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: 19 of 28 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.
Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. 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 reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
28 reports
3,483 miles · Mar 2, 2004
Electrical System
YAMAHA 2001 R6 BATTERY LEAKED ALL OVER SHOCK, SWINGARM, GAS TANK, FRAME, CHAIN, AND REAR WHEEL. THE BATTERY HAS NEVER BEEN ON A BATTERY CHARGER, THE BIKE HAS NEVER BEEN TIPPED OR WHEELIED PARKED ON AN INCLINE CARRIED UP A RAMP OR BEEN STRAPPED TO A ROLLER COASTER DOING LOOPS SO THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR A BATTERY THAT IS …
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YAMAHA 2001 R6 BATTERY LEAKED ALL OVER SHOCK, SWINGARM, GAS TANK, FRAME, CHAIN, AND REAR WHEEL. THE BATTERY HAS NEVER BEEN ON A BATTERY CHARGER, THE BIKE HAS NEVER BEEN TIPPED OR WHEELIED PARKED ON AN INCLINE CARRIED UP A RAMP OR BEEN STRAPPED TO A ROLLER COASTER DOING LOOPS SO THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR A BATTERY THAT IS CLAIMED NOT TO LEAK. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 3583 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060197
23,540 miles · Feb 1, 2004
Power Train
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 YAMAHA R6 WHICH IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH 2ND GEAR. THE BIKE IS SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR IN 2ND. I DO NOT RACE, STUNT RIDE OR ANY OTHER ABUSIVE RIDING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT BROUGHT THE PROBLEM ON. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT O…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 YAMAHA R6 WHICH IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH 2ND GEAR. THE BIKE IS SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR IN 2ND. I DO NOT RACE, STUNT RIDE OR ANY OTHER ABUSIVE RIDING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT BROUGHT THE PROBLEM ON. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF YAMAHA 99-01 R6 OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I FEEL AS THOUGH YAMAHA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WITH THIS SITUATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056279
12,000 miles · Jan 29, 2004
Electrical System
BATTERY ACID FROM LEAKY OEM BATTERY HAS DAMAGED THE SWINGARM, SHOCK ASSEMBLY, AND FOOT PEG/SHIFTER ASSEMBLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10055191
1,780 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Electrical System
2001 YAMAHA YZFR6 HAS A LEAKING BATTERY THAT DRIPS CORROSIVE ACID ON THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND ONTO THE SWINGARM. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046012
3,579 miles · Sep 28, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure
I HAVE THE 2001 YAMAHA R6 WITH 3600 MILES ON IT AND THE BATTERY HAS LEAKED ALL OVER THE BACK OF MY BIKE CAUSING MY SWING ARM,CHAIN,SHOCK TO GET ACID ALL OVER THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10040867
5,000 miles · Sep 10, 2003
Electrical System
MY '01 YAMAHA R6 HAS A BATTERY LEAK. RUINED MY SWINGARM AND CHAIN. STAINED IT WHITE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10038666
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2003
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2001 YAHAMA YZF-R6 AND THE BATTERY LEAKS ACID ONTO THE REAR SHOCK AND SWINGARM. I FELT IT WAS DANGEROUS SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY, REAR SHOCK AND SWINGARM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037151
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2003
Electrical System
BATTERY LEAKING ACID. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037125
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2003
Power Train
MY 2001 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE HAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE 2ND AND 6TH GEAR DOG EARS OF THE TRANSMISSION.. NUMERIOUS OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH 99 - 02 MODELS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND OUT.. THE PROBLEM IS YAMAHA IS DOING NOTHING TO COVER THE PROBLEM SAYING IT IS EITHER RIDER ABUSE OR NORMAL WEAR. W…
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MY 2001 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE HAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE 2ND AND 6TH GEAR DOG EARS OF THE TRANSMISSION.. NUMERIOUS OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH 99 - 02 MODELS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND OUT.. THE PROBLEM IS YAMAHA IS DOING NOTHING TO COVER THE PROBLEM SAYING IT IS EITHER RIDER ABUSE OR NORMAL WEAR. WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING TO RESPONSIBLE RIDING ADULTS, THEY CANNOT MAKE THAT CLAIM. THEY ALSO CHANGED THE 03 MODEL OF THE BIKE TO PUT EXTRA DOG EARS ON THE 2ND AND 6TH GEAR ONLY.. THEY SAY THIS WAS JUST A ROUTEIN CHANGE, BUT I BET NOT MANY COMPLAINTS COME IN ABOUT 03 R6S.
NHTSA ODI #10036790
3,450 miles · Aug 26, 2003
Electrical System
BATTERY IS LEAKING BATTERY ACID AND HAS DAMAGED THE SWING ARM, SHOCKS, AND THE REAR WHEEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10037659
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.
2001 Yamaha YZFR6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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