2014 Yamaha XVS950 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Yamaha XVS950, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical436.4%
- Driver assistance327.3%
- Engine218.2%
- Powertrain (other)19.1%
- Steering19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN RIDING INTO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR ODOMETER. *TR
SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE READ IN SUNLIGHT, IT IS BLACKED OUT. IT IS DANGEROUS AS SPEED CANNOT BE DETERMINED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed. As this bike is a daily driver for myself, I'm needing to look to the aftermarket to keep myself and others safe. Yamaha knows this is an issue given the 2015 model's new version. All 2014 bolts continue to suffer from this issue.
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MOTORCYCLE IS ALMOST INDECIPHERABLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY WASHES OUT DURING THE DAYTIME. THE ENGINEERS COVERED A LOW CONTRAST BLACK AND GRAY DIGITAL DISPLAY WITH A DARK TINT. THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY ADDITION AND CONTRIBUTES TO CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR RIDERS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DRIVE BELT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ CARFAX: VIN PROVIDED HAS NO DISPLAYABLE RECORDS. UPDATED 7/5/18*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CONCERN IS THE DEATH WOBBLE THE BIKE HAS WHEN AT SPEEDS AROUND 45 MPH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .