Total Complaints
2 filings
BMW R100RT · model year
1988 BMW R100RT
2 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988BMWR100RT carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 R100RT is steering: steering wheel/handle bar with 1 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 1988 R100RT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
2
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
19990915CrashSTEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
AFTER COMING OUT OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE MOTORCYCLE SHIFTED THEIR WEIGHT BY SITTING UP STRAIGHT, THEN THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND RAN INTO A FENCE. THE SHIFT IN WEIGHT CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO LIFT UP, AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
19990915CrashSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
AFTER COMING OUT OF A CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE MOTORCYCLE SHIFTED THEIR WEIGHT BY SITTING UP STRAIGHT, THEN THE DRIVER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER AND RAN INTO A FENCE. THE SHIFT IN WEIGHT CAUSED THE FRONT WHEEL TO LIFT UP, AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
Compare 1988BMWR100RT to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1988 BMW R100RT have?▼
The 1988 BMW R100RT has 2 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 BMW R100RT?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 BMW R100RT is STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 1988 BMW R100RT safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.