RoadVitals

2003 Yamaha XVS65

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.
5
Latest Sep 30, 2016
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Yamaha XVS65, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), body & structure and transmission 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

  • Powertrain (other)466.7%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2016

REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR IS NOT LUBRICATED WITH GREASE DURING INITIAL ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATION OF THIS GEAR IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY. THIS OVERSIGHT CAUSES THE GEAR TO SLOWLY WEAR AWAY OVER TIME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN. IF THIS OCCURS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM TO YAMAHA, YET THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THIS DEFICIENCY OR MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. AT THE TIME WHEN MY PINION GEAR FAILED, I WAS IN MOTION AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD MOMENTUM PLACED ME IN THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE WHICH, FORTUNATELY, WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND AVOID A COLLISION. THE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOWS THE DEFECTIVE PART, WHICH IS THE RUSTED PIECE IN THE CENTER OF THE GRAY COLORED HOUSING.

NHTSA ID
10910882
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Mileage
12,800 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 3, 2013

AS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD BACK TO MY HOTEL, MY MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO LOAD IT ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT BACK HOME TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND A GEAR IN MY FINAL DRIVE HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN. THE PART HAS MADE MY MOTORCYCLE INOPERABLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A LONG RIDE HOME, THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522989
Incident
Jun 28, 2013
Mileage
4,052 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 12, 2010

YAMAHA XVS 650 DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER FAILS. COULD CAUSE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL. FACTORY DOES NOT LUBRICATE PART AT DURING ASSEMBLY AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNER TO LUBRICATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OWNERS. THIS HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT A MAJOR INCIDENT. YAMAHA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319363
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Mileage
27,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 6, 2009

I PURCHASED A USED V-STAR MOTORCYCLE AND, AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF RIDING IT, THE PIECE THAT WAS USED TO SECURE MY PEDAL SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY. AFTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM I REALIZED THAT THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE IS WELDED AND NOT BOLTED ON. I HAD TO RIDE IT HOME IN SECOND GEAR AFTER ANOTHER BIKER HELPED ME POP IT IN GEAR. I TALKED WITH A YAMAHA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY IS UP SO THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW THAT MAKES THIS MODEL VERY UNSAFE TO RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275890
Incident
May 10, 2009
Mileage
13,500 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Aug 21, 2006

A NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS SHOWS YAMAHA IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM BUT THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE WILLING TO DO---I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THESE BIKES 2003 650 VSTAR--- TO SAVE LIVES BECAUSE OF THE HIDDEN PROBLEM OF THE DRIVE TRAIN--- TO REPAIR THIS BIKE THE ENTIRE DRIVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $775.00 AND THANKFULLY THAT WAS ALL-- CONSIDERING MY 15 YEAR OLD WAS ON THE BIKE WITH ME AT TIME OF FAILURE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER-THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAYBE SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

NHTSA ID
10166182
Incident
Jul 30, 2006
Mileage
15,315 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Yamaha XVS65 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010000—
2009400—
2008000—
2007300—
2006200—
2005120—
2004420—
2003Viewing520—
2002120—
2001120—
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.