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.
Fuel Injection System
945.0%
Delivery
525.0%
Delivery
210.0%
Engine
210.0%
Fuel Injection System
15.0%
Ignition
15.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
26.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
2374.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
619.4%
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.
Apr 2005peak 7Feb 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Yamaha FZ6
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE06020Opened 23 May 2006Closed 5 Oct 2006FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
OPERATORS REPORT THE MOTORCYCLE STALLS WHEN ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE (E.G., TIP-OUT STALL WHILE APPROACHING A STOP) ALLEGEDLY DUE TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS).TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION, YAMAHA IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSTALL AN IMPROVED TPS.
Recalls on the 2004 Yamaha FZ6
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
14E012000
EQUIPMENT
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.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 3,000 milesGreendale, WICrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
YAMAHA 2004 FZ6 BIKE RUNS GOOD FOR A WHILE, AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOSES 90 % OF ITS POWER, I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF, THEN BACK ON TO REGAIN POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC, ONE TIME THIS HAPPEN I GAVE IT TO MUCH GAS TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC ,AND I FLIPPED THE BIKE OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT WAS MY LUCKY DAY NOBODY RAN OVER ME. LOOKING AT THIS WEB SITE , THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER FZ6 RIDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE ASKED 4 YAMAHA DEALERS IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAID NO? WELL THEY SURE DO BY LOOKING ON THIS WEB,I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS THOUGH OTHERS ON THIS SITE, AND A FACTORY RECALL IS NEEDED! SOMEONE GOING TO DIE IF NOT ALREADY THAT WE KNOW OF BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10169691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,800 milesTroutville, VACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 9M MILES, MY 2004 YAMAHA FZ6 BEGAN TO EXHIBIT THE FOLLOWING: 1) AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF OPERATION, ERRATIC AND PROLONGED PERIODS OF ROUGH IDLE AT 500 RPMS INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 1300 RPMS 2) MOTOR WOULD STALL DURING GEAR CHANGES, EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 3) DURING THESE TIMES, THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS NOTICEABLE. CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT THEY SOON REAPPEARED. AT 12M MILES, THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO THE YAMAHA DEALER TO BE FIXED BUT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WENT NEXT TO AN INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC WHO ALSO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HE SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND COULD BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. HE ALSO QUESTIONED IF THE "CHECK-ENGINE" LIGHT HAD COME ON WHICH WOULD HAVE REGISTERED SPECIFIC TROUBLE CODES, BUT I TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD NOT. AT 12800 MILES, WHILE PULLING ONTO THE ROADWAY, THE BIKE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY IN A TURN AT LOW SPEED, LOCKED THE BACK TIRE AND WENT DOWN. I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND THE BIKE LOST A MIRROR, FOOT PEG, FRONT FAIRING, AND GENERALLY GOT BUMMED UP. SINCE THEN, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF "THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR" DEFECTS THAT HAVE CREATED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF MOTORCYCLE. AND YET, THE DEALERS SEEM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT! INSTALLING A NEW TPS MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT FOR NOW I'M STUCK WITH A BIKE THAT I CAN'T TRUST, HAS LITTLE RESALE OR TRADE-IN VALUE, AND PROBABLY ISN'T SAFE TO RIDE. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS AND SIMILAR SOUNDING COMPLAINTS, THIS MAY WELL BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10157688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesKing OF Prussia, PACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2004 YAMAHA FZ6 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE WARMS UP (APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES OF RIDING), IT WILL STALL OUT AND/OR SPUTTER WHEN THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED AND/OR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. LAST JULY IT STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIGHT HAND TURN AROUND A RED LIGHT, RESULTING IN THE BACK TIRE LOOSING TRACTION AND CAUSING A CRASH. I WAS MINIMALLY INJURED, BUT THE BIKE SUFFERED SOME EXTERIOR DAMAGE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THIS PART WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH MOST OWNERS OF THE 2004-05 FZ6.
