RoadVitals

2001 Yamaha Yzf-R1

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.
1
Latest Dec 11, 2025
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 Apr 1, 2014
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2001 Yamaha Yzf-R1, most frequently naming the engine category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Engine1100.0%

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
14E012000

EQUIPMENT; STEERING

Apr 1, 2014
2,827 units potentially affected
The defect: Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.
The risk: If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.
The remedy: Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.
Ohlins Racing ABView on NHTSA.gov
08E052000

EQUIPMENT

Aug 15, 2008
10,000 units potentially affected
The defect: MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKE LEVER. THE LEVER CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE MARKING "JY 378" AT THE BASE OF THE LEVER NEAR THE PIVOT BUSHING.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.
MOTION PRO, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 2025

The problem is the oil pump has a chain that stretches over time and gets stuck causing the motor and back tire to seize. ON or about 12/31/2012 I was riding my 2001 Yamaha r1 down the 10 freeway by the 10/57 incherchange. The oil pump chain had about 20k miles on it and stretched getting stuck on the gear teeth and causing the motor and rear tire on the Yamaha r1 to seize. Luckily I heard a voice in my head to pull over to the right lane and be prepared. So I locked up the rear tire and motor and then slid on my tires to the shoulder with out being struck by the vehicles behind me luckily. (there was a huge semi behind me at the time) I looked up this design and I found that all Japanese and some Europe bikes have this design flaw in their motor. The Ducati has a gear to gear oil pump so its better and safer than the Japanese sport bikes. I also did some research on the Porsche Panamera and that has a similar design chain driven oil pump but it has a tensioner on it to prevent stretching and lock up

NHTSA ID
11704392
Incident
Dec 31, 2012

Manufacturer communications

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

TB-M2009-008

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE: HARD TO START WHEN COLD, ERRATIC, OR WON'T IDLE. A POSSIBLE CAUSE IS INSUFFICIENT VALVE CLEARANCE. EFFECTS ALL YZF-R6V/W/X MODELS AND YZF-R1/R6 MODELS. NO MODEL 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 Yzf-R1 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021000—
2020100—
2019000—
2018000—
2017000—
2016000—
2015111032.7
2013110—
2012010—
2011210—
2010010—
2009210—
2008310—
2007901037.3
2006102045.0
2005941—
2004373156.8
2003220—
2002120—
2001Viewing120—
2000020—
1999220—
1998320—

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.