Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1 with NHTSA between 2006 and 2021.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Yamaha YZF-R1. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2006 Yamaha YZF-R1
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
325.0%
Median failure at 22,290 miles
Engine & Cooling
325.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 24,045 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
216.7%
Median failure at 5,900 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
216.7%
Median failure at 8,361 miles
Lights
18.3%
Median failure at 200 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
18.3%
Median failure at 22,290 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
220.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
440.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
440.0%
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.
Oct 2006peak 2Apr 2021
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Gilroy, CACrash3 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD A LEAK FROM THE ENGINE ON THE MOTORCYCLE YAMAHA R1. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD REPAIRS DONE. THEY DID NOT SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT FIXED IT. SOMETHING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS WAS DONE A COUPLE OF MONTH EARLIER. NOW WHILE RIDING THE OIL STARTED POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE, AND TWO RIDERS BEHIND ME ACTUALLY FELL AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. WHEN INVESTIGATING THE LEAK TWO HUGE HOLES WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ONE JUST IN FRONT OF WHERE THE CHAIN WENT AROUND THE SPROCKET. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE CHAIN CAME LOOSE, BUT IT WOULD NOT EVEN REACH THAT FAR. THEN, I NOTICED A HUGE HOLE IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING INSIDE CAME APART AND WENT AROUND WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT RIPPED THE TWO LARGE HOLES IN THE ENGINE CASING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE THUS FAR. AM LOOKING AT HOW TO GET THIS REVIEWED OBJECTIVELY SO THAT SOMEONE COULD DETERMINE HOW TO KEEP OTHERS FROM HAVING THIS HAPPEN TO THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10193299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 24,045 milesSebrimg, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE MAGNETS ON THE FLY WHEEL CAME APART. MOTORCYCLE SHUT OF AT HI SPEEDS ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH ON A HIGHWAY. PIECES OF THE MAGNET WENT INTO CRANKCASE. BATTERY FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH YAMAHA ALL OVER INTERNET THREADS.
NHTSA complaint #11414398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,045 milesSebrimg, FL
ENGINE
THE MAGNETS ON THE FLY WHEEL CAME APART. MOTORCYCLE SHUT OF AT HI SPEEDS ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH ON A HIGHWAY. PIECES OF THE MAGNET WENT INTO CRANKCASE. BATTERY FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH YAMAHA ALL OVER INTERNET THREADS.
NHTSA complaint #11414398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 YAMAHA YZF-R1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DJR
NHTSA complaint #10670643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,290 milesOlathe, KS
POWER TRAIN
I WAS IN FIRST GEAR RIDING THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN MY MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO JERK LIKE IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. I WAS UNABLE TO HOLD THE THROTTLE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL BECAUSE OF DANGEROUSLY JERKY MOTIONS. I PULLED THE CLUTCH IN TO COME TO A STOP AND AS THE RPM'S CAME DOWN TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED IT WENT PAST AND KILLED THE MOTOR. I BELIEVE AFTER HAVING DONE RESEARCH IT IS THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WHICH WOULD BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10470065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,290 milesOlathe, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS IN FIRST GEAR RIDING THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN MY MOTORCYCLE STARTED TO JERK LIKE IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. I WAS UNABLE TO HOLD THE THROTTLE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL BECAUSE OF DANGEROUSLY JERKY MOTIONS. I PULLED THE CLUTCH IN TO COME TO A STOP AND AS THE RPM'S CAME DOWN TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED IT WENT PAST AND KILLED THE MOTOR. I BELIEVE AFTER HAVING DONE RESEARCH IT IS THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WHICH WOULD BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10470065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,200 milesAguadilla, PR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BIKE JERKED VIOLENTLY DURING A TURN CAUSING A LOSE OF CONTROL BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE THE BIKE WANTED TO BUMP ME OFF AND ALMOST END IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10325635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,200 milesAguadilla, PR
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
BIKE JERKED VIOLENTLY DURING A TURN CAUSING A LOSE OF CONTROL BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE THE BIKE WANTED TO BUMP ME OFF AND ALMOST END IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10325635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,522 milesHollywood, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SYMPTOMS: 1. NORMAL RIDING. 2. BIKE JERKED VIOLENTLY A FEW TIME AT CRUISING SPEED (70MPH), ALMOST BUMPED ME OFF THE BIKE. ALSO, BIKE CUT OFF SEVERAL TIME WITHIN A 10MINUTES RIDE. IT HAPPENED ONCE DURING A TURN, AND THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS OR FATAL. 3. HOLDING THE CLUTCH IN AND IMMEDIATELY RE-STARTING IT WILL ALWAYS FIX THE PROBLEM... FOR A SHORT WHILE THE BIKE WILL RUN PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10317368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,600 milesLOS Angeles, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WITH MY 2006 YAMAHA FZ1: WHILE NEGOTIATING A TURN AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN, I APPLIED THROTTLE, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND FOR ABOUT 1/2 SECOND AND THEN JERKED SIGNIFICANTLY. IT UPSET MY CONTROL AND I ALMOST CRASHED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ABOVE 4500 RPM, BELOW THAT THROTTLE RESPONSE IS INSTANTANEOUS AND SMOOTH.
NHTSA complaint #10218853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilroy, CACrash3 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD A LEAK FROM THE ENGINE ON THE MOTORCYCLE YAMAHA R1. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD REPAIRS DONE. THEY DID NOT SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT FIXED IT. SOMETHING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS WAS DONE A COUPLE OF MONTH EARLIER. NOW WHILE RIDING THE OIL STARTED POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE, AND TWO RIDERS BEHIND ME ACTUALLY FELL AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. WHEN INVESTIGATING THE LEAK TWO HUGE HOLES WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ONE JUST IN FRONT OF WHERE THE CHAIN WENT AROUND THE SPROCKET. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE CHAIN CAME LOOSE, BUT IT WOULD NOT EVEN REACH THAT FAR. THEN, I NOTICED A HUGE HOLE IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE, ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING INSIDE CAME APART AND WENT AROUND WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT RIPPED THE TWO LARGE HOLES IN THE ENGINE CASING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE THUS FAR. AM LOOKING AT HOW TO GET THIS REVIEWED OBJECTIVELY SO THAT SOMEONE COULD DETERMINE HOW TO KEEP OTHERS FROM HAVING THIS HAPPEN TO THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10193299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesBrooklyn, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE'S SUBHARNESS AND THE CONNECTORS WENT OUT CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT. THIS HAD OCCURRED TWICE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE STRANDED WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10170566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesBrooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE'S SUBHARNESS AND THE CONNECTORS WENT OUT CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT. THIS HAD OCCURRED TWICE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE STRANDED WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10170566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.