NHTSA complaint #10153797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,834 milesFlushing, NYCrash1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
MOTORCYCLE'S IDLE RPMS CHANGE ABRUPTLY, TO THE POINT OF STALLING WHEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS ABRUPT CHANGE WAS THE SOURCE OF A REAR END COLLISION. THE BIKE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN PREVIOUSLY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT NO CORRECTIVE MEASURES WHERE TAKEN, AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE SYMPTOMS CORRELATE WITH THOSE OF OTHER FZ6 USERS AND HAS BEEN LINKED TO A FAULTY TPS.
NHTSA complaint #10147316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mckinney, TXCrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
'94 FZ6 - 5,000 MILES. THE BIKE HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. NOW IT CAN BE RUNNING AT A STEADY 3000-4500 RPM ON THE HIGHWAY AND START TO STUMBLE OR CUTOUT. I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER AND CUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO STOP. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER IT WANTS, NO WARNING OR REASON. IT STALLED ONCE WHILE I WAS ON THE WAY TO WORK AND I DROPPED THE BIKE BEFORE I COULD CATCH IT. I'VE HAD FRIENDS TELL ME THAT IT IS A TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR), BUT THE MOTORCYCLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IN TO BE CHECKED. THAT WOULD BE ALMOST $100 AND THEY MAY NOT FIND IT.
NHTSA complaint #10135675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,550 milesOldsmar, FL1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BIKE STALLS WHEN CLUTCH IS PULLED IN. RPM'S DROP TO ZERO. WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WHEN ENGINE STALLS. INJURED MYSELF (FOOT/ANKLE) WHEN TRYING TO PUSH THE BIKE OFF THE ROAD (SO I WOULDN'T BE RUN OVER). I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MANY FZ6 RIDERS THAT MANY OF THE FZ6 BIKES HAVE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSORS (TPS) AND THAT YAMAHA HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. SOONER OR LATER, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET RUN OVER BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10132562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Modesto, CA
POWER TRAIN
Front drive shaft, chain sprocket ‘Nut/lock washer’ has came loose and fell off on the highway. Could have locked the chain around the wheel and cause a major crash, also could have severely damaged the engine casing. It damaged the rear swing arm and a piece piece near the stater. I replaced the nut & locking washer tab, exact replacement only To have the same issue just I didn’t allow it to spin off since I was aware of this happening. I replaced the second one with a different style but same locking washer tab same issue it comes loose within 8 to 10miles. The nut is torqued to spec as stated by Yamaha. Iv reached out to several places including Yamaha and cannot seem to find a solution. Iv joined motorcycle forums and read people with same issue I’m having and wow am I lucky one. But they have had replacement parts and labor performed because of a safety recall of the issue. Why can I not get this resolved I have no clue what els to do.!! Please help
NHTSA complaint #11506635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Front drive shaft, chain sprocket ‘Nut/lock washer’ has came loose and fell off on the highway. Could have locked the chain around the wheel and cause a major crash, also could have severely damaged the engine casing. It damaged the rear swing arm and a piece piece near the stater. I replaced the nut & locking washer tab, exact replacement only To have the same issue just I didn’t allow it to spin off since I was aware of this happening. I replaced the second one with a different style but same locking washer tab same issue it comes loose within 8 to 10miles. The nut is torqued to spec as stated by Yamaha. Iv reached out to several places including Yamaha and cannot seem to find a solution. Iv joined motorcycle forums and read people with same issue I’m having and wow am I lucky one. But they have had replacement parts and labor performed because of a safety recall of the issue. Why can I not get this resolved I have no clue what els to do.!! Please help
NHTSA complaint #11506635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front drive shaft, chain sprocket ‘Nut/lock washer’ has came loose and fell off on the highway. Could have locked the chain around the wheel and cause a major crash, also could have severely damaged the engine casing. It damaged the rear swing arm and a piece piece near the stater. I replaced the nut & locking washer tab, exact replacement only To have the same issue just I didn’t allow it to spin off since I was aware of this happening. I replaced the second one with a different style but same locking washer tab same issue it comes loose within 8 to 10miles. The nut is torqued to spec as stated by Yamaha. Iv reached out to several places including Yamaha and cannot seem to find a solution. Iv joined motorcycle forums and read people with same issue I’m having and wow am I lucky one. But they have had replacement parts and labor performed because of a safety recall of the issue. Why can I not get this resolved I have no clue what els to do.!! Please help
