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: 2 of 2 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
270 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA YZFR1 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXCESSIVELY HOT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD FEEL AS IF HIS LEGS WERE BURNING. ON ONE OCCASION, A PASSENGER'S RUBBER SOLE MELTED FROM THE HEAT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA YZFR1 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXCESSIVELY HOT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD FEEL AS IF HIS LEGS WERE BURNING. ON ONE OCCASION, A PASSENGER'S RUBBER SOLE MELTED FROM THE HEAT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 270.
NHTSA ODI #10349762
3,500 miles · Jun 28, 2010
Exterior LightingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA YZF-R1 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEADLIGHT. THE HEADLIGHT THEN BEGAN MELTING AND THE CONTACT VIDEO RECORDED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA YZF-R1 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HEADLIGHT. THE HEADLIGHT THEN BEGAN MELTING AND THE CONTACT VIDEO RECORDED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,500.
Yamaha Motor Corporation USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 YZFR1 motorcycles manufactured October 2008 through August 2013 and 2012-2013 XTZ12 motorcycles manufactured October 2011 through August 2013. In the affected motorcycles, use of the headlight may generate enough heat to cause the bulb connections to expand, resulting in arcing in the headlight bulb socket which could cause the socket to overheat, melt and cause the headlight to malfunction.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A headlight failure reduces the rider's ability to see clearly and the motorcycle's visibility to oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Yamaha will notify owners and dealers will replace the headlight socket, free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2014. 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.
2009 Yamaha YZFR1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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