RoadVitals

2002 Yamaha XVS11

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.
13
Latest Sep 17, 2011
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 Jun 1, 2005
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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Yamaha XVS11, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

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
05V256000

SEATS:MOTORCYCLE

Jun 1, 2005
46,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYLES, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD BREAK IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IS OVER TIGHTENED.
The risk: IF THE HARDWARE BREAKS, THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN FALL OFF THE REAR FENDER. THE PASSENGER COULD LOSE BALANCE AND FALL, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: OWNERS MAY ALREADY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YAMAHA DATED MARCH 3, 2005, ABOUT THIS DEFECT. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN IMPROVED REMEDY TO THE REPAIR OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL, YAMAHA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES AGAIN. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER WITH COMPONENTS OF A DIFFERENT TYPE THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO FALL OFF. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA.
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USAManufacturer number M2005-010View on NHTSA.gov
05V067000

SEATS:MOTORCYCLE

Mar 3, 2005
179,042 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD LOOSEN DUE TO THE PASSENGER'S WEIGHT SHIFTING ON THE SEAT.
The risk: IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE BECOMES LOOSE ENOUGH TO FALL OFF, THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN FALL OFF THE REAR FENDER. A PASSENGER ON THE MOTORCYCLE COULD LOSE BALANCE AND FALL, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT'S MOUNTING HARDWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-227-5963.
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USAManufacturer number M2005-003View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2011

MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED OFF WHERE THE NUT GOES ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OF THESE BIKES. THE BACK WHEEL CAN LOCK UP AND PUT THE MOTORCYCLE INTO A SKID CAUSING AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD EASILY RESULT IN DEATH. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS SKIPPING AND LOCKING UP. UPON INSPECTION I SEEN THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD SNAPPED OFF. I PLAN ON CONTACTING YAMAHA TO SEE WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO ABOUT THIS. THIS WAS POOR DESIGN BECAUSE THE HAVE MADE A STRONGER DRIVE SHAFT TO REPLACE IT. *TT

NHTSA ID
10425897
Incident
Sep 9, 2011
Mileage
53,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 7, 2011

WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK I NOTICED A VERY LOUD WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT AREA DURING DECELLERATION ON MY 2002 V-STAR 1100. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION AND RESEARCH I LEARNED IT WAS MY MIDDLE DRIVE THAT HAD ACTUALLY DISMEMBERED ITSELF, CAUSING A BROKEN PART TO RATTLE AROUND INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH MANY OTHER YAMAHA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE FORUM. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT INJURED BUT SOME INDIVIDUALS VOICED THAT THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO COMPLETELY LOCK UP GOING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10417834
Incident
Jun 25, 2011
Mileage
28,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2011

MOTORCYCLE STARTED MAKING NOISE WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS. REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP JUST AS I GOT HOME. END OF MIDDLE SHAFT BROKEN OFF AND NUT JAMMED IN U-JOINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10408949
Incident
Jun 26, 2011
Mileage
19,125 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 8, 2011

WHEN STARTING AND SHUTTING OFF THE MOTORCYCLE, THERE TENDS TO BE A LOUD CLUNK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED THIS BIKE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2010. I HAVE ALL OF THE SERVICE DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS BIKE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE. JUST RECENTLY, I HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE BIKE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THE STARTER MOTOR WOULD JUST SPIN AND WHINE, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I REMOVED THE STARTER MOTOR AND LOOKED AT IT, AND INSIDE, THERE ARE 4 BRUSHES. ONE BRUSH WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WORN TO NOTHING. I REPLACED THE STARTER MOTOR, AND THE SAME ISSUE EXISTED. THE STARTER MOTOR WOULD JUST SPIN AND NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER. I TOOK THE BIKE TO A LOCAL MOTORCYCLE SHOP, AND THEY OPENED UP THE LEFT ENGINE CASE AND LOOKED AT ALL OF THE STARTER CLUTCH GEARS AND FOUND THAT THE STARTER CLUTCH (OR SLIPPER CLUTCH) AS THEY CALLED IT WAS SHOT. THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A KIT THAT YAMAHA HAS TO SPECIFICALLY FIX THIS KICK BACK CLUNK ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS, NOW I NEED TO PAY AROUND $800 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A PRETTY WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THIS SERIES OF BIKES. I THINK YAMAHA SHOULD EITHER RECALL THE BIKES AND FIX THIS ISSUE, OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSE I NEED TO INCUR REGARING THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10405560
Incident
May 25, 2011
Mileage
20,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 8, 2010

THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 YAMAHA V STAR 1100 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE WITH APPROX. 74,000 MILES.THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT WERE JUST NORMAL RIDING CONDITIONS FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE TIP OF THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT SHEARED OFF WITH THE NUT THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE, WITH ALL OF THE BREAKAGE OCCURRING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT. THIS DEFECT COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVE SHAFT JAMMING UP AND CAUSING SERIOUS HARM AND QUITE POSSIBLY DEATH FROM AN ACCIDENT. THUS FAR YAMAHA HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE. IT IS A VERY COSTLY AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR INVOLVING BASICALLY DISASSEMBLING THE BIKE TO GET AT THE BROKEN PART. THE COMPLETE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND $2000.00. AND IF THEY ARE REPLACING WITH THE SAME YAMAHA OEM PARTS I WOULD IMAGINE THE RISK IS THERE FOR THE FAILURE TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND ADDRESSED BY YAMAHA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10348027
Incident
Jul 30, 2010
Mileage
74,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 2, 2010
Crash reported

HAD THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT BOLT SHEAR OFF MY 1100 V STAR. AS A RESULT OF THE BOLT SHEARING OF FOR NO APPARENT REASON IT LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE,LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY KILLED MYSELF !!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10334196
Incident
May 24, 2010
Mileage
25,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 23, 2010

WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AROUND 30MPH ,,,ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD AND DEVELOPED A WHINE (SOUNDED LIKE TIRE WHINE)., COULD ONLY HEAR IT DURING DECELERATION. NOISE GRADUALLY GOT LOUDER. LOUD CRUNCH WAS HEARD WHEN NUT HOLDING U-JOINT TO MIDDLE GEAR DISLODGED AND BUSTED SPEEDO PICKUP. I AM A TECHNICAL MECHANIC FOR A CAR BIG CAR COMPANY ....SO AS SOON AS I COULD TAKE IT BACK TO MY SHOP ,,,, I STARTED A DIAGNOSED OF THE PROBLEM....IT TOOK 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO FIND THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVE PINION SHAFT (MIDDLE SHAFT) .. THE JOB STARTED ...SO I TOOK IT A PART AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MIDDLE SHAFT AT THE NUT WAS SHEARED OFF (BROKEN OFF TOTALLY) ....IT IS A VERY ENORMOUS JOB TO GET TO THAT GEAR AND CHANGE IT ....I HAVE TO TAKE THE DRIVE SHAFT OFF... AND EVERY THINGS AROUND THE ENGINE AND FINALLY TAKE THE ENGINE OFF THE MAIN FRAME OF THE BIKE TO GET TO THAT GEAR....AND EVENTUALLY I HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART ,,,SPLIT THE ENGINE TO CHANGE THAT DRIVE GEAR...... FURTHERMORE ,,,,I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY......GOOD LUCK THAT I WAS GOING SLOW ......I TAKE YAMAHA RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT ON MY MOTORBIKE ...ALSO THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THAT DEFECTIVE PART OF THE BIKE .....I HOPE THAT ALL THE BIKERS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE FOR THE REPAIRS AND TO MAKE THE BIKE SAFE FOR THE ROAD..... *TR

NHTSA ID
10331867
Incident
May 22, 2010
Mileage
28,273 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2009

I OWN A 02 YAMAHA VSTAR 1100 CLASSICA AND IT'S HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT YEARS PRIOR TO 2003 THAT THE STARTER AND STARTER CLUTCH WILL FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. THIS WOULD NORMALLY RUN OVER 800 DOLLARS TO REPLACE AT THE DEALER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALOT TO THESE BIKES AND SOME HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL OF GETTING THE PARTS FOR FREE FROM THE DEALER BUT MANY HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY LIKE MYSELF. IF ONE DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS FOR ON CUSTOMER THEN THIS SHOULD BE DONE TO EVERY BIKE THAT NEEDS THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT THE BIKES MADE AFTER 03 DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT MANY OF US STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE SO EVERYONE GETS THIS DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED? WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10255938
Incident
Nov 2, 2007
Mileage
3,500 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Yamaha XVS11 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008300—
2007200—
2006400—
2005920—
2004120—
2003320—
2002Viewing132047.1
2001020—
2000020—
1999020—
1998020—
1997010—
1996010—

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.