NHTSA complaint #11506635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesGreendale, WICrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
YAMAHA 2004 FZ6 BIKE RUNS GOOD FOR A WHILE, AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOSES 90 % OF ITS POWER, I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF, THEN BACK ON TO REGAIN POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC, ONE TIME THIS HAPPEN I GAVE IT TO MUCH GAS TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC ,AND I FLIPPED THE BIKE OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT WAS MY LUCKY DAY NOBODY RAN OVER ME. LOOKING AT THIS WEB SITE , THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER FZ6 RIDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE ASKED 4 YAMAHA DEALERS IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAID NO? WELL THEY SURE DO BY LOOKING ON THIS WEB,I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS THOUGH OTHERS ON THIS SITE, AND A FACTORY RECALL IS NEEDED! SOMEONE GOING TO DIE IF NOT ALREADY THAT WE KNOW OF BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10169691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesSAN Marcos, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTORCYCLE SHUTS OFF AFTER REDUCING THROTTLE DURING DECELERATION AND DURING SHIFTING. MANY RIDERS OF THE SAME MODEL MOTORCYCLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE BIKE IS W/O POWER AND SOMETIMES DURING DOWNSHIFTING THE REAR TIRE LOSES TRACTION AND CAUSES THE BIKE TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10161468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesWheeling, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
(1) NO UNUSUAL EVENTS. (2) THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED CAUSING POOR GAS MILEAGE, STALLS, AND HESITATION. (3) REPLACED TPS AT A COST OF $215.
NHTSA complaint #10159712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,800 milesTroutville, VACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 9M MILES, MY 2004 YAMAHA FZ6 BEGAN TO EXHIBIT THE FOLLOWING: 1) AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF OPERATION, ERRATIC AND PROLONGED PERIODS OF ROUGH IDLE AT 500 RPMS INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 1300 RPMS 2) MOTOR WOULD STALL DURING GEAR CHANGES, EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 3) DURING THESE TIMES, THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS NOTICEABLE. CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT THEY SOON REAPPEARED. AT 12M MILES, THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO THE YAMAHA DEALER TO BE FIXED BUT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WENT NEXT TO AN INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC WHO ALSO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HE SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND COULD BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. HE ALSO QUESTIONED IF THE "CHECK-ENGINE" LIGHT HAD COME ON WHICH WOULD HAVE REGISTERED SPECIFIC TROUBLE CODES, BUT I TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD NOT. AT 12800 MILES, WHILE PULLING ONTO THE ROADWAY, THE BIKE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY IN A TURN AT LOW SPEED, LOCKED THE BACK TIRE AND WENT DOWN. I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND THE BIKE LOST A MIRROR, FOOT PEG, FRONT FAIRING, AND GENERALLY GOT BUMMED UP. SINCE THEN, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF "THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR" DEFECTS THAT HAVE CREATED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF MOTORCYCLE. AND YET, THE DEALERS SEEM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT! INSTALLING A NEW TPS MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT FOR NOW I'M STUCK WITH A BIKE THAT I CAN'T TRUST, HAS LITTLE RESALE OR TRADE-IN VALUE, AND PROBABLY ISN'T SAFE TO RIDE. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS AND SIMILAR SOUNDING COMPLAINTS, THIS MAY WELL BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10157688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesKing OF Prussia, PACrash1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE 2004 YAMAHA FZ6 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE WARMS UP (APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES OF RIDING), IT WILL STALL OUT AND/OR SPUTTER WHEN THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED AND/OR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. LAST JULY IT STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIGHT HAND TURN AROUND A RED LIGHT, RESULTING IN THE BACK TIRE LOOSING TRACTION AND CAUSING A CRASH. I WAS MINIMALLY INJURED, BUT THE BIKE SUFFERED SOME EXTERIOR DAMAGE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THIS PART WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH MOST OWNERS OF THE 2004-05 FZ6.
