BMW R 18 Complaints

9 consumer complaints on file.

#11694777October 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A fire started near the reverse mechanism and battery when it was started.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580654April 2, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2022 BMW R 18. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V884000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578707March 21, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I bought a 2022 BMW R18B motorcycle in 2023. There are 3 models of this motorcycle. R18 is plain without a fairing or smart controls. The R18 Transcontinental is top of line with fairing computer, navigation, phone pairing. The R18B which is my motorcycle is basically the same as Transcontinental except it does not have top case and rack for mounting top case. Here is the safety problem with the R18B. The Transcontinental has running and brake light built into top case. Directional signals are mounted on saddlebags. they also do braking. but on the R18B which has no top case there isn't a rear fender mounted running and brake light. Only a license plate light and small reflector. brake and turn are only on bottom of saddlebags. this arrangement results in inadequate brake warning for vehicle traffic behind motorcycle. BMW should supply the R18B with a sizeable fender mounted running and brake light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548809October 7, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Adaptive headlight does not work and the low beam reflector is completely loose. With the reflector loose the headlight will occasionally blind oncoming traffic, point to the sky or side of the road. It is unsafe to ride unless riding with high beams, which is not safe for oncoming traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548286October 4, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While on a multi-state trip I noticed that two pieces of the headlight have come loose inside the lens distorting the beam. On September 19, 2023 I took the bike in for a warranty claim and it was approved. Now two weeks later the dealer is still unable to give me a time frame for replacement due to the number of theses that have failed. I cannot ride the bike for fear of it going out entirely for safety as well as a law violation. I definitely cannot ride it at night for obvious reasons. The bike has 7000 miles now with most of a 3 year/36000 mile warranty remaining.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541825August 31, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The BMW R18 B motorcycle is equipped with an adaptive headlight, which directs the headlight beam in the direction of the motorcycle's lean angle and handlebar rotation; however, the headlight has failed, where the reflective mirror pieces have fallen apart. The loose reflective pieces creates a dazzling effect in the direction of the light beam; this appears to be a high failure item on the R18 B and Transcontinental models, equipped with the adaptive headlight. I dropped my motorcycle off for service in order to have the headlight failure repaired under warranty in May, where the BMW service center just notified me 4 months later that the headlight has arrived from Germany and is ready to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540681August 25, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The adaptive headlight assembly had a sudden and unexpected catastrophic internal failure leading to complete loss of low beam headlight. BMW R18 Transcontinental. An appointment has been made with local BMW motorcycle dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540406August 23, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Pieces of headlight reflector are breaking off inside the headlight housing. This causes the beam of light to completely miss the road. Also the adaptive function of headlight will stick to one side periodically meaning all light is pointing left or right of the roadway when going straight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538795August 15, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Motorcycle is equipped with an Adaptive headlight. The main reflector that is a part of the moving adaptive headlight has broken off inside the headlight assembly and is obstructing the headlight beam pattern. It also does not allow the headlight to aim properly. The broken reflector is not permitting the adaptive headlight to function as intended and has the moving part wedged out of alignment. Headlight still illuminates however it is pointed off to one side and is not aimed high enough to provide adequate road illumination. I contacted the dealer Tuesday August 15th, 2023 and the soonest they can get the vehicle in for inspection is September 7th, 2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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