Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
025–50K
050–75K
075–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
65 reports with mileage · 17 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
82 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
THE SPEEDOMETER IS UNREADABLE IN MOST DAYLIGHT SITUATIONS. THE GLASS PLATE OVER THE DIGITAL READOUT IS TOO DARK AND REFLECTIVE. ALL ONE CAN SEE DURING MOST DAY RIDING IS GLARE OR A BLACK PANE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE IS GOING SINCE THE SPEEDOMETER IS UNREADABLE. ONE CANNOT JUDGE IF THEY HAVE…
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THE SPEEDOMETER IS UNREADABLE IN MOST DAYLIGHT SITUATIONS. THE GLASS PLATE OVER THE DIGITAL READOUT IS TOO DARK AND REFLECTIVE. ALL ONE CAN SEE DURING MOST DAY RIDING IS GLARE OR A BLACK PANE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT SPEED THE MOTORCYCLE IS GOING SINCE THE SPEEDOMETER IS UNREADABLE. ONE CANNOT JUDGE IF THEY HAVE SLOWED TO REQUIRED SPEEDS IN MARKED "REDUCED SPEED" AREAS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION AND DANGEROUS CURVES. ONE CANNOT KNOW IF THEY ARE ENTERING TRAFFIC AT A SAFE SPEED OR EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMITS POSTED. TURN SIGNAL FLASHER IS NOT VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVE TO KNOW IF HIS TURN SIGNAL IS ON OR OFF. WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE IN DAYLIGHT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO RESPOND TO ANY POTENTIAL MECHANICAL EMERGENCY SHOWN BY LIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #10726955
2,000 miles · Jun 20, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF THE DAY THE POSITION OF THE SUN THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES UNREADABLE. WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO DRIVE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS. ALSO I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE GOTTEN ARRESTED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT OFTEN I HAVE FOUND MYSELF SPEEDING EXCESSIVELY WHEN I COULDN'T …
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DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF THE DAY THE POSITION OF THE SUN THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES UNREADABLE. WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO DRIVE OVER THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS. ALSO I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE GOTTEN ARRESTED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT OFTEN I HAVE FOUND MYSELF SPEEDING EXCESSIVELY WHEN I COULDN'T SEE MY SPEEDOMETER DUE TO SUNLIGHT. I ONLY REALIZED MY SPEED WHEN THE SUNLIGHT WAS BLOCKED. MOVING MY HEAD AND SHIFTING MY STANCE DOES NOT HELP THE SITUATION ONE BIT. THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE AND YAMAHA KEEPS PUTTING IT OUT. CONSUMERS ARE BUYING THE PRODUCT BECAUSE THEY ARE NON THE WISER. PLEASE HELP STOP THE PRODUCTION OF THIS SPEEDOMETER BEFORE THERE IS REAL INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #10726367
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
2014 YAMAHA BOLT R-SPEC (XV950R). THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER VISIBILITY IS EXTREMELY POOR DURING THE DAYTIME IN ALMOST ALL BUT PERFECT CONDITIONS AND MAKES DETERMINING SPEED A MAJOR ISSUE. AT NIGHT IT IS VISIBLE DUE TO IT'S BACK LIGHT AND REALLY IS THE ONLY TIME IT CAN BE SEEN AT ALL ANGLES ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10724661
50 miles · May 2, 2015
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER IS UNREADABLE WHEN THE SUN IS AT CERTAIN ANGLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714166
7 miles · May 1, 2015
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO READ WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING ON IT AT CERTAIN ANGLES, MAKING IT UNCLEAR TO THE RIDER WHAT SPEED THE BIKE IS CURRENTLY GOING. THIS IS A DANGER TO ROAD SAFETY, A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING A TICKET, AND A NUISANCE. YAMAHA HAS BEEN UNHELPFUL AND UNCOOPERATIVE WHEN APPROACHED VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE…
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THE SPEEDOMETER BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO READ WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING ON IT AT CERTAIN ANGLES, MAKING IT UNCLEAR TO THE RIDER WHAT SPEED THE BIKE IS CURRENTLY GOING. THIS IS A DANGER TO ROAD SAFETY, A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING A TICKET, AND A NUISANCE. YAMAHA HAS BEEN UNHELPFUL AND UNCOOPERATIVE WHEN APPROACHED VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WAS ALSO AN UNSUCCESSFUL AVENUE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714102
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