NHTSA complaint #10153797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,840 milesSanta Rosa, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY
VEHICLE: 2004 YAMAHA FZ6 MOTORCYCLE, PURCHASE NEW 12/93. INTERMITTENTLY, THE ENGINE SURGES, CUTS OUT, LUGS, STALLS/QUITS AT VARYING TIMES AND SPEEDS/RIDING SITUATIONS. STOPPING THE BIKE, TURNING IGNITION OFF AND ON TEMPORARILY CORRECTS PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM ALWAYS RECURS. DIFFERENT WEATHER TEMPERATURES AND FUEL GRADES HAVE NO POSITIVE EFFECT. BIKE MAY STALL AT AN INTERSECTION STOP, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING, ON STRAIGHT OR CORNERS, WHICH CAN BE TERRIFYING--NOT TO MENTION POTENTIALLY FATAL. NOTE: DATE LISTED BELOW IS ONLY THE MOST RECENT--PROBLEM OCCURS ON ALMOST EVERY RIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10153851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesCelebration, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE MOTORCYCLE HAD PROGRESSIVELY WORSE STALLING AT STOP-LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. AT TIMES THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD STUTTER AND STALL WHEN TRYING TO INITIATE THE THROTTLE FROM A STOP, AND AT OTHER TIMES THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD RANDOMLY INCREASE SPEED WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE THROTTLE BECAME QUITE VARIOUS TO THE POINT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO RIDE IN TRAFFIC DUE TO NOT KNOWING HOW THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD REACT TO DIFFERENT THROTTLE INPUTS. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10149681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,834 milesFlushing, NYCrash1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
MOTORCYCLE'S IDLE RPMS CHANGE ABRUPTLY, TO THE POINT OF STALLING WHEN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS ABRUPT CHANGE WAS THE SOURCE OF A REAR END COLLISION. THE BIKE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN PREVIOUSLY TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT NO CORRECTIVE MEASURES WHERE TAKEN, AS THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE SYMPTOMS CORRELATE WITH THOSE OF OTHER FZ6 USERS AND HAS BEEN LINKED TO A FAULTY TPS.
NHTSA complaint #10147316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,500 milesColumbus, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MOTORCYCLE RANDOMLY WILL NOT IDLE AND STALLS BETWEEN SHIFTS. HAS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES. DEALER SAYS DESCRIBED SYMPTOMS CANNOT NOT BE DIAGNOSED WITHOUT FAULT CODES. FAULT CODES ARE NOT STORED UNLESS CERTAIN "IDIOTIC LIGHTS" COME ON DURING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10137517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,900 milesWebster, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
BIKE IDLE DROPS (600-850 RPM) WHEN CLUTCH PULLED IN CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AT RED LIGHTS, EXITING DRIVEWAYS ETC... POOR FUEL MILEAGE AND ROUGH IDLE. UPON CYCLING THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND ON, SYMPTOM WILL TEMPORARILY RECTIFY ITSELF ONLY TO RETURN LATER. I AM FEARFUL OF A REAR-END IMPACT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AT INTERSECTIONS AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THE "THROTTLE SENSOR ASSY" PART NO. 5FL-85885-05-00 IS THE MAJOR CULPRIT PER OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SAME SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #10136569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mckinney, TXCrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
'94 FZ6 - 5,000 MILES. THE BIKE HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. NOW IT CAN BE RUNNING AT A STEADY 3000-4500 RPM ON THE HIGHWAY AND START TO STUMBLE OR CUTOUT. I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER AND CUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT TO GET IT TO STOP. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER IT WANTS, NO WARNING OR REASON. IT STALLED ONCE WHILE I WAS ON THE WAY TO WORK AND I DROPPED THE BIKE BEFORE I COULD CATCH IT. I'VE HAD FRIENDS TELL ME THAT IT IS A TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR), BUT THE MOTORCYCLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IN TO BE CHECKED. THAT WOULD BE ALMOST $100 AND THEY MAY NOT FIND IT.
