31 of the 41 complaints filed about the Yamaha XVS11 are about the transmission — 76% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
31
Complaints
76%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 YAMAHA XVS11AR-S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUT SHEARED OFF OF THE MID SHAFT AND THE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10907229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 YAMAHA XVS11. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE NUT IN THE MID-DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #10745957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I BEGAN ACCELERATING ON TO THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED A RATTLING WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE MOTORCYCLE ONCE AS I APPROACHED AN EXIST TO INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE MY REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP . ONCE I HAD IT TOWED HOME COME TO FIND OUT THE MIDDLE GEAR SHAFT NUT HAD BROKEN OFF WITH PART OF THE SHAFT INSIDE AND FEEL IF THOUGH REPLACING IT AND MAY CAUSE ME SERIOUS INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10732843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 YAMAHA 100 CC V-STAR MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE GEAR CLUTCH REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,600. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10533728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHILE RIDING DOWN THE SHORELINE AT LOW SPEEDS, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A WHINING TYPE NOISE HAPPENING JUST WHILE THE BIKE WAS DECELERATING. I BROUGHT THE BIKE HOME AND A FRIEND OF MINE WHO USED TO WORK FOR A YAMAHA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME SINCE I HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK TIRE ANYWAY I SHOULD ALSO LUBRICATE THE SPLINE ON THE DRIVESHAFT. THE FIRST RIDE AFTER THAT WE STOPPED IN THE PARKING LOT RIGHT DOWN THE STREET WHEN WE HEARD IT AGAIN. THIS TIME THE BIKE WAS LOCKING UP JUST TRYING TO PUSH IT IN THE LOT. WHEN WE PULLED IT APART THE HEAD OF THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE U-JOINT HAD SHEARED OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST. HE ALSO SAID TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $2,500.00 TO REPAIR. I WAS SAVING UP FOR THE REPAIR WHEN JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THIS DESIGN. LUCKILY FOR MY WIFE AND MYSELF THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT. I HOPE A MESSAGE CAN GET OUT TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS STYLE OF MOTORCYCLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10451308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED OFF WHERE THE NUT GOES ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OF THESE BIKES. THE BACK WHEEL CAN LOCK UP AND PUT THE MOTORCYCLE INTO A SKID CAUSING AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD EASILY RESULT IN DEATH. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE DRIVE TRAIN WAS SKIPPING AND LOCKING UP. UPON INSPECTION I SEEN THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD SNAPPED OFF. I PLAN ON CONTACTING YAMAHA TO SEE WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO ABOUT THIS. THIS WAS POOR DESIGN BECAUSE THE HAVE MADE A STRONGER DRIVE SHAFT TO REPLACE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10425897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
HELLO, I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO THE 2007 YAMAHA VSTAR 1100 CUSTOM. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MID SHAFT BREAKS LEAVING THE NUT TO CHAOTICALLY SHAKE AROUND UNTIL CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE. THERE ARE TESTIMONIES ONLINE HUNDREDS OF PLACES. THEY WILL NOT OFFER A RECALL. THEY ARE QUITE SUSPECT CONSIDERING THAT THE STARTER CLUTCH ON THIS MODEL OFTEN MALFUNCTIONS (WHICH I JUST HAD TO REPLACE), A JOB COSTING WELL OVER A GRAND, AND THEY HAVE NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EITHER. THE MID SHAFT BREAKAGE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE RIDER, COULD BE FATAL, YET YAMAHA TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY. I AM REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THEM FOR $4000. THIS INCLUDES $1000 FOR THE FAULTY STARTER CLUTCH AND $3000 FOR THE BROKEN MID SHAFT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10422652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK I NOTICED A VERY LOUD WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT AREA DURING DECELLERATION ON MY 2002 V-STAR 1100. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION AND RESEARCH I LEARNED IT WAS MY MIDDLE DRIVE THAT HAD ACTUALLY DISMEMBERED ITSELF, CAUSING A BROKEN PART TO RATTLE AROUND INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH MANY OTHER YAMAHA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE FORUM. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT INJURED BUT SOME INDIVIDUALS VOICED THAT THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO COMPLETELY LOCK UP GOING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10417834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
FAILURE OF THE MIDDLE DRIVE LINE INSIDE THE MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10416757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MOTORCYCLE STARTED MAKING NOISE WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS. REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP JUST AS I GOT HOME. END OF MIDDLE SHAFT BROKEN OFF AND NUT JAMMED IN U-JOINT.
