IllustrationTHE LCD DISPLAY ON THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT VISIBLE WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I CAN'T READ MILES PER HOUR (MPH) OR ANYTHING ELSE ON THE LCD DISPLAY WHICH I FEEL IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
2014 Yamaha Bolt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Bolt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTHE SPEEDOMETER FACE LENS DOES NOT ALLOW THE DIGITAL SPEEDO DISPLAY TO BE CLEARLY VISIBLE WHEN DRIVING INTO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG BOLT OWNERS. *TR
THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER ON THIS MOTORCYCLE IS UNREADABLE UNDER CERTAIN LIGHTING CONDITIONS. ANGLED SUNLIGHT (MORNING, EVENING WHEN LIGHT IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE) CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER READOUT IS UNREADABLE. THE ONLY METHOD OF MEASURING SPEED IS BY SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS …
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THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER ON THIS MOTORCYCLE IS UNREADABLE UNDER CERTAIN LIGHTING CONDITIONS. ANGLED SUNLIGHT (MORNING, EVENING WHEN LIGHT IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE) CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER READOUT IS UNREADABLE. THE ONLY METHOD OF MEASURING SPEED IS BY SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS, ESPECIALLY ON EXPRESSWAYS AND URBAN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT CHANGES BY LOCATION. *TR
WHEN RIDING INTO THE SUN THE SPEEDOMETER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. *TR
THE OEM LCD SPEEDOMETER BACKLIGHT IS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED AND UNDER MOST CONDITIONS WHETHER IT BE DURING DAYTIME, NIGHTTIME, SUNLIGHT, CLOUDY SKIES, RAIN, SNOW, TUNNELS, IN A GARAGE, WHATEVER THE CONDITIONS, THE LCD DISPLAY CAN NOT BE SEEN. MOST OWNERS OF THE BIKE KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, HAVE DISCUSSED IT AMONGST THEMSE…
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THE OEM LCD SPEEDOMETER BACKLIGHT IS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED AND UNDER MOST CONDITIONS WHETHER IT BE DURING DAYTIME, NIGHTTIME, SUNLIGHT, CLOUDY SKIES, RAIN, SNOW, TUNNELS, IN A GARAGE, WHATEVER THE CONDITIONS, THE LCD DISPLAY CAN NOT BE SEEN. MOST OWNERS OF THE BIKE KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, HAVE DISCUSSED IT AMONGST THEMSELVES, SOME HAVE SAID THAT YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (HEARSAY). I WANTED TO ADD TO THE ONLY THREE COMPLAINTS HERE IN THE NHTSA (SAFECAR.GOV) SITE AND ONLY HOPE THAT ALL OF THE OWNERS FOLLOW SUIT SO THAT YAMAHA CAN TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION ASAP. THIS IS NOT A, "WE WILL WAIT AND SEE" PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, ANALYZED BY THE YAMAHA ENGINEERS AND A PERMANENT FIX ISSUED BY YAMAHA. OR, ARE WE WAITING FOR AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS LOOKED INTO? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA BOLT STAR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN SUN LIGHT, IT WAS HARD TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75.
I LOVE THE MACHINE, HOWEVER, AT NIGHT, YOU CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. IT DOESN'T LIGHT UP, AND THE NUMBERS ARE HARD TO SEE. WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, ESPECIALLY ON A MOTORCYCLE. *TR
WHEN RIDING INTO THE SUN THE SPEEDOMETER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. IF THE SUN IS BEHIND YOU OR AT NIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER IS OK. *TR
WHEN HEADING INTO THE SUN THE SPEEDOMETER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE, ALL YOU SEE IS A BLACK CIRCLE. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE YOU CAN NOT TELL YOU SPEED AT ALL. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY YAMAHA BOLT IS ILLEGIBLE IN WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING ON IT CREATING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ON THE ROAD FOR ME AND OTHERS. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
Official recalls
113V298000 · Electrical System
Jul 8, 2013
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.