NHTSA complaint #10135675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,400 milesPortland, OR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TROTTLE CHUNKY/DELAYED/ERRATIC, MAKING MOTORCYCLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN CORNERS. STALLS AT STOPS, A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN CITY TRAFFIC. DOES NOT IDLE, I NEED TO KEEP THE THROTTLE SLIGHTLY ROLLED ON. RUNS ROUGH, SMELLS OF GAS, SEEMS TO MISS. PROBLEMS STARTED WITH THROTTLE DELAY AT 7000 MILES, STALLING STARTED AT 7400 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10135318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,615 milesHermosa Beach, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
RIDING HOME FROM WORK ON A 2004 YAMAHA FZ6, WITH JUST OVER 5K MILES ON IT. THE BIKE BEGAN TO SURGE BY ITSELF AND WOULD EITHER GO TO A FULL OPEN THROTTLE (WITHOUT ANY USER INPUT) OR WOULD HOLD A CONSTANT RPM (REGARDLESS OF USER INPUT). THE FIRST SURGE WAS VERY VIOLENT (WHEELIE STYLE THROTTLE INPUT) AND NEARLY KICKED ME OFF THE BACK. LOST GRIP WITH MY THROTTLE HAND, BUT WAS ABLE TO GRAB CLUTCH AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. VERY INCONSISTENT THROTTLE RESPONSE THE REST OF THE RIDE HOME (~4 MILES). SOUND FROM EXHAUST HAD ALSO DIES DOWN AND WAS VERY QUIET. UPON ARRIVAL AT HOME, I PARKED THE BIKE AND FELT THE EXHAUST AND IDLE - EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. UPON THE SLIGHTEST THROTTLE INPUT ABOVE IDLE, THERE WOULD BE NO PRESSURE FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE AIR AROUND THE EXHAUST WOULD BECOME INSTANTLY SUPER HEATED. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP (DEL AMO MOTORSPORTS) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NO ERRORS. HOW CAN THERE BE NO ERRORS WHEN THE BIKE DROVE AROUND WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN? THE BIKE IS STILL AT THE DEALER, WILL UPDATE THE REPORT LATER. HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE CHECKS, BIKE HAS BEEN DOING FINE, EXCEPT FOR A ROUGH IDLE, DIAGNOSED AS A TPS PROBLEM BY TEXAS YAMAHA SOUTH OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON, TX. THIS WAS DONE AROUND THE 700 AND AGAIN AROUND THE 1200 MILE MARK. PROBLEM (ASSOCIATED WITH TPS, AS DIAG. BY TYS) STOPPED AROUND 1400 MILES THEN SHOWED UP AROUND 4700 AND HAS BEEN DOING IT EVER SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10134992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1. BIKE STARTED AND WARMED UP FINE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF RIDING BIKE WAS IDLING VERY LOW AT A STOP SIGN (800-900 RPM). POWER DELIVERY WAS CHOPPY FROM A STOP ALSO. AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT THE BIKE STALLED, AND I NEEDED TO USE THE THROTTLE TO KEEP IT IDLING . I SHUT THE BIKE OFF AT SOME POINT, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE BIKE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. AFTER ABOUT 10 MORE MINUTES OF RIDING THE BIKE STALLED AT ANOTHER STOP LIGHT. SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT BUT USUALLY GOES AWAY IF THE BIKE IS SHUT OFF, THEN TURNED BACK ON. .
NHTSA complaint #10134693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,550 milesOldsmar, FL1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BIKE STALLS WHEN CLUTCH IS PULLED IN. RPM'S DROP TO ZERO. WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WHEN ENGINE STALLS. INJURED MYSELF (FOOT/ANKLE) WHEN TRYING TO PUSH THE BIKE OFF THE ROAD (SO I WOULDN'T BE RUN OVER). I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MANY FZ6 RIDERS THAT MANY OF THE FZ6 BIKES HAVE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSORS (TPS) AND THAT YAMAHA HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. SOONER OR LATER, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET RUN OVER BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10132562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,800 milesSouthport, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ENGINE RPM'S WOULD "STUMBLE" INCREASINGLY MORE FREQUENT, STALL AT IDLE. THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR DEFECTIVE AND NOT READILY IDENTIFIED AS DEFECTIVE BY AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE/STALLING LED TO POOR CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EXITING RAMPS, HARD CORNERING WHERE NEED FOR IMMEDIATE THROTTLE RESPONSE WAS REQUIRED. TWO OF THESE UNITS HAVE FAILED ON MY MOTORCYCLE, A 2004 YAMAHA FZ6.
