U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Yamaha XVS650: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

4 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

16,250 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 4 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	1	25.0%
Engine operation	1	25.0%

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.

Power Train

Power Train: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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.

2012

2013

2014

2018

2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10466666 · 2012-07-19 (July 19, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 YAMAHA XVS650 V STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466666 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10504301 · 2013-03-24 (March 24, 2013)

I WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TRIP TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN MY FINAL GEAR DRIVE STARTED MAKING NOISE. IT WAS CLINKING AND THE BIKE BEGAN TO LURCH AND SLIP' LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT FAR FROM MY HOME, AS I HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE ALL THE WAY BACK. I HAVE HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE PINION GEAR IN THE FINAL GEAR DRIVE WAS STRIPPED, APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 650 YAMAHA V-STARS. FORTUNATELY I HAD NOT YET MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY YET AS THIS DEFAULT COULD HAVE CAUS…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504301 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10621601 · 2014-08-12 (August 12, 2014)

THE BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK APART THE HOUSING AND REMOVED THE RETAINING NUT TO GET TO THE BEARING. THE BEARING WAS COMPLETELY TORN APART AND MOST OF THE BEARINGS WERE MISSING. WHEN THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL WAS REPLACED WE FOUND OUT WHERE THE METAL PARTS WENT. THEY WERE GROUND DOWN AND FLOATING IN THE OIL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,754 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621601 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11140459 · 2018-10-15 (October 15, 2018)

FINAL DRIVE FLAW CAUSED FINAL DRIVE OIL SPRAYED ONTO REAR TIRE AND UNDER FENDER WHICH CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT MOMENT IT HAPPENED, HOWEVER IT WAS DISCOVERED AFTER RIDING ABOUT 30 MILES, AND THEN PARKING THE BIKE.

Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140459 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage4 / 4 records

100.0%Valid incident date4 / 4 records

100.0%Valid filing date4 / 4 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates4 / 4 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2005	2009	2010
Power Train:Manual Transmission	2100.0% ODI 10066178 · 6,531 mi MANUAL TRANSMISSION SKIPS UP INTO NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION Look up ODI 10066178 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10037163 · 11,500 mi YAMAHA INSTALLED IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED 5TH GEARS IN THE 1999/2000 YAMAHA VSTAR MOTORCYCLES. THESE GEARS PREMATURELY WEAR DOWN AND CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK Look up ODI 10037163 at NHTSA ↗	562.5% ODI 10036692 · 24,235 mi YAMAHA INSTALLED IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED 5TH GEARS IN THE 1999/2000 YAMAHA VSTAR MOTORCYCLES. THESE GEARS PREMATURELY WEAR DOWN AND CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK Look up ODI 10036692 at NHTSA ↗	225.0% ODI 10037124 FIFTH GEAR HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2001 YAMAHA V STAR 650 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE AT 7000 MILES. WHILE CRUISING IN FIFTH GEAR YOU WOULD HEAR A LOUD CHATTERING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE BIKE. THE DEALER WHO DID THE REPAIR STATED THAT THE GEAR AND THE DRIVE GEAR WERE DEFORMED AS IF SOMETHING HAD RAN THROUGH THEM. THERE WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT BUT THE DEALER WARNED ME THAT IT COULD LOCK UP. COST OF REPAIR 545.00. *AK Look up ODI 10037124 at NHTSA ↗	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.
Power Train	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.	323.1% ODI 10500854 · 30,000 mi LIKE MANY OWNERS OF THE YAMAHA 650 SERIES, I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE FINAL DRIVE. MINE IS LEEKING FLUID THAT HAD METALLIC CHIPS IN IT WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. IT IS BEING DIAGNOSED TOMORROW, BUT I ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE AND WILL BE ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT MYSELF. SICNE THERE ARE COUNTLESS ISSUES, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON TH IS MODEL?!?! Look up ODI 10500854 at NHTSA ↗	4100.0% ODI 10466666 · 24,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 YAMAHA XVS650 V STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. Look up ODI 10466666 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 10592445 · 50,000 mi ON OR ABOUT 03/01/2010. THE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 60-70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. RESULTING IN A BEARING FAILURE, EATING AWAY OF SEAL AND GEAR OIL BEING SPLASHED THROUGHOUT REAR WHEEL. *JS MANUFACTURED REFUSED TO EVALUATE FAILED COMPONENT. ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE ORIGINAL FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. MANUFACTURE NO LONGER SOLD THAT SPECIFIC PART NUMBER AS IT HAD BEEN DEPRECATED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART NUMBER. PURCHASED REPLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 589.00 (OEM) (NEW PART NUMBER - ASSUMED TO HAVE IMPROVED … Look up ODI 10592445 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	250.0% ODI 10053068 · 26,400 mi YAMAHA FAILS TO IDENTIFY THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING AREA AS REQUIRING MAINTENANCE IN THE USER MANUAL, SHOP MANUAL AND TECH MANUALS. COUPLING AREA REQUIRES LUBRICATION OTHERWISE THE AREA MAY SEIZE AND CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP THEREBY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR MAY EVEN RESULT IN DEATH. Look up ODI 10053068 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.7% ODI 10053087 VEHICLE TYPE: MOTORCYCLE MAKE: YAMAHA MODEL XVS650A YEAR: 2002 YAMAHA'S LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER CAN CAUSE IT TO SEIZE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. Look up ODI 10053087 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Wheels	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10147355 · 8,000 mi 2000 YAMAHA V-STAR 650 CLASSIC; ONLY 8,000 ODOMETER MILES. NOTICED SEVERAL CRACKS OR FRACTURES IN THE REAR WHEEL HUB, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE REAR HUB'S TO EVENTUALLY BREAK-UP AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH DUE TO REAR WHEEL LOCKUP AND HANDLING DIFFICULTIES. *JB Look up ODI 10147355 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10157564 DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH EIGHTEEN OF THE REAR WHEEL SPOKES SNAPPED. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE WOBBLED IT WAS DRIVEN SAFELY FROM THE ROAD. THE SHORT SPOKES BECAME LOOSE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND WERE TIGHTENED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED BY THE MECHANIC. AK Look up ODI 10157564 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10992985 · 12,000 mi ON THESE MODEL THE SHAFT ON THE FINAL-DRIVE GOING INTO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS NOT OILED NOR HAS ENOUGH GREASE TO LAST OVER 10K MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS BIKE SERVICED AT EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL AND GREASING THE SPLINES IS NOT IN THE SERVICE. NOR CAN THEY BE GREASED WHEN THE TIRE CHANGE IS PERFORMED WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE 4 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT IN THE COVER OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. MY SPLINES STRIPPED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED AND ALMOST BEING RAN OVER BY THE CARS THAT WERE BEHIND ME TRA… Look up ODI 10992985 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Starter Assembly	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.	215.4% ODI 10047235 · 10,750 mi STARTER FAILURE ON 2002 YAMAHA V-STAR 1100 MOTORCYCLE DUE TO DESIGN FAILURE TO PREVENT "KICKBACK" UPON STARTING. VERY HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURE WITH MODELS PRIOR TO 2003 WHEN STARTER WAS REDESIGNED. YAMAHA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *LA Look up ODI 10047235 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seats:Motorcycle	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10249230 CONSUMER PASSENGER SEAT CAME A LOOSE AND CONSUMER FELL OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. NJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM YAMAHA ON APRIL 16, 2007 BUT THE LETTER WAS DATED MARCH 3, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL WAS SENT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED FROM A YAMAHA DEALER SO THEIR NAMES SHOULD HAVE LISTED AS THE NEW OWNERS. RECALL 05V067000 JB Look up ODI 10249230 at NHTSA ↗	17.7% ODI 10198498 I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE FROM YAMAHA ABOUT THE DEFECT. I CONTACTED THE CLOSEST DEALER FOR THE REPAIR AS INSTRUCTED BY THE MFG. THE DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY A DEPOSIT BEFORE ORDERING THE PARTS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT NAMED IN THE RECALL! I THEN CONTACTED THE MFG. TO VOICE MY COMPLAINT, AND GOT LEFT ON TERMINAL HOLD. *TR Look up ODI 10198498 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Rear	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 8016936 CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT SIX SPOKES BROKE OR FELL OFF MOTORCYCLE REAR WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK Look up ODI 8016936 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	17.7% ODI 10053078 MY COMPLAINT IS THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER CAN CAUSE IT TO SEIZE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. THAT IS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR MY COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT IDENTIFY THIS PART FOR MAINTENANCE IN THE OWNERS, SHOP OR MAINTENANCE MANUALS CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING MODELS: XVS 650 & XVS1100. I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY THAT EACH OWNER BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A ONE TIME FREE INSPECTION BY YAMAHA. Look up ODI 10053078 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	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.	215.4% ODI 10030265 · 4,829 mi SPEEDOMETER CABLE BROKEN. *AK Look up ODI 10030265 at NHTSA ↗	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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	16,250 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10466666 · 24,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 YAMAHA XVS650 V STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. Look up ODI 10466666 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10504301 · 10,000 mi I WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TRIP TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN MY FINAL GEAR DRIVE STARTED MAKING NOISE. IT WAS CLINKING AND THE BIKE BEGAN TO LURCH AND SLIP' LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT FAR FROM MY HOME, AS I HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE ALL THE WAY BACK. I HAVE HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE PINION GEAR IN THE FINAL GEAR DRIVE WAS STRIPPED, APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 650 YAMAHA V-STARS. FORTUNATELY I HAD NOT YET MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY YET AS THIS DEFAULT COULD HAVE CAUS… Look up ODI 10504301 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10621601 · 6,754 mi THE BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK APART THE HOUSING AND REMOVED THE RETAINING NUT TO GET TO THE BEARING. THE BEARING WAS COMPLETELY TORN APART AND MOST OF THE BEARINGS WERE MISSING. WHEN THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL WAS REPLACED WE FOUND OUT WHERE THE METAL PARTS WENT. THEY WERE GROUND DOWN AND FLOATING IN THE OIL. *TR Look up ODI 10621601 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2009: 1 complaints · 2010: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2009	0	1	1
2010	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2009	1	0	0
2010	1	0	0

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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train
Power Train	—

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.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 10,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10504301 · 10,000 mi

Look up ODI 10504301 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 24,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10466666 · 24,000 mi

Look up ODI 10466666 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b