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2014 Yamaha Bolt problems

Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 2014 Yamaha Bolt with NHTSA between 2013 and 2021. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Yamaha Bolt All 2014 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

104

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

97 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

99%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What breaks on a 2014 Yamaha Bolt

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 56 53.8%

Median failure at 50 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 23 22.1%

Median failure at 350 miles

Lights 7 6.7%

Median failure at 1,615 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 5.8%

Median failure at 2,878 miles

Other & Unspecified 5 4.8%

Median failure at 1,005 miles

Steering 3 2.9%

Median failure at 1,950 miles

Body & Structure 2 1.9%

Median failure at 247 miles

Wheels 1 1.0%

Median failure at 1,600 miles

Suspension 1 1.0%

Median failure at 1,600 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Instrument Cluster/Panel 22 95.7%
Body 1 4.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 59 72.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 21 25.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 1.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 1.2%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2013 peak 10 Apr 2021

Recalls on the 2014 Yamaha Bolt

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

13V298000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Yamaha Motor Company (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2014 XVS950CU (Bolt) motorcycles manufactured March 2013 through June 2013. Slack or sag in the wiring harness may allow it to contact the exhaust manifold causing the wires to melt, and possibly short circuit.

Risk: If the wires short circuit, the fuses will blow which may cause the engine to stall. An engine stall while riding, increases the risk of a crash.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2013246 626 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain motorcycles, a wire harness may have been routed too close to the rear exhaust and could be damaged due to heat. This could result in engine stalling and a loss of vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the rider's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install retaining bands to position the wire harness away from the exhaust.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 4,500 miles NEW York, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE METER IS DANGEROUSLY DIM. NOT VISIBLE DURING DAYLIGHT DUE TO GLARE. ONLY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MODELS ENCOUNTER THIS ISSUE. THE SPEED CAN NOT BE DETERMINED WHILE RIDING NOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON THE METER.

NHTSA complaint #11414546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles NEW York, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

VEHICLE METER IS DANGEROUSLY DIM. NOT VISIBLE DURING DAYLIGHT DUE TO GLARE. ONLY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MODELS ENCOUNTER THIS ISSUE. THE SPEED CAN NOT BE DETERMINED WHILE RIDING NOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON THE METER.

NHTSA complaint #11414546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles NEW York, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

VEHICLE METER IS DANGEROUSLY DIM. NOT VISIBLE DURING DAYLIGHT DUE TO GLARE. ONLY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MODELS ENCOUNTER THIS ISSUE. THE SPEED CAN NOT BE DETERMINED WHILE RIDING NOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON THE METER.

NHTSA complaint #11414546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,500 miles Austin, TX

STEERING

DEATH WOBBLE- STEERING INSTABILITY AT 35-45 MPH. THIS COULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER BY USING TAPERED STEERING BEARINGS

NHTSA complaint #11365921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Paso, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPEEDOMETER CAN'T BE SEEN WHEN TRAVELING INTO THE SUN OR ANY TIME THE SUN IS AT THE WRONG ANGLE THAT IT CREATES A NON READABLE DISPLAY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ALMOST ANY TIME THE SUN IS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR SPEED AS WELL AS POSSIBLY CAUSING SPEEDING TICKETS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE WITH A RECALL. SERIOUSLY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11128017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Paso, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPEEDOMETER CAN'T BE SEEN WHEN TRAVELING INTO THE SUN OR ANY TIME THE SUN IS AT THE WRONG ANGLE THAT IT CREATES A NON READABLE DISPLAY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ALMOST ANY TIME THE SUN IS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR SPEED AS WELL AS POSSIBLY CAUSING SPEEDING TICKETS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE WITH A RECALL. SERIOUSLY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11128017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newmanstown, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SPEEDOMETER CAN'T BE SEEN WHEN TRAVELING INTO THE SUN OR ANY TIME THE SUN IS AT THE WRONG ANGLE THAT IT CREATES A NON READABLE DISPLAY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ALMOST ANY TIME THE SUN IS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR SPEED AS WELL AS POSSIBLY CAUSING SPEEDING TICKETS.

NHTSA complaint #10967154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,950 miles RED Rock, AZ

STEERING

MY CONCERN IS THE DEATH WOBBLE THE BIKE HAS WHEN AT SPEEDS AROUND 45 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10947988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,700 miles Orlando, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DURING THE DAY OR WHEN THE SUN IS BRIGHT I CAN NOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READING. ITS DIGITAL AND THERE ISN'T MUCH CONTRAST SO I CANT SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS CAN CAUSE ME TO CHECK MY SPEED FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME AND CAN CAUSE A SPEEDING VIOLATION OR ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, ITS TOO DIM.