NHTSA complaint #10132668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,550 milesOldsmar, FL1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BIKE STALLS WHEN CLUTCH IS PULLED IN. RPM'S DROP TO ZERO. WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WHEN ENGINE STALLS. INJURED MYSELF (FOOT/ANKLE) WHEN TRYING TO PUSH THE BIKE OFF THE ROAD (SO I WOULDN'T BE RUN OVER). I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MANY FZ6 RIDERS THAT MANY OF THE FZ6 BIKES HAVE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSORS (TPS) AND THAT YAMAHA HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. SOONER OR LATER, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET RUN OVER BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10132562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,050 milesNEW Providence, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2004 YAMAHA FZ-6 AND I BELIEVE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS BAD. THE BIKE STALLS AND RUNS VERY ERRATICALLY AT LOW RPMS. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE KILL SWITCH AND KEY OFF TO RESET THE SYSTEM AND THEN IT STARTED AGAIN. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA THE BIKE COULD STALL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM YET, I AM WAITING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE.
NHTSA complaint #10130716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesO'fallon, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY YAMAHA FZ6. THE MANUAL ADVISES TO USE 87 OCTANE FUEL. I HAVE BEEN USING 87 UNTIL THE BIKE STARTED TO IDLE AT VERY VERY LOW INTERVALS. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING, OR STOPPED. NORMAL IDLE IS 1320 RPM. IDLE WILL DROP BETWEEN 600-800 RPM WHEN STOPPED CAUSING THE BIKE TO DIE (EVERY TIME) OR WHILE DRIVING THE BIKE WILL IDLE FINE THEN THE RPM'S WILL DROP WAY DOWN , THEN BACK UP THEN DOWN THEN WAY BACK UP. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD ADJUST THE BIKES IDLE. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A MONTH AND THEN I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE. IDLE DROPPING AFTER FILLING WITH 87 OCTANE. I DECIDED TO TRY OTHER FUELING STATIONS 87 OCTANE. STILL NO CHANGE. I DECIDED TO TRY 89 OCTANE. WITH 89 OCTANE, SMALL IMPROVEMENT, WITH THE SAME ISSUES. I THEN DECIDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM CAUSING ME TO HAVE 4 CLOSE ACCIDENT ENCOUNTERS TO GO AHEAD AND TRY 92 (PREMIUM GRADE OCTANE). THIS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE IDLE DROPPING WAY DOWN, HOWEVER, THE IDLE STAYS HIGHER NOW THAN THE NORMAL 1320 RPM. NOW AROUND THE 1400 RPM RANGE. THE BIKE STILL HAS A ISSUE WITH POWER CUTTING IN AND OUT WITH NO IDLE CHANGE. I'M REPORTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE HAD 4 ALMOST CRITICAL ENCOUNTERS WITH OTHER VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF IDLE/POWER WHILE EITHER BEING STOPPED OR DRIVING. I DECIDED TO POST THIS PROBLEM UP ON WWW.SPORTBIKES.NET. I FOUND THAT 5 OTHER FZ6 RIDERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THEY TOO HAD CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. JUST FYI I MADE THE POST ON 07/29/05 AND ALREADY ON 07/30/05 THERE HAVE BEEN 5 OTHERS WITH THE SAME BIKE, HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A GREAT AMOUNT. SOME HAVE TRACKED THIS PROBLEM DOWN TO THE TPS - THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THEY REPORTED AFTER HAVING THIS REPLACED THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. SENSE I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITHIN THE 6 MONTHS OF HAVING THE BIKE, AND DUE TO OTHERS HAVING THIS ISSUE, A RECALL ON THIS BIKE SHOULD BE ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10130660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesMilwaukie, OR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004 AT APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES, THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN IDLING POORLY AND STALLING. HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY AND THEN BACK ON BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. YAMAHA REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AFTER BRINGING IT TO THEM TWICE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALMOST 13000 MILES ON IT NOW AND IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS DISTRACTING AND HINDERS MY ABILITY TO WATCH TRAFFIC AND FREQUENTLY STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10129651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesRockford, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED REPEATEDLY IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10127497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,300 milesRichmond, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY
ENGINE HESITATION, MISSING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITH NO THROTTLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH YAMAHA AS TPS FAILURE ON THE FZ6.
NHTSA complaint #10125081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.