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2012 BMW S1000 Rr
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
6 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 20, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 6 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 BMW S1000 Rr, plotted where owners report it happening.
Fuel system
50%3 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW S 1000 RR US. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STOPPED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRESENT. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF…”
Engine
50%3 complaints
“ENGINE SEIZED AFTER AN ACCELERATION EVENT ON THE FREEWAY. *TR”
Electrical system
17%1 complaints
“THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR READING INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED FAULT CODE IN BIKE WHICH THEN CAUSED BIKE TO SHUT OFF POWER. TOOK BIKE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALER UNP…”
Speed control
17%1 complaints
“THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR READING INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED FAULT CODE IN BIKE WHICH THEN CAUSED BIKE TO SHUT OFF POWER. TOOK BIKE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. DEALER UNP…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Structure · 12V585000
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.
Risk: A separation of the side-stand could cause the motorcycle to fall, causing a risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will clean the sidestand mounting plate threads and replace the side-stand mounting plate bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 12V177000
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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF ENGINE DAMAGE, ESCAPING OIL COULD CAUSE HANDLING ISSUES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTING ROD BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this BMW before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW S1000 Rr. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 BMW S1000 RR beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every S1000 Rr model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 BMW S1000 Rr against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.