RoadVitals

2008 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.
3
Latest Sep 15, 2015
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.
1
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Yamaha Yzf-R1, most frequently naming the engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Engine266.7%
  • Electrical133.3%

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

1 campaign 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2015

THE MAGNETS INSIDE ROTOR GENERATOR COME LOOSE AND BROKE

NHTSA ID
10763915
Incident
Sep 10, 2015
Mileage
26,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 YAMAHA YZFR1. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND HE HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER HE OPERATED THE VEHICLE SO IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10364037
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
600 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 9, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 YAMAHA YZFR1 MOTORCYCLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION THERE WAS A LOUD TICKING AND KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DURING THE TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE ENGINE FAILURE SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/27/10

NHTSA ID
10348121
Incident
Mar 7, 2008

Manufacturer communications

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

TB-M-2014-003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

YAMAHA MC: WHEN LOOKING FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION, A COMPREHENSIVE INDEX IS PROVIDED REGARDING TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. *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—
2008Viewing310—
2007901037.3
2006102045.0
2005941—
2004373156.8
2003220—
2002120—
2001120—
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.