LCD SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IS NOT VISIBLE (DARK) WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED AND OTHER LCD READINGS. THIS CAUSES A DISTRACTION WHEN TRYING TO READ THE METER. THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE WHEN SUN IS BEHIND THE RIDER OR AT NIGHT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YAMAHA CHANGED THE SPEEDOMETER/O…
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LCD SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IS NOT VISIBLE (DARK) WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN. UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED AND OTHER LCD READINGS. THIS CAUSES A DISTRACTION WHEN TRYING TO READ THE METER. THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER IS ONLY VISIBLE WHEN SUN IS BEHIND THE RIDER OR AT NIGHT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YAMAHA CHANGED THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ON THE 2015 MODEL MAKING IT MORE VISIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713950
1 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Electrical System
IN ANY CONDITION OTHER THAN NIGHTTIME OR EXTREMELY OVERCAST I CANNOT SEE THE SPEED OR ANY OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON MY YAMAHA BOLT 2014 SPEEDOMETER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713898
12 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Electrical System
CAN NOT VIEW SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY IN MOST DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS. THIS CREATES A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION REQUIRING THE RIDER TO AVERT EYES FROM THE ROAD AND FOCUS ON SPEEDOMETER FOR 3-5 SECONDS. IN SOME CONDITIONS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ SPEEDOMETER AT ALL (POLARIZED LENSES ON SUNGLASSES). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713878
10 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Unknown Or Other
INSTRUMENTATION SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TRIP METER AND INFORMATION LIGHTS I.E. TURN SIGNAL, HIGH BEAM INDICATOR, FUEL LEVEL ETC. VERY DIFFICULT AND DISTRACTING TO READ WHILE RIDING. OCCURS IN ALL LIGHT CONDITIONS. DUE TO DARK INSTRUMENT FACE, IT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF ADDED TIME TO FOCUS ON SPEEDOMETER TO GATHER INFORM…
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INSTRUMENTATION SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TRIP METER AND INFORMATION LIGHTS I.E. TURN SIGNAL, HIGH BEAM INDICATOR, FUEL LEVEL ETC. VERY DIFFICULT AND DISTRACTING TO READ WHILE RIDING. OCCURS IN ALL LIGHT CONDITIONS. DUE TO DARK INSTRUMENT FACE, IT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF ADDED TIME TO FOCUS ON SPEEDOMETER TO GATHER INFORMATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713702
5 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Electrical System
UNDER NORMAL DAYLIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE LCD SPEEDOMETER WILL BLACK OUT COMPLETELY WHEN THE SUN SHINES AT ANY ANGLE OTHER THAN DIRECTLY ON THE CLUSTER. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS NOW BECAUSE MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSED (MORE THAN A MOMENTARY GLANCE) ON FIGURING OUT HOW FAST I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER IS SO DARK, I…
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UNDER NORMAL DAYLIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE LCD SPEEDOMETER WILL BLACK OUT COMPLETELY WHEN THE SUN SHINES AT ANY ANGLE OTHER THAN DIRECTLY ON THE CLUSTER. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS NOW BECAUSE MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSED (MORE THAN A MOMENTARY GLANCE) ON FIGURING OUT HOW FAST I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER IS SO DARK, IN FACT, I HAVE GIVEN UP WORRYING ABOUT HOW FAST I'M GOING MOST TIMES, WHICH IS STILL UNSAFE. *TR
Yamaha Motor Company (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2014 XVS950CU (Bolt) motorcycles manufactured March 2013 through June 2013. Slack or sag in the wiring harness may allow it to contact the exhaust manifold causing the wires to melt, and possibly short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the wires short circuit, the fuses will blow which may cause the engine to stall. An engine stall while riding, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness and secure it away from the exhaust. If the wiring harness is damaged, it will first be replaced. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Owners may contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2014 Yamaha Bolt Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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