FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Yamaha XVS650 problems

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2002 Yamaha XVS650 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2017. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.

Not graded

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

17

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

12,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

90%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2002 compares with every other Yamaha XVS650

Click any bar to open that year's report.

98 99 00 01 02 05 09 10
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Yamaha XVS650

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

Transmission & Drivetrain 6 35.3%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 11.8%

Median failure at 8,414 miles

Electrical System 2 11.8%

Median failure at 13,375 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 5.9%

Median failure at 4,829 miles

Seats 1 5.9%
Wheels 1 5.9%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

Tires 1 5.9%

Median failure at 4,300 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.9%
Suspension 1 5.9%
Steering 1 5.9%

When it fails

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

1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 30.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 5 50.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 20.0%

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.

Jul 2002 peak 4 Jun 2017

The most recent complaints

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

at 12,000 miles Gibsonton, FL

POWER TRAIN

ON THESE MODEL THE SHAFT ON THE FINAL-DRIVE GOING INTO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS NOT OILED NOR HAS ENOUGH GREASE TO LAST OVER 10K MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS BIKE SERVICED AT EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL AND GREASING THE SPLINES IS NOT IN THE SERVICE. NOR CAN THEY BE GREASED WHEN THE TIRE CHANGE IS PERFORMED WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE 4 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT IN THE COVER OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. MY SPLINES STRIPPED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED AND ALMOST BEING RAN OVER BY THE CARS THAT WERE BEHIND ME TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION DUE TO THE BIKE LOOSING SPEED AND SLOWING DOWN VERY QUICKLY. WHEN I TOOK THE BIKE IN TI BE INSPECTED THE SPLINES WERE BONE-DRY AND THE PART THAT HAD STRIPPED WAS ON THE PARTS DIAGRAM BUT DIDN'T HAVE A PART NUMBER SO I COULD NOT ORDER THE PART I HAD TO BUY THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AT AROUND $1,200.00 TO $1,300.00 DOLLARS.. I'M SURE YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THIS DUE TO THE FACT THEY QUIT MAKING THIS MODEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND NOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN ENGINEERED DIFFERENTLY, THE SPLINES ARE NOW KEPT OILED BY GEAR OIL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL.. IF I DIDN'T MANEUVER QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT..

NHTSA complaint #10992985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Gibsonton, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON THESE MODEL THE SHAFT ON THE FINAL-DRIVE GOING INTO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS NOT OILED NOR HAS ENOUGH GREASE TO LAST OVER 10K MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS BIKE SERVICED AT EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL AND GREASING THE SPLINES IS NOT IN THE SERVICE. NOR CAN THEY BE GREASED WHEN THE TIRE CHANGE IS PERFORMED WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE 4 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT IN THE COVER OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. MY SPLINES STRIPPED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED AND ALMOST BEING RAN OVER BY THE CARS THAT WERE BEHIND ME TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION DUE TO THE BIKE LOOSING SPEED AND SLOWING DOWN VERY QUICKLY. WHEN I TOOK THE BIKE IN TI BE INSPECTED THE SPLINES WERE BONE-DRY AND THE PART THAT HAD STRIPPED WAS ON THE PARTS DIAGRAM BUT DIDN'T HAVE A PART NUMBER SO I COULD NOT ORDER THE PART I HAD TO BUY THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AT AROUND $1,200.00 TO $1,300.00 DOLLARS.. I'M SURE YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THIS DUE TO THE FACT THEY QUIT MAKING THIS MODEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND NOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN ENGINEERED DIFFERENTLY, THE SPLINES ARE NOW KEPT OILED BY GEAR OIL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL.. IF I DIDN'T MANEUVER QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT..

NHTSA complaint #10992985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles Gibsonton, FL

WHEELS

ON THESE MODEL THE SHAFT ON THE FINAL-DRIVE GOING INTO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS NOT OILED NOR HAS ENOUGH GREASE TO LAST OVER 10K MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS BIKE SERVICED AT EVERY SERVICE INTERVAL AND GREASING THE SPLINES IS NOT IN THE SERVICE. NOR CAN THEY BE GREASED WHEN THE TIRE CHANGE IS PERFORMED WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE THE 4 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE DRIVE SHAFT IN THE COVER OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. MY SPLINES STRIPPED OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED AND ALMOST BEING RAN OVER BY THE CARS THAT WERE BEHIND ME TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION DUE TO THE BIKE LOOSING SPEED AND SLOWING DOWN VERY QUICKLY. WHEN I TOOK THE BIKE IN TI BE INSPECTED THE SPLINES WERE BONE-DRY AND THE PART THAT HAD STRIPPED WAS ON THE PARTS DIAGRAM BUT DIDN'T HAVE A PART NUMBER SO I COULD NOT ORDER THE PART I HAD TO BUY THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AT AROUND $1,200.00 TO $1,300.00 DOLLARS.. I'M SURE YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THIS DUE TO THE FACT THEY QUIT MAKING THIS MODEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND NOW THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN ENGINEERED DIFFERENTLY, THE SPLINES ARE NOW KEPT OILED BY GEAR OIL IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL.. IF I DIDN'T MANEUVER QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT..

