIS MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC.
Jan 18, 2020 · 650 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.