RoadVitals

2015 Yamaha Fj-09

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jun 11, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 31, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Yamaha Fj-09, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine654.5%
  • Powertrain (other)218.2%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V221000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Mar 31, 2017
22,433 units potentially affected
The defect: Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2017 FJ-09, FZ-09, and XSR900 motorcycles. The lower handlebar holder may loosen due to a painting issue and the inadequate application of the thread-locking agent.
The risk: If the handlebars are not properly secured to the motorcycle, a loss of vehicle control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lower handlebar holder, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990114.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USAManufacturer number 990114View on NHTSA.gov
15V176000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Mar 25, 2015
4,900 units potentially affected
The defect: Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015 FJ-09 (FJ09F/FC), FZ-09 (FZ09F/FC), FZ6R (FZ6RF/FC), Super Tenere (XTZ12F/FC), Super Tenere ES (XTZ12EF/EFC), and R6 (YZF-R6) motorcycles manufactured September 1, 2014, to November 17, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, having a sharp edge on the inside of the bend instead of a smooth radius. As a result, the stopper can crack and possibly fracture at this sharp edge.
The risk: If the stopper fractures, the transmission may not shift properly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift shaft assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on April 6, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USAView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2019

CLUTCH BASKET WENT BAD (MANY OF THIS ENGINE MOTORCYCLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM)

NHTSA ID
11219387
Incident
Apr 9, 2019
Mileage
12,000 mi
Filed Feb 28, 2018

I JUST HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM KNOWN TO YAMAHA REPAIRED. THE CLUTCH CABLE ON YAMAHA FJ-09S UP THROUGH 2017 IS KNOW TO BREAK BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN. YAMAHA HAS COME OUT WITH A REDESIGNED CLUTH CABLE TO FIX THIS PRO0BLEM. IF A RIDER HAD HIS CLUTCH CABLE BREAK IT WOULD RENDER THE MTOROCYCLE UNDRIVEABLE AND POTENTIALLY A MAJOR SAFETY FACTOR IS THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS TO BREAK IN TRAFFIC RENDERING THE MOTORCYCLE UNRIDEABLE. IT WOULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY7 PROBLEM FOR YOUNGER, LESS EXPERIENDED RIDER WHO ARE UNABLE TO SHIFT A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A CLUTCH.

NHTSA ID
11075404
Incident
Feb 14, 2018
Mileage
8,900 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2017

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT I FELT A POP IN MY LEFT HAND AND THE CLUTCH GAINED AN EXTRA HALF INCH OF SLACK. THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TRYING TO LURCH FORWARD FROM THE NOW SLIPPING CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BEGUN TO BREAK. I MANAGED TO WRESTLE THE BIKE OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF BUT ALMOST DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE MOTORCYCLE HOME AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE FURTHER. I HAD READ ONLINE OF MANY OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH CABLE BREAKING. I ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE CABLE BUT IT WOULD NOT COME INTO SPEC. I REALIZED I WOULD NEED A NEW CABLE SO I TOOK A RAZOR BLADE AND DISSECTED THE CLUTCH CABLE. UPON OPENING IT, 90% OF THE CABLE HAD TORN AND THERE WAS ONLY 2 STEEL STRANDS FROM A COMPLETE BREAK. THIS BIKE HAS BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR ONLY 9 MONTHS AND HAS COMPLETED JUST OVER 10,000 MILES. UPON ORDERING A REPLACEMENT CABLE I NOTICED THAT YAMAHA HAS UPDATED THE PART NUMBER FROM 2PP-26335-01-00 TO 2PP-26335-02-00 INDICATING THE REVISION. THE ORIGINAL CABLE HAS A GUIDE TUBE WHICH IS TOO SHORT AND THAT CAUSES THE CABLE TO SLIGHTLY BIND AND RUB CAUSING THE FAILURE. SOME OTHER RIDERS REPORT ISSUES AS EARLY AS 3,000 MILES. OTHERS BRAG THAT THEIR CLUTCH CABLE MADE IT AN ASTONISHING 24,000 MILES BEFORE BREAKING. THE CLUTCH IS THE ONLY THING THAT SEPERATES THE MOTOR FROM THE DRIVE AND IS A CRITICAL PART IN MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. IF YOU ARE NO ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE MOTOR FROM THE DRIVE, THE BIKE WILL NOT WANT TO STOP. SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR TO NEUTRAL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WITH NO CLUTCH AND THE MOTOR TRYING TO TURN THE DRIVE. I WAS LUCKY THAT MY CLUTCH CABLE GAVE WAY WHILE SITTING STILL. HAD I BEEN DECELERATING FROM HIGHWAY SPEED I DOUBT I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP IN A NORMAL DISTANCE. YAMAHA SHOULD RECALL THIS PART. COST IS $22 AND LESS THAN AN HOUR TO INSTALL. SAFETY MATTERS

NHTSA ID
11052665
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
10,260 mi
Filed Jan 14, 2017
Crash reported

THE OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG IS PROTECTED BY A PROTRUDING FIN. IF THIS FIN HITS AN OBJECT IT WILL BE PUSHED INTO THE OIL PAN AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE/ FRACTURE AND RELEASE THE OIL. THIS RELEASE OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL MAY COVER THE BACK WHEEL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATH. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY FJ 09, BUT IS DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. I CALLED YAMAHA ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. BUT ON THE 2016 MODEL, THEY MOVED THE DRAIN PLUG TO THE SIDE OF THE OIL PAN, INDICATING THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10945266
Incident
Nov 7, 2016
Mileage
1,500 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Feb 7, 2016

A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT INCLUDING PICTURES AND WRITE-UP CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTP://FJ-09.ORG/THREAD/2911/12-STEP-REPLACE-OIL-PAN

NHTSA ID
10824702
Incident
Jan 16, 2016
Mileage
1,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 16, 2016

FACTORY SPECIFICATION FOR FINAL DRIVE CHAIN TENSION ON THE FJ-09 IS UNUSUALLY TIGHT AT 5MM - 15MM. I HAVE OWNED MORE THAN 40 MOTORCYCLES AND NONE OF THEM SPECIFIED SUCH A TIGHT TENSION. MOST MFGRS, INCL. EVERY YAMAHA I'VE EVER OWNED, SPECIFY 25MM - 35MM "SLACK" IN THE CHAIN FROM FULL TIGHT AND WHEN MEASURED WITH BIKE ON CENTERSTAND. HAVING TOO LITTLE SLACK CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE CHAIN AND/OR THE REAR SPROCKET AND/OR THE FRONT SPROCKET. IF ANY OF THESE PARTS CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND/OR DEATH. YAMAHA SHOULD REVISE THEIR SPECIFICATION AND OFFER FREE ADJUSTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP, A 10 MINUTE JOB

NHTSA ID
10820642
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
250 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 22, 2015

TRAVELING AT APPROX 45 MPH VEHICLE SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART SEVERAL MINUTES LATER IT WOULD ONLY IDLE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE STALLING AGAIN. TOWED TO DEALER, UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. BIKE WAS RETURNED 2 DAYS LATER WITH ASSURANCES IT WAS RUNNING FINE. ON THE RIDE HOME, APPROX 5 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 60 MPH, IT SHUT OFF AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY ECU. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A NARROW TWO LANE COUNTRY ROAD WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND NO WHERE TO EXIT THE PAVEMENT.

NHTSA ID
10735779
Incident
Jul 18, 2015
Mileage
1,491 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 21, 2015

CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED TO ADJUST CORRECTLY CAUSING CAM CHAIN TO OVER TIGHTEN WHICH LED TO CHAIN GUIDE DAMAGE. ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATED WITH METAL FILINGS

NHTSA ID
10735572
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
5,700 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TB-M-2015-007

EQUIPMENT

YAMAHA MC: DUE TO MOUNTING BOSS BEING MOLDED 0.2MM THINNER THEN SPECIFICATION, A RATTLING NOISE IS HEARD WHERE STAYS AND REAR FRAME ARE BOLTED TOGETHER BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CASE STAYS AND REAR FRAME. MODEL 2015 FJ09F. *PE

TE-M-2015-006

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

YAMAHA MC: INFORMATION ON DISCONTINUATION OF SUSPENSION OIL RT-43 USED FOR CERTAIN MODELS AND REPLACED BY AN ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE M1 SUSPENSION OIL. NO MODEL OR YEARS LISTED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Yamaha Fj-09 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017010—
2016010—
2015Viewing102046.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.