NHTSA complaint #10408949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
2008 YAMAHA VSTAR 1100 MAKING LOUD WHINE FROM THE MIDDLE GEAR AREA. HAD TO STOP RIDING THE BIKE BECAUSE THE MIDDLE GEAR BOLT HAD CAME LOSE AND THE NUT WAS GOING INTO THE UJOINT. HAD TO HAVE THE HOLE REAREND TAKEN APART AND PUT ON AND RETORE TO SHOP SPEC., DID PUT LOCKTITE ON NUT. THIS IS REALLY BAD BECAUSE THIS WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN REAL BAD FOR THE PERSON ON THE BIKE.
NHTSA complaint #10408473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN STARTING AND SHUTTING OFF THE MOTORCYCLE, THERE TENDS TO BE A LOUD CLUNK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I PURCHASED THIS BIKE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN 2010. I HAVE ALL OF THE SERVICE DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS BIKE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, ALL MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE. JUST RECENTLY, I HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE BIKE WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THE STARTER MOTOR WOULD JUST SPIN AND WHINE, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I REMOVED THE STARTER MOTOR AND LOOKED AT IT, AND INSIDE, THERE ARE 4 BRUSHES. ONE BRUSH WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WORN TO NOTHING. I REPLACED THE STARTER MOTOR, AND THE SAME ISSUE EXISTED. THE STARTER MOTOR WOULD JUST SPIN AND NOT TURN THE ENGINE OVER. I TOOK THE BIKE TO A LOCAL MOTORCYCLE SHOP, AND THEY OPENED UP THE LEFT ENGINE CASE AND LOOKED AT ALL OF THE STARTER CLUTCH GEARS AND FOUND THAT THE STARTER CLUTCH (OR SLIPPER CLUTCH) AS THEY CALLED IT WAS SHOT. THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A KIT THAT YAMAHA HAS TO SPECIFICALLY FIX THIS KICK BACK CLUNK ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS, NOW I NEED TO PAY AROUND $800 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A PRETTY WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THIS SERIES OF BIKES. I THINK YAMAHA SHOULD EITHER RECALL THE BIKES AND FIX THIS ISSUE, OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE EXPENSE I NEED TO INCUR REGARING THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10405560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
2006 YAHAMA V-STAR 1100, WHILE DOWNSHIFTING YOU HEAR A WHINING NOISE ON THE MIDDLE SHAFT GEAR, THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO STOPPED WORKING, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL BIKE, THEY NEED TO TAKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE APART AND REPLACE THE BOLT THAT BROKE OFF THE MIDDLE SHAFT GEAR, THEY HAVE DONE ABOUT 6 OF THIS REPAIRS SINCE THE YEAR 2011 STARTED, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD FOR THE BACK WHEEL CAN LOCK UP, AND YOU ARE LIABLE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. MY WHEELS LOCKED UP GOING 35 MILES PER HOUR AND I WAS READ ENDED. THE REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT $2000 DOLLARS, AND THE PROBLEM IS ALSO POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET, PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE NATION HAVE REPORTED IT, YOU MAY SIMPLY DO A SEARCH ONLINE FOR YAHAMA V-START MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE. YAHAMA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10392713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2005 YAMAHA 1100 VSTAR CLASSIC. AT ABOUT 23,000 MILES A NUT HOLDING THE MIDDLE GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAD THE MOTORCYCLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $2,000 + TO REPAIR IT. EVEN THO THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN WITH ONLY THAT MANY MILES ON A VEHICLE IS UNACCEPTABLE. I PERSONALLY CONTACTED YAMAHA CORP. BY LETTER AND BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT CONTACT YAMAHA AND AGAIN WAS TOLD SORRY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FAILURES OF THIS KIND AND MY LOCAL DEALER SAID THEY HAVE HAD HALF A DOZEN OR MORE BUT YAMAHA KNOWING ABOUT THE ISSUE FAILS TO INITIATE A RECALL OR HELP ANY OWNERS WITH THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10389608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
STARTER CLUTCH ON 2008 YAMAHA V STAR 1100 MOTORCYCLE IS DEFECTIVE .YAMAHA KNOWS THIS AND IS SELLING A REPAIR KIT FOR AROUND $550.THIS IS HAPPENING ON MOST ALL OF THE V-STAR BIKE AROUND THE 13-30 THOUSAND MILE MARK.
