Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW S 1000 RR, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Electrical system1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 9 2012 S 1000 RR vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 9 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls
BMW is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 S 1000 RR motorcycles manufactured September 2011, through December 2012. Due to a manufacturing fault, the side-stand attachment bolts could start to loosen. The loosening of the side-stand bolts could cause the stand to separate from the frame of the motorcycle.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S1000RR MOTORCYCLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 10, 2012. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROCESS ERROR, THE CONNECTING ROD BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE DURING HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES AND/OR HIGH ENGINE OPERATING SPEEDS WHICH COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2012 BMW S 1000 RR: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249027 | 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 discharged battery complaints. |
| 10245430 | 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. Forks with this apparent leak have been received and leak testing was performed. NO leaks could be detected. |
| 10242927 | 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 wear of the rocker arms and camshaft over time. |
| 10242536 | Vehicle goes into emergency operation mode and a warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster. |
| 10240498 | CHECK ROCKER ARMS AND REPLACE WHERE NEEDED. |
| 10215025 | Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC |
| 10215024 | The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification |
| 10204667 | 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. |
| 10201170 | When diagnosing fault codes (0x3A13D7, 0x3A13D9), technicians erroneously condemn the electronic throttle grip, which analyses show is rarely the culprit. |
| 10200263 | 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. |
| 10200256 | 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 |
| 10194318 | Warning light in the instrument cluster for DCC failure in motorcycles equipped with DCC |
| 10194316 | The complaint of leaking telescopic forks is the top warranty claim in many current models, |
| 10193517 | Occassionally the bank angle display is no longer visible in the instrument cluster after enging start. |
| 10188992 | 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. |
| 10188982 | Inner trim frame cracked. |
| 10188979 | 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). |
| 10188977 | Battery connection terminal broken off |
| 10188972 | 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) |
| 10188959 | Lurching at partial load range and Idle speed is unstable |
| 10181239 | 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?. |
| 10150156 | BMW Motorrad has ascertained that chafing of the wiring harness can occur on S 1000 RR and HP4 models. The fault symptoms differ, depending on which part of the wiring is damaged. |
| 10150152 | New vehicles are being delivered to the dealer with different side stands. |
| 10149482 | Lurching at partial load / idle sped |
| 10149274 | Customer complains about an operating failure on the left or right multifunction switch. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)