NHTSA complaint #10992985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,555 miles Pleasant Valley, NY

POWER TRAIN

THE DRIVESHAFT STRIPPED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. A DEFECT IN DESIGN. WATER RUSTED THE DRIVESHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #10641631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Tempe, AZ

POWER TRAIN

LIKE MANY OWNERS OF THE YAMAHA 650 SERIES, I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE FINAL DRIVE. MINE IS LEEKING FLUID THAT HAD METALLIC CHIPS IN IT WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. IT IS BEING DIAGNOSED TOMORROW, BUT I ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE AND WILL BE ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT MYSELF. SICNE THERE ARE COUNTLESS ISSUES, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON TH IS MODEL?!?!

NHTSA complaint #10500854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BIG Bear City, CA

SEATS:MOTORCYCLE

I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE FROM YAMAHA ABOUT THE DEFECT. I CONTACTED THE CLOSEST DEALER FOR THE REPAIR AS INSTRUCTED BY THE MFG. THE DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY A DEPOSIT BEFORE ORDERING THE PARTS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT NAMED IN THE RECALL! I THEN CONTACTED THE MFG. TO VOICE MY COMPLAINT, AND GOT LEFT ON TERMINAL HOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10198498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,300 miles Staten Island, NY

TIRES

THE REAR TIRE CONTAINED CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. *JB THE REAR TIRE WAS CRACKING ALL AROUND THE SIDEWALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. THE TIRE WAS DRY ROTTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE LARGE AMOUNTS OF STATIC ELECTRICITY THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10126901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kinston, NC

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND MOTORCYCLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #10091727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Pascoag, RI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

STARTER PROBLEMS ON MY YAMAHA V-STAR 1100.

NHTSA complaint #10054770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cerritos, CA

SUSPENSION:REAR

MY COMPLAINT IS THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER CAN CAUSE IT TO SEIZE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. THAT IS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR MY COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT IDENTIFY THIS PART FOR MAINTENANCE IN THE OWNERS, SHOP OR MAINTENANCE MANUALS CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING MODELS: XVS 650 & XVS1100. I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY THAT EACH OWNER BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A ONE TIME FREE INSPECTION BY YAMAHA.

NHTSA complaint #10053078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape Coral, FL

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

MY COMPLAINT IS THE LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER CAN CAUSE IT TO SEIZE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THIS PART FOR MAINTENANCE IN THE OWNERS, SHOP OR MAINTENANCE MANUALS CONCERNING OUR MODEL: XVS 650 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA complaint #10053099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

VEHICLE TYPE: MOTORCYCLE MAKE: YAMAHA MODEL XVS650A YEAR: 2002 YAMAHA'S LACK OF NOTIFICATION OF MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER CAN CAUSE IT TO SEIZE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA complaint #10053087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,750 miles Florence, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

STARTER FAILURE ON 2002 YAMAHA V-STAR 1100 MOTORCYCLE DUE TO DESIGN FAILURE TO PREVENT "KICKBACK" UPON STARTING. VERY HIGH INCIDENCE OF FAILURE WITH MODELS PRIOR TO 2003 WHEN STARTER WAS REDESIGNED. YAMAHA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10047235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,829 miles Baltimore, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPEEDOMETER CABLE BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10030265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,829 miles Baltimore, MD

EQUIPMENT

SPEEDOMETER CABLE BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10030265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Metropolis, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

HANDLE BAR IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN BE TURNED TO EITHER SIDE, ENOUGH TO TOUCH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK WAS DENTED DUE TO THIS. DEALER TOOK VEHICLE BACK.*AK IF GONE UNNOTICED, THE FUEL TANK COULD HAVE LEAKED GASOLINE ON HOT MOTOR CAUSING A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

NHTSA complaint #8013981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Metropolis, IL

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

HANDLE BAR IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CAN BE TURNED TO EITHER SIDE, ENOUGH TO TOUCH FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK WAS DENTED DUE TO THIS. DEALER TOOK VEHICLE BACK.*AK IF GONE UNNOTICED, THE FUEL TANK COULD HAVE LEAKED GASOLINE ON HOT MOTOR CAUSING A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

NHTSA complaint #8013981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.