NHTSA complaint #10939106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Delaware, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BIKE SPEEDOMETER HAS AN ISSUE WHERE THE SPEED DISPLAY IS WAY TOO DIM TO SEE IN SUNLIGHT. IN THE RIGHT SUNLIGHT POSITION, IT IS COMPLETELY BLACK AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ WITHOUT LITERALLY PUTTING YOUR HEAD INCHES FROM IT AND LOOKING AT IT FAR TOO LONG TO TRY TO MAKE ANYTHING OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHILE IN MOTION FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. THIS HAPPENS ON EVERY RIDE FOR ME AT MULTIPLE POINTS DEPENDING ON WHERE THE SUN IS. EVEN WHEN I CAN SEE THE NUMBERS, IT'S STILL TOO DIM FOR JUST A QUICK GLANCE. THERE MUST BE SOME BADLY ENGINEERED POLARIZED LENS IN THERE. THIS IS POOR DESIGN AND A SAFETY HAZARD JUST TO GET A "BLACKED OUT" LOOK. BY 2015 YAMAHA KNOWS THIS WHICH IS WHY IT'S FIXED FROM 2015 MODELS ON. SOME GUYS ARE EVEN BUYING 2015 SPEEDOMETERS TO INSTALL ON THE 2014 BIKE TO FIX THIS. A SPEEDING TICKET IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES, THIS IS MY LIFE AND A GAMBLE EVERY TIME I RIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10938974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Delaware, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BIKE SPEEDOMETER HAS AN ISSUE WHERE THE SPEED DISPLAY IS WAY TOO DIM TO SEE IN SUNLIGHT. IN THE RIGHT SUNLIGHT POSITION, IT IS COMPLETELY BLACK AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ WITHOUT LITERALLY PUTTING YOUR HEAD INCHES FROM IT AND LOOKING AT IT FAR TOO LONG TO TRY TO MAKE ANYTHING OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHILE IN MOTION FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. THIS HAPPENS ON EVERY RIDE FOR ME AT MULTIPLE POINTS DEPENDING ON WHERE THE SUN IS. EVEN WHEN I CAN SEE THE NUMBERS, IT'S STILL TOO DIM FOR JUST A QUICK GLANCE. THERE MUST BE SOME BADLY ENGINEERED POLARIZED LENS IN THERE. THIS IS POOR DESIGN AND A SAFETY HAZARD JUST TO GET A "BLACKED OUT" LOOK. BY 2015 YAMAHA KNOWS THIS WHICH IS WHY IT'S FIXED FROM 2015 MODELS ON. SOME GUYS ARE EVEN BUYING 2015 SPEEDOMETERS TO INSTALL ON THE 2014 BIKE TO FIX THIS. A SPEEDING TICKET IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES, THIS IS MY LIFE AND A GAMBLE EVERY TIME I RIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10938974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Altoona, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT R SPEC, THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE AT NIGHT AND IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ DURING SUNNY DAYLIGHT HOURS. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS OR HER EYES OFF OF THE ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN ATTEMPT TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER TO REMAIN AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCES OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. THE NEWER MODEL BOLT (2015-PRESENT) HAS FIXED THIS ISSUE HOWEVER YAMAHA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR REACHED OUT TO THE 2014 BOLT OWNERS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE THE POOR MANUFACTURED SPEEDOMETER.

NHTSA complaint #10896490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,300 miles Warminster, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN RIDING THE YAMAHA BOLT TOWARDS THE SUN, THE SPEEDOMETER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. BECAUSE OF THE POSITIONING OF THE SPEEDOMETER, AND THE GRAPHIC INTERFACE THAT IS USED, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THIS HAS CAUSED ME GREAT DIFFICULTY WHILE RIDING. IF I CANNOT READ MY SPEED ACCURATELY, I HAVE NO IDEA OF MY RATE OF TRAVEL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND POSES RISK TO MYSELF, MY PROPERTY, AND THOSE SURROUNDING ME. THIS SPECIFICALLY HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION, RIDING TOWARDS THE SUN.

NHTSA complaint #10854603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,800 miles Riverside, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY THE SPEEDOMETER IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO READ TO TO THE SUN SHINING ON TO IT . IT TAKES YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AND YOU SOMETIMES HAVE TO USE YOUR HAND TO COVER THE SPEEDOMETER TO SEE THE NUMBERS WITH IN ITSELF IS UNSAFE WHEN RIDING A MOTORCYCLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10851693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2 miles Richland, WA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. I HOPE NHTSA WILL REQUIRE YAMAHA TO REPLACE ALL AFFECTED SPEEDOMETERS AS IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW. IT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM, THE MOTORCYCLE ARRIVED IN THIS CONDITION. I HAVE TALKED TO YAMAHA AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE CONDITION (MANY COMPLAINTS) BUT THEY ARE CHOOSING NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10837872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 350 miles Yantis, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, I CAN NOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. IT IS A BLACK CIRCLE. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHETHER THE SUN IS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME. THIS IS A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS WILL CAUSE ME TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET OR, WORSE, GET INTO A CRASH BECAUSE I CAN NOT JUDGE MY SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10811998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,045 miles Woodstock, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CANNOT SEE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT, DIGITAL DISPLAY DISAPPEARS. FAILURE TO SEE TRAVEL SPEED. WAS PULLED OVER FOR 68MPH IN A 60MPH IN THE AFTERNOON SUN. ONLY A WARNING... BUT NEXT TIME MAYBE NOT SO LUCKY....

NHTSA complaint #10810783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4 miles Windom, MN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT VISABLE AT ALL WHILE RIDING INTO THE SUN

NHTSA complaint #10779533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Lake Charles, LA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA BOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIGITAL ODOMETER WAS NOT VIEWABLE DURING THE DAYLIGHT DUE TO A GLARE. AS A RESULT, THE SPEED WAS NOT MONITORED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10763590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 950 miles Grand Forks, ND

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE CURRENT SPEED IN DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS AND CREATES AN INABILITY TO KNOW YOUR CURRENT SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10747456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95 miles Indio, CA

STRUCTURE

WHEN RIDING IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT IT WAS HARD TO SEE MY DRIVING SPEED. I WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE ONE HAND FROM HANDLEBARS TO SHADE THE SPEEDOMETER TO BE ABLE TO SEE, GIVING ME LESS CONTROL. IT CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST I WAS GOING AND IF I WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH POSTED SPEED LIMITS. UPDATED 09/17/15

NHTSA complaint #10733341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95 miles Indio, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

WHEN RIDING IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT IT WAS HARD TO SEE MY DRIVING SPEED. I WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE ONE HAND FROM HANDLEBARS TO SHADE THE SPEEDOMETER TO BE ABLE TO SEE, GIVING ME LESS CONTROL. IT CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST I WAS GOING AND IF I WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH POSTED SPEED LIMITS. UPDATED 09/17/15

NHTSA complaint #10733341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57 miles Rapid City, SD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY MOTORCYCLE I NOTICED THAT WHEN IT IS BRIGHT OUTSIDE I CAN NOT READ MY SPEEDOMETER. THERE IS A BIG BLACK CIRCLE WITH NO WAY FOR ME TO SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO LEAN FORWARD, CHANGE BODY POSITIONS AND COVER THE SPEEDOMETER WITH MY HAND TO SEE IT AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVEN FROM A FEW INCHES AWAY FROM IT. THIS POSES A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. TO MY KNOWLEDGE ALL VEHICLES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A WORKING SPEEDOMETER AND THIS MOTORCYCLE'S SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS PART OF THE TIME. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE RIDING IN THE HILLS WHEN IT'S A BRIGHT DAY AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS CURVES THAT REQUIRE YOU TO SLOW DOWN FROM 45 OR 50 MPH TO LESS THAN 30 MPH TO SAFELY NAVIGATE THE CURVES. IT IS EXTREMELY EASY TO MISJUDGE YOUR SPEED FOR THESE CURVES BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING A COUPLE TIMES AND OTHER TIMES I ABOUT GOT RAN OVER BECAUSE I SLOWED DOWN TO MUCH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10731364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400 miles Edwardsville, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE SPEEDOMETER SCREEN IS UNREADABLE AND IS A HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10730752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2 miles North Kingstown, RI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE RIDING THE YAMAHA BOLT DURING THE DAYTIME IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER DUE TO GLARE. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS DUE TO THE GLASS OVER THE LCD ITSELF, BUT UNLESS I TAKE MY EYES OFF OF THE ROAD AND COVER THE GLASS WITH MY HAND I CANNOT GET AN ACCURATE VIEW OF MY SPEED. THIS LEAVES ME VULNERABLE TO ACCIDENTS, SPEEDING TICKETS AND MANY OTHER SITUATIONS THAT ARE DUE TO THIS DISTRACTION. I HOPE YAMAHA WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

NHTSA complaint #10730328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.