Close to 80,000 BMW S1000 RR bikes could be recalled over faulty ignition lock

BMW North America is recalling over 16,000 S1000 RR machines that were produced between 2020 and 2026, while a total of 77,000 models could be affected worldwide, according to reports.

The recall has been issued due to a potential fault with the ignition locking system, which could lead to the engine stalling. It could also cause the instrument display or the bike’s ABS to fail, therefore increasing the risk of a crash.

In the US, the recall has been initiated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is responsible for all recalls. A statement said:

“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.”

A remedy is currently under development, according to the NHTSA, although S1000 RR owners are only expected to be made aware of the issue by post, in mid-September. 

The NHTSA adds: 

“The remedy is currently under development. Letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed September 14, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available.”

Although it's not yet been confirmed how many models might be affected in the UK, reports in Germany say that around 7,000 S1000 RR machines are affected by the same problem. That’s less than half of the amount in the US, which has been reported to be 16,736, exactly. According to German outlet Motorrad, BMW produced around 77,000 units of the second generation S1000 RR between January 2019 and July 2026, which is why the number of affected units could be extremely high. 

Despite the potential faults, there have been no reported accidents so far, and hopefully that remains the case.

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