The BMW S 1000 XR spans 2016–2026 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2021, 2020, 2026 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2016, 2017, 2018. It delivers up to 31 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW S 1000 XR is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2016 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW S 1000 XR VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW S 1000 XR carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this S 1000 XR.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your S 1000 XR, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW S 1000 XR have?
The BMW S 1000 XR has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2023 BMW S 1000 XR recalls 2
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
Risk. Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train:clutch Assembly
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 S1000RR, M1000RR, and 2022-2023 S1000XR and S1000R motorcycles. The clutch cover bolts were not lubricated properly, which may cause the clutch cover to become loose and leak oil.
Risk. An oil leak occurring at the clutch cover increases the risk of a crash or fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace all 10 clutch cover bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2022 BMW S 1000 XR recalls 2
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
Risk. Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train:clutch Assembly
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 S1000RR, M1000RR, and 2022-2023 S1000XR and S1000R motorcycles. The clutch cover bolts were not lubricated properly, which may cause the clutch cover to become loose and leak oil.
Risk. An oil leak occurring at the clutch cover increases the risk of a crash or fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace all 10 clutch cover bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2021 BMW S 1000 XR recalls 1
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
Risk. Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2020 BMW S 1000 XR recalls 2
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
Risk. Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Best and worst years for the BMW S 1000 XR
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 11 tracked years, the worst years are 2021, 2020, 2026 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2016, 2017, 2018.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 S 1000 XR | — | Best | |
| 2017 S 1000 XR | — | Best | |
| 2018 S 1000 XR | — | Best | |
| 2019 S 1000 XR | — | Average | |
| 2020 S 1000 XR | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2021 S 1000 XR | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2022 S 1000 XR | — | Average | |
| 2023 S 1000 XR | — | Average | |
| 2024 S 1000 XR | — | Average | |
| 2025 S 1000 XR | — | Average | |
| 2026 S 1000 XR | — | Avoid |
What are the most common BMW S 1000 XR problems?
The most-reported BMW S 1000 XR problems are Structure (2 reports), Service Brakes (1 reports) — out of 4 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW S 1000 XR specifications & dimensions
The 2026 BMW S 1000 XR. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW S 1000 XR window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW S 1000 XR cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the S 1000 XR holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 91 cu ft of passenger volume and 12 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW S 1000 XR tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW S 1000 XR get?
The BMW S 1000 XR returns up to 31 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 BMW S 1000 XR (2L 4-cyl) gets 31 mpg combined and costs about $2,500/yr to fuel, emitting 279 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10) — about $1,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 S 1000 XR | 27 | 39 | $2,500 | 279 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 S 1000 XR | 26 | 38 | $2,550 | 288 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 S 1000 XR | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 315 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 S 1000 XR | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 315 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 S 1000 XR | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 314 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 S 1000 XR | 24 | 33 | $2,750 | 319 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 S 1000 XR | 23 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 S 1000 XR | 23 | 33 | $2,850 | 333 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 S 1000 XR | 24 | 34 | $2,850 | 324 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 S 1000 XR | 23 | 34 | $2,850 | 324 | 9/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 S 1000 XR | 23 | 35 | $2,850 | 330 | 8/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the S 1000 XR stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this S 1000 XR's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW S 1000 XR have? Power & range
The BMW S 1000 XR is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW S 1000 XR cost to own?
A BMW S 1000 XR tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used S 1000 XR is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this S 1000 XR loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the S 1000 XR ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the BMW S 1000 XR safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the S 1000 XR yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a BMW S 1000 XR last?
A well-maintained BMW S 1000 XR typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your BMW S 1000 XR’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this S 1000 XR’s VIN free →All BMW S 1000 XR model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW S 1000 XR — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 S 1000 XR | 0 | — | |
| 2025 S 1000 XR | 0 | — | |
| 2024 S 1000 XR | 0 | — | |
| 2023 S 1000 XR | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2022 S 1000 XR | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2021 S 1000 XR | 1 recall | — | |
| 2020 S 1000 XR | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2019 S 1000 XR | 0 | — | |
| 2018 S 1000 XR | 0 | — | |
| 2017 S 1000 XR | 0 | — | |
| 2016 S 1000 XR | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the S 1000 XR?
By owner-complaint volume, 2021, 2020, 2026 drew the most reports. 2016, 2017, 2018 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the S 1000 XR have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the S 1000 XR get?
Up to 31 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a S 1000 XR last?
A well-maintained S 1000 XR typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the S 1000 XR reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the S 1000 XR is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW S 1000 XR warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW S 1000 XR made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your S 1000 XR's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the S 1000 XR have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.