Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 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
13 reports
12,000 miles · Jun 3, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlWheels
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…
Read full complaint
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 TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION DUE TO THE BIKE LOOSING SPEED AND SLOWING DOWN VERY QUICKLY. WHEN I TOOK THE BIKE IN TI BE INSPECTED THE SPLINES WERE BONE-DRY AND THE PART THAT HAD STRIPPED WAS ON THE PARTS DIAGRAM BUT DIDN'T HAVE A PART NUMBER SO I COULD NOT ORDER THE PART I HAD TO BUY THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AT AROUND $1,200.00 TO $1,300.00 DOLLARS.. I'M SURE YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THIS DUE TO THE FACT THEY QUIT MAKING THIS MODEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND NOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN ENGINEERED DIFFERENTLY, THE SPLINES ARE NOW KEPT OILED BY GEAR OIL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL.. IF I DIDN'T MANEUVER QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT..
NHTSA ODI #10992985
38,555 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Power Train
THE DRIVESHAFT STRIPPED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. A DEFECT IN DESIGN. WATER RUSTED THE DRIVESHAFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641631
30,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Power Train
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…
Read full complaint
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?!?!
NHTSA ODI #10500854
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2007
Seats
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
NHTSA ODI #10198498
4,300 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Tires
THE REAR TIRE CONTAINED CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. *JB THE REAR TIRE WAS CRACKING ALL AROUND THE SIDEWALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. THE TIRE WAS DRY ROTTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF STATIC ELECTRICITY THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10126901
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND MOTORCYCLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091727
16,000 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Electrical System
STARTER PROBLEMS ON MY YAMAHA V-STAR 1100. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054770
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2004
Power Train
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. THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THIS PART FOR MAINTENANCE IN THE OWNERS, SHOP OR MAINTENANCE MANUALS CONCERNING OUR MODEL: XVS 650 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA ODI #10053099
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2004
Power Train
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.
NHTSA ODI #10053087
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2004
Suspension
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: …
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10053078
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2002 Yamaha XVS650 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration