25 of the 45 complaints filed about the Yamaha XVS650 are about the transmission — 56% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
25
Complaints
56%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
POWER TRAIN
FINAL DRIVE FLAW CAUSED FINAL DRIVE OIL SPRAYED ONTO REAR TIRE AND UNDER FENDER WHICH CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT MOMENT IT HAPPENED, HOWEVER IT WAS DISCOVERED AFTER RIDING ABOUT 30 MILES, AND THEN PARKING THE BIKE.
NHTSA complaint #11140459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
POWER TRAIN
THE BEARING IN THE FINAL DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK APART THE HOUSING AND REMOVED THE RETAINING NUT TO GET TO THE BEARING. THE BEARING WAS COMPLETELY TORN APART AND MOST OF THE BEARINGS WERE MISSING. WHEN THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL WAS REPLACED WE FOUND OUT WHERE THE METAL PARTS WENT. THEY WERE GROUND DOWN AND FLOATING IN THE OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10621601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
ON OR ABOUT 03/01/2010. THE FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 60-70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. RESULTING IN A BEARING FAILURE, EATING AWAY OF SEAL AND GEAR OIL BEING SPLASHED THROUGHOUT REAR WHEEL. *JS MANUFACTURED REFUSED TO EVALUATE FAILED COMPONENT. ATTEMPTED TO PURCHASE ORIGINAL FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY. MANUFACTURE NO LONGER SOLD THAT SPECIFIC PART NUMBER AS IT HAD BEEN DEPRECATED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART NUMBER. PURCHASED REPLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 589.00 (OEM) (NEW PART NUMBER - ASSUMED TO HAVE IMPROVED SPECIFICATIONS OVER OLD PART NUMBER). ON 05/18/2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT FAILED AGAIN. HOWEVER THIS FAILURE WAS CAUGHT IN TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WITHOUT A SEAL FAILURE RESULTING IN GEAR OIL SATURATING PRIMARY DRIVE WHEEL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE RELEASE OF GEAR OIL ON A MOTORCYCLE DRIVE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN A FATALITY AND/OR SEVERE INJURY. IN THE CASE OF THE BEARING FAILURE AND SEAL FAILURE THE RELEASE OF GEAR OIL FROM THE CASE AREA WAS ABRUPT AND WITHOUT NOTICE. THE FAILURE IS NOT ONE WHERE A USER WOULD EASILY SEE A SLOW LEAK AND BE ABLE TO SERVICE THE AREA IN QUESTION. WHEN SEAL FAILURE OCCURS THE GEAR OIL IS FLUNG ACROSS THE ENTIRE RADIUS OF THE REAR TIRE (LEFT SIDE). COATING THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL AND LEAKING ONTO THE BANKING RIDGE OF THE TIRE. PLEASE NOTE THAT BASED ON INFORMATION FROM FORUMS, YOUTUBE AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN THE MOTORCYCLE COMMUNITY. FINAL DRIVE FAILURES ON VARIOUS YEARS OF VSTAR'S/XVS650/1100 MODELS ARE KNOWN TO EXIST.
NHTSA complaint #10592445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF MY TRIP TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH WHEN MY FINAL GEAR DRIVE STARTED MAKING NOISE. IT WAS CLINKING AND THE BIKE BEGAN TO LURCH AND SLIP' LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT FAR FROM MY HOME, AS I HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE ALL THE WAY BACK. I HAVE HAD MY BIKE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE PINION GEAR IN THE FINAL GEAR DRIVE WAS STRIPPED, APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 650 YAMAHA V-STARS. FORTUNATELY I HAD NOT YET MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY YET AS THIS DEFAULT COULD HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN A CRASH AND PHYSICAL INJURY. THIS IS A MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BY YAMAHA BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A LOSS OF LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #10504301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 YAMAHA XVS650 V STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FINAL DRIVE WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #10466666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE IN 5TH GEAR, THE MOTORCYCLE MAKES A HIGHER PITCH SOUND. I TOOK IT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY 5TH GEAR IS BEGINNING TO DISINTEGRATE. I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS IN THE PAST BY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2000 VSTAR 650. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW WHY, WHEN THERE IS SUCH AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH A VEHICLE, THERE HAS BEEN NO INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AS SOON AS I TOLD HIM IT WAS 2000 YEAR VSTAR. HE TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE FOR A TEST RIDE AND PROVIDED ME WITH THE SAME OPINION. THIS REPAIR IS THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY AT A COST OF 1500 TO 1700.
NHTSA complaint #10162756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SKIPS UP INTO NEUTRAL POSITION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #10066178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
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. ALSO THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THIS PART FOR MAINTENANCE IN THE OWNERS, SHOP OR MAINTENANCE MANUALS CONCERNING OUR MODEL: XVS 650. * CB
NHTSA complaint #10053258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
YAMAHA FAILS TO IDENTIFY THE DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING AREA AS REQUIRING MAINTENANCE IN THE USER MANUAL, SHOP MANUAL AND TECH MANUALS. COUPLING AREA REQUIRES LUBRICATION OTHERWISE THE AREA MAY SEIZE AND CAUSE THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP THEREBY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR MAY EVEN RESULT IN DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10053068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CONSUMER STATED THAT OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE THAT DRIVESHAFT CONNECTED TO THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED, OTHER WISE REAR WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE PICTURES OF DAMAGES CAUSED BY DRIVESHAFT NOT BEING LUBRICATED PERIODICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10053929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
REAR AXLE HUB BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10048789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2001 YAMAHA V-STAR 650 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. OVER TIME I BEGAN TO HEAR A "MAJOR" HOWL COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. YAMAHA CLAIMED THEY HAD NO INFO. ON ANY HOWL PROBLEM!! LATER, ON THE YAMAHA V-STAR FORUM, I LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A BATCH OF 5TH GEARS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. AS THE GEARS GOT OLDER... THE HOWL BEGAN. MANY FOLKS WERE FORCED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE MFG. DEFECT!!! AFTER THE DEFECT WAS UNCOVERED... YAMAHA STILL WOULD ONLY PAY FOR THE "PARTS" !! PARTS ARE WORTH MAYBE $100... COMPARED TO THE TOTAL BILL OF $1,500 OR MORE. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT, SO PLEASE ADD ME TO YOUR LIST OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM. THE SAD PART IS THAT YAMAHA STILL REFUSES TO ADMIT ANYTHING!!! MANY PEOPLE ARE PAYING LARGE REPAIR BILLS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. WAYNE CORNELL.
NHTSA complaint #10039156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2000 650 V-STAR YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE. THE FIFTH GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFFECTIVE. MAKES A VERY LOUD SCREACHING AND SQUEELING NOISE. THROUGH OTHER YAMAHA 650 OWNERS VIA THE INTERNET HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, MINE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10037166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FIFTH GEAR HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2001 YAMAHA V STAR 650 CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE AT 7000 MILES. WHILE CRUISING IN FIFTH GEAR YOU WOULD HEAR A LOUD CHATTERING SOUND COMING FROM BENEATH THE BIKE. THE DEALER WHO DID THE REPAIR STATED THAT THE GEAR AND THE DRIVE GEAR WERE DEFORMED AS IF SOMETHING HAD RAN THROUGH THEM. THERE WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT BUT THE DEALER WARNED ME THAT IT COULD LOCK UP. COST OF REPAIR 545.00.
NHTSA complaint #10037124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.