2003 Yamaha XVS65: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
13,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Lubricant | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Power Train: 2; Power Train:Driveline: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission:Lubricant: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10166182 · 2006-08-21 (August 21, 2006)
A NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,315 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275890 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
I PURCHASED A USED V-STAR MOTORCYCLE AND, AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF RIDING IT, THE PIECE THAT WAS USED TO SECURE MY PEDAL SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY. AFTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM I REALIZED THAT THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE IS WELDED AND NOT BOLTED ON. I HAD TO RIDE IT HOME IN SECOND GEAR AFTER ANOTHER BIKER HELPED ME POP IT IN GEAR. I TALKED WITH A YAMAHA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY IS UP SO THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319363 · 2010-03-12 (March 12, 2010)
YAMAHA XVS 650 DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER FAILS. COULD CAUSE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL. FACTORY DOES NOT LUBRICATE PART AT DURING ASSEMBLY AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNER TO LUBRICATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OWNERS. THIS HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT A MAJOR INCIDENT. YAMAHA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522989 · 2013-07-03 (July 3, 2013)
AS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD BACK TO MY HOTEL, MY MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO LOAD IT ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT BACK HOME TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND A GEAR IN MY FINAL DRIVE HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN. THE PART HAS MADE MY MOTORCYCLE INOPERABLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A LONG RIDE HOME, THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,052 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10910882 · 2016-09-30 (September 30, 2016)
REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR IS NOT LUBRICATED WITH GREASE DURING INITIAL ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATION OF THIS GEAR IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY. THIS OVERSIGHT CAUSES THE GEAR TO SLOWLY WEAR AWAY OVER TIME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN. IF THIS OCCURS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM TO YAMAHA, YET THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THIS DEFICIENCY OR MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. AT THE TIME WHEN MY PINION GEAR FAILED, I WAS IN MOTION AND THE SUDDEN LOSS O…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10910882 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V067000 · Seats:Motorcycle
Reported: 2005-03-03 (March 3, 2005)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD LOOSEN DUE TO THE PASSENGER'S WEIGHT SHIFTING ON THE SEAT.
Consequence: IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE BECOMES LOOSE ENOUGH TO FALL OFF, THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN FALL OFF THE REAR FENDER. A PASSENGER ON THE MOTORCYCLE COULD LOSE BALANCE AND FALL, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT'S MOUNTING HARDWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-227-5963.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V256000 · Seats:Motorcycle
Reported: 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYLES, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD BREAK IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IS OVER TIGHTENED.
Consequence: IF THE HARDWARE BREAKS, THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN FALL OFF THE REAR FENDER. THE PASSENGER COULD LOSE BALANCE AND FALL, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: OWNERS MAY ALREADY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YAMAHA DATED MARCH 3, 2005, ABOUT THIS DEFECT. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN IMPROVED REMEDY TO THE REPAIR OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL, YAMAHA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES AGAIN. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER WITH COMPONENTS OF A DIFFERENT TYPE THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO FALL OFF. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10522989 · 4,052 miAS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD BACK TO MY HOTEL, MY MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO LOAD IT ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT BACK HOME TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND A GEAR IN MY FINAL DRIVE HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN. THE PART HAS MADE MY MOTORCYCLE INOPERABLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A LONG RIDE HOME, THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR | 375.0%ODI 10508171 · 28,000 miAS MANY HAVE WITNESSED, A BEARING IN THE HOUSING OF THE FINAL DRIVE HAS BASICALLY DISAPPEARED DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW/INCORRECT BEARING USED. I LEAKED OIL, THANKFULLY, AND NOTICED BEFORE THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED UP. WHY IS THIS ITEM NOT ON RECALL?!?!?! *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10468911 · 15,430 miWHEN WE RETURNED HOME THE GEAR OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE FINAL DRIVE. IT WAS ALL OVER THE WHEEL AND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. OPENED THE DRAIN PLUG AND METAL PIECES CAME OUT. WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BALL BEARING FOR THE PINION GEAR FAILED. FORTUNATE THE BALL BEARINGS DID NOT HAVE TIME TO FALL OUT AND JAM IN THE PINION AND RING GEARS THUS CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK. THE REPLACEMENT BEARING FROM YAMAHA WAS REDESIGNED, BUT WE ARE NOT SURE THIS WILL HOLD UP? *TR | 133.3%ODI 10542402 · 6,438 miTHE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND HIT THE CURB. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE REASON THE WHEEL LOCKED UP WAS BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER USED THE WRONG BEARING ON THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR. THE BEARING WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE THRUST IN THIS TYPE OF APPLICATION. WHEN I PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT BEARING FROM THE YAMAHA DEALER, IT WAS A BEARING DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE THRUST OF THE PINION GEAR. YAMAHA … | 125.0%ODI 10331308 · 25,000 miFINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY OF YAMAHA VSTAR TAKES ON WATER WHEN RIDING IN RAIN, OIL DEGRADES AND RESULTS IN INTERIOR BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILURE. METAL SHAVINGS CAN BE FOUND INSIDE FINAL DRIVE UNIT. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF POSSIBLE BEARINGS BREAKING FREE AND RESULTING IN SPLINE LOCKUP... RENDERING A REAR TIRE LOCKUP AT ANY SPEED. METAL SHAVINGS CAUSE OIL SEALS TO FAIL RESULTING IN OIL BEING SPLATTERED ONTO REAR TIRE AND RESULTS IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT COULD RENDER THE OPERATOR WITHOUT TRACTION OF REAR TIRE ON CORNERING LEFT OR BRAKING DUE TO… |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10237442 · 6,000 miTHE TRANSMISSION OF A 2007 YAMAHA 650 ROADSTAR MOTORCYCLE LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEEL TO ALSO LOCK AND SKID, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE FLIPPED OVER ON IT'S SIDE. THE LOCK UP OCCURRED AT APPROX. 20 MPH WHILE SHIFTING DOWN FROM THIRD TO SECOND GEAR WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN. *TR | 250.0%ODI 10259882 · 1,000 miAT 750-1,000 MILES MAJOR CLUTCH SLIPPAGE WAS DETECTED. THIS PREVENTS ACCELERATION TO AVOID ACCIDENT ZONES OR RETREAT FROM ACCIDENT ZONE. AT 3,600 MILES FRONT BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETECTED. WHERE DEPRESSION OF BRAKE LEVER TOOK FOUR DEPRESSIONS TO RETURN PRESSURE. NO ACCIDENT IN EITHER CASE, HOWEVER NEAR COLLISIONS AND INTRUSION OF VEHICLES INTO ACCIDENT ZONES HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF CLUTCH FAILURE. *TR |
| Power Train:Driveline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10166182 · 15,315 miA NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 250.0%ODI 10259882 · 1,000 miAT 750-1,000 MILES MAJOR CLUTCH SLIPPAGE WAS DETECTED. THIS PREVENTS ACCELERATION TO AVOID ACCIDENT ZONES OR RETREAT FROM ACCIDENT ZONE. AT 3,600 MILES FRONT BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETECTED. WHERE DEPRESSION OF BRAKE LEVER TOOK FOUR DEPRESSIONS TO RETURN PRESSURE. NO ACCIDENT IN EITHER CASE, HOWEVER NEAR COLLISIONS AND INTRUSION OF VEHICLES INTO ACCIDENT ZONES HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF CLUTCH FAILURE. *TR |
| Wheels | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10523505 · 15,100 miI HAVE A 2005 YAMAHA VSTAR 650 SILVERADO. OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE REAR AND ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THERE IS METAL THAT HAS FLAKED OFF AND MIXED WITH THIS OIL AND IT DOESN'T LOOK WELL. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET IS SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE BIKES. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND/OR POSSIBLY DEADLY SITUATION IF THE BIKE WERE TO LOCKUP ON YOU WHILE RIDING. OIL ON TIRES AND RIDING COULD POSSIBLY END VERY BADLY. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY ADDRESSED BY OTHER RIDERS MORE THAN LIKELY YAMAHA IS WELL AWAR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10542402 · 6,438 miTHE REAR WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I LOST CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND HIT THE CURB. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE REASON THE WHEEL LOCKED UP WAS BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER USED THE WRONG BEARING ON THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR. THE BEARING WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE THRUST IN THIS TYPE OF APPLICATION. WHEN I PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT BEARING FROM THE YAMAHA DEALER, IT WAS A BEARING DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE THRUST OF THE PINION GEAR. YAMAHA … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10563503 · 18,450 miAFTER A BRIEF WARM UP, ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. NO SPARK CONDITION. WILL RESTART WHEN COOL, THEN THE PROBLEM REPEATS. A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10563503 · 18,450 miAFTER A BRIEF WARM UP, ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. NO SPARK CONDITION. WILL RESTART WHEN COOL, THEN THE PROBLEM REPEATS. A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10523505 · 15,100 miI HAVE A 2005 YAMAHA VSTAR 650 SILVERADO. OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE REAR AND ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THERE IS METAL THAT HAS FLAKED OFF AND MIXED WITH THIS OIL AND IT DOESN'T LOOK WELL. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET IS SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE BIKES. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND/OR POSSIBLY DEADLY SITUATION IF THE BIKE WERE TO LOCKUP ON YOU WHILE RIDING. OIL ON TIRES AND RIDING COULD POSSIBLY END VERY BADLY. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY ADDRESSED BY OTHER RIDERS MORE THAN LIKELY YAMAHA IS WELL AWAR… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 8,426 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10522989 · 4,052 miAS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD BACK TO MY HOTEL, MY MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO LOAD IT ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT BACK HOME TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND A GEAR IN MY FINAL DRIVE HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN. THE PART HAS MADE MY MOTORCYCLE INOPERABLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A LONG RIDE HOME, THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR ODI 10910882 · 12,800 miREAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR IS NOT LUBRICATED WITH GREASE DURING INITIAL ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATION OF THIS GEAR IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY. THIS OVERSIGHT CAUSES THE GEAR TO SLOWLY WEAR AWAY OVER TIME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN. IF THIS OCCURS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM TO YAMAHA, YET THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THIS DEFICIENCY OR MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. AT THE TIME WHEN MY PINION GEAR FAILED, I WAS IN MOTION AND THE SUDDEN LOSS O… |
| Power Train:Driveline | Too few reports for a range | 21,158 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10166182 · 15,315 miA NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS… ODI 10319363 · 27,000 miYAMAHA XVS 650 DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER FAILS. COULD CAUSE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL. FACTORY DOES NOT LUBRICATE PART AT DURING ASSEMBLY AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNER TO LUBRICATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OWNERS. THIS HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT A MAJOR INCIDENT. YAMAHA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Lubricant | Too few reports for a range | 15,315 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10166182 · 15,315 miA NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS… |
| Structure:Frame And Members | Too few reports for a range | 13,500 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10275890 · 13,500 miI PURCHASED A USED V-STAR MOTORCYCLE AND, AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF RIDING IT, THE PIECE THAT WAS USED TO SECURE MY PEDAL SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY. AFTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM I REALIZED THAT THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE IS WELDED AND NOT BOLTED ON. I HAD TO RIDE IT HOME IN SECOND GEAR AFTER ANOTHER BIKER HELPED ME POP IT IN GEAR. I TALKED WITH A YAMAHA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY IS UP SO THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. … |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2007: 2 complaints · 2009: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Power Train | Power Train:Driveline | Power Train:Manual Transmission:Lubricant | Structure:Frame And Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 0 | — | 1ODI 10166182 · 15,315 miA NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS… | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Lubricant | 0 | 1ODI 10166182 · 15,315 miA NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS… | — | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.