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BMW · vehicle model

BMW R 18 CLASSIC

3 NHTSA complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2021–2021.

Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Model years
1

The BMWR 18 CLASSIC appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 3 consumer safety complaints and 0 recall campaigns across 1 model year (2021–2021). That averages roughly 3 complaints per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year.

NHTSA has 34 investigation files tied to this model. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
20213

Compare BMWR 18 CLASSIC to Similar Vehicles

BMWR 18 CLASSIC vs VOLVOGL → BMWR 18 CLASSIC vs VOLVO900 → BMWR 18 CLASSIC vs VOLVO600 SERIES → BMWR 18 CLASSIC vs VOLVOWXLL →

NHTSA Investigations

PE20002Preliminary EvaluationClosed2020-04-01

Brake fluid leak at front brake caliper

EA19003Engineering AnalysisClosed2019-10-11

Steering Oscillation

PE19002Preliminary EvaluationClosed2019-03-25

Steering Oscillation

RQ18001Recall QueryClosed2018-04-18

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

AQ15004Audit QueryClosed2015-09-24

BMW Safety Act Violations

PE13030Preliminary EvaluationClosed2013-09-06

Loss of power assist braking

EA13006Engineering AnalysisClosed2013-07-12

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

EA12002Engineering AnalysisClosed2012-04-10

Vehicle Rollaway

DP12001Defect PetitionClosed2012-01-20

M/C final drive ball bearing failure

PE11025Preliminary EvaluationClosed2011-08-05

Vehicle Rollaway

View all 34 investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the BMW R 18 CLASSIC?▼
The BMW R 18 CLASSIC has received 3 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 2021 to 2021, with 0 recalls. That averages about 3 complaints per model year.
What years of BMW R 18 CLASSIC are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the BMW R 18 CLASSIC from 2021 to 2021 (1 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the BMW R 18 CLASSIC have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many BMW R 18 CLASSIC model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common BMW R 18 CLASSIC complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the BMW R 18 CLASSIC are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my BMW R 18 CLASSIC has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. BMW R 18 CLASSIC totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.