NHTSA complaint #10354746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 YAMAHA XVS11. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING A SPEED OF 0 MPH. HE CONTINUED DRIVING AND BEGAN TO HEAR A CLANKING NOISE. AS HE CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10354189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 YAMAHA V STAR 1100 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE WITH APPROX. 74,000 MILES.THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT WERE JUST NORMAL RIDING CONDITIONS FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE TIP OF THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT SHEARED OFF WITH THE NUT THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WITH THIS PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE, WITH ALL OF THE BREAKAGE OCCURRING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT. THIS DEFECT COULD LEAD TO THE DRIVE SHAFT JAMMING UP AND CAUSING SERIOUS HARM AND QUITE POSSIBLY DEATH FROM AN ACCIDENT. THUS FAR YAMAHA HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE. IT IS A VERY COSTLY AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR INVOLVING BASICALLY DISASSEMBLING THE BIKE TO GET AT THE BROKEN PART. THE COMPLETE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND $2000.00. AND IF THEY ARE REPLACING WITH THE SAME YAMAHA OEM PARTS I WOULD IMAGINE THE RISK IS THERE FOR THE FAILURE TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND ADDRESSED BY YAMAHA.
NHTSA complaint #10348027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2005 YAMAHA VSTAR 1100 WITH 5.000 MILES. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO WINE AND THEN STARTED TO MAKE A TAPING NOISE. I FOUND THE MIDDLE DRIVE GEAR IS BROKE ITS GOING COST ME 1600 DOLLARS TO FIX IT WITH ME TAKING THE MOTOR OUT AND REINSTALLING IT IN MOTORCYCLE. YAMAHA WILL NOT FIX IT EVEN KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MIDDLE DRIVE GEAR. I'M JUST LUCKY IT DID NOT LOCK UP ON ME ON THE INTERSTATE!
NHTSA complaint #10341090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
HAD THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT BOLT SHEAR OFF MY 1100 V STAR. AS A RESULT OF THE BOLT SHEARING OF FOR NO APPARENT REASON IT LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE,LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY KILLED MYSELF !!!
NHTSA complaint #10334196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AROUND 30MPH ,,,ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD AND DEVELOPED A WHINE (SOUNDED LIKE TIRE WHINE)., COULD ONLY HEAR IT DURING DECELERATION. NOISE GRADUALLY GOT LOUDER. LOUD CRUNCH WAS HEARD WHEN NUT HOLDING U-JOINT TO MIDDLE GEAR DISLODGED AND BUSTED SPEEDO PICKUP. I AM A TECHNICAL MECHANIC FOR A CAR BIG CAR COMPANY ....SO AS SOON AS I COULD TAKE IT BACK TO MY SHOP ,,,, I STARTED A DIAGNOSED OF THE PROBLEM....IT TOOK 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO FIND THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVE PINION SHAFT (MIDDLE SHAFT) .. THE JOB STARTED ...SO I TOOK IT A PART AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MIDDLE SHAFT AT THE NUT WAS SHEARED OFF (BROKEN OFF TOTALLY) ....IT IS A VERY ENORMOUS JOB TO GET TO THAT GEAR AND CHANGE IT ....I HAVE TO TAKE THE DRIVE SHAFT OFF... AND EVERY THINGS AROUND THE ENGINE AND FINALLY TAKE THE ENGINE OFF THE MAIN FRAME OF THE BIKE TO GET TO THAT GEAR....AND EVENTUALLY I HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART ,,,SPLIT THE ENGINE TO CHANGE THAT DRIVE GEAR...... FURTHERMORE ,,,,I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY......GOOD LUCK THAT I WAS GOING SLOW ......I TAKE YAMAHA RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT ON MY MOTORBIKE ...ALSO THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THAT DEFECTIVE PART OF THE BIKE .....I HOPE THAT ALL THE BIKERS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE FOR THE REPAIRS AND TO MAKE THE BIKE SAFE FOR THE ROAD.....
NHTSA complaint #10331867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.