NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Yamaha XVS65 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Yamaha XVS65 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Yamaha dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Yamaha XVS65. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 Yamaha XVS65 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Yamaha XVS65, describing incidents dated July 30, 2006 to June 10, 2016.

Most-cited components

Power Train 4 complaints
Structure 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10910882 · Filed September 30, 2016
REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR IS NOT LUBRICATED WITH GREASE DURING INITIAL ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATION OF THIS GEAR IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY. THIS OVERSIGHT CAUSES THE GEAR TO SLOWLY WEAR AWAY OVER TIME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN. IF THIS OCCURS IN A BUSY…
ODI #10522989 · Filed July 3, 2013
AS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD BACK TO MY HOTEL, MY MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO LOAD IT ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT BACK HOME TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND A GEAR IN MY FINAL DRIVE HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN. THE PART HAS MADE MY MOTORCYCLE INOPERABLE. IF THIS…
ODI #10319363 · Filed March 12, 2010
YAMAHA XVS 650 DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER FAILS. COULD CAUSE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL. FACTORY DOES NOT LUBRICATE PART AT DURING ASSEMBLY AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNER TO LUBRICATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OWNERS. THIS HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT A MAJOR INCIDENT. YAMAHA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS…

Read all 5 complaints

PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTING HARDWARE MODIFICATION

NHTSA #05V256000 · Seats — Motorcycle · NHTSA notice

Reported June 1, 2005 · YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA

Potentially affected: 46,000 vehicles

Yamaha campaign M2005-010 · Owners notified June 15, 2005 · Vehicles built May 1, 1997 – May 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYLES, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD BREAK IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IS OVER TIGHTENED.

Safety consequence

IF THE HARDWARE BREAKS, THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN FALL OFF THE REAR FENDER. THE PASSENGER COULD LOSE BALANCE AND FALL, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS MAY ALREADY HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YAMAHA DATED MARCH 3, 2005, ABOUT THIS DEFECT. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN IMPROVED REMEDY TO THE REPAIR OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL, YAMAHA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES AGAIN. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER WITH COMPONENTS OF A DIFFERENT TYPE THAT WILL NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO FALL OFF. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-88-YAMAHA.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTING HARDWARE

NHTSA #05V067000 · Seats — Motorcycle · NHTSA notice

Reported March 3, 2005 · YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA

Potentially affected: 179,042 vehicles

Yamaha campaign M2005-003 · Owners notified March 4, 2005 · Vehicles built January 1, 1995 – February 25, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD LOOSEN DUE TO THE PASSENGER'S WEIGHT SHIFTING ON THE SEAT.

Safety consequence

IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE BECOMES LOOSE ENOUGH TO FALL OFF, THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN FALL OFF THE REAR FENDER. A PASSENGER ON THE MOTORCYCLE COULD LOSE BALANCE AND FALL, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT'S MOUNTING HARDWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-227-5963.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Yamaha XVS65. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Yamaha XVS65.

Power Train

ODI #10910882

Incident: June 10, 2016 · Filed: September 30, 2016

REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION GEAR IS NOT LUBRICATED WITH GREASE DURING INITIAL ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATION OF THIS GEAR IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY. THIS OVERSIGHT CAUSES THE GEAR TO SLOWLY WEAR AWAY OVER TIME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVETRAIN. IF THIS OCCURS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM TO YAMAHA, YET THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THIS DEFICIENCY OR MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. AT THE TIME WHEN MY PINION GEAR FAILED, I WAS IN MOTION AND THE SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD MOMENTUM PLACED ME IN THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE WHICH, FORTUNATELY, WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AND AVOID A COLLISION. THE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOWS THE DEFECTIVE PART, WHICH IS THE RUSTED PIECE IN THE CENTER OF THE GRAY COLORED HOUSING.

Power Train

ODI #10522989

Incident: June 28, 2013 · Filed: July 3, 2013

AS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND HEAD BACK TO MY HOTEL, MY MOTORCYCLE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO LOAD IT ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT BACK HOME TO BE INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC HAD FOUND A GEAR IN MY FINAL DRIVE HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN. THE PART HAS MADE MY MOTORCYCLE INOPERABLE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A LONG RIDE HOME, THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10319363

Incident: March 1, 2010 · Filed: March 12, 2010

YAMAHA XVS 650 DRIVE SHAFT COUPLER FAILS. COULD CAUSE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL. FACTORY DOES NOT LUBRICATE PART AT DURING ASSEMBLY AND DOES NOT INFORM OWNER TO LUBRICATE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO MANY OWNERS. THIS HAPPENED TO ME, WITHOUT A MAJOR INCIDENT. YAMAHA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Structure

ODI #10275890

Incident: May 10, 2009 · Filed: July 6, 2009

I PURCHASED A USED V-STAR MOTORCYCLE AND, AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS OF RIDING IT, THE PIECE THAT WAS USED TO SECURE MY PEDAL SHIFTER BROKE OFF. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAD TO PUSH MY BIKE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY. AFTER I FOUND THE PROBLEM I REALIZED THAT THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE IS WELDED AND NOT BOLTED ON. I HAD TO RIDE IT HOME IN SECOND GEAR AFTER ANOTHER BIKER HELPED ME POP IT IN GEAR. I TALKED WITH A YAMAHA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY IS UP SO THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW THAT MAKES THIS MODEL VERY UNSAFE TO RIDE. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10166182

Incident: July 30, 2006 · Filed: August 21, 2006

A NON MAINTENANCE PART ON THE DRIVE TRAIN OF MY 2003 YAMAHA 650 MOTORCYCLE WENT OUT CAUSING THE BIKE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH--NO WARNING.THE MECHANIC SAID THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GREASED AT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WITH THE RUST ,THERE WAS NO SIGN OF GREASE EVER PRESENT.I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN--AND I FOUND OUT THAT YAMAHA RELEASED A LETTER IN 2005 THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT EVERY TIRE CHANGE- THIS SHOWS YAMAHA IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM BUT THAT WAS ALL THEY WERE WILLING TO DO---I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THESE BIKES 2003 650 VSTAR--- TO SAVE LIVES BECAUSE OF THE HIDDEN PROBLEM OF THE DRIVE TRAIN--- TO REPAIR THIS BIKE THE ENTIRE DRIVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $775.00 AND THANKFULLY THAT WAS ALL-- CONSIDERING MY 15 YEAR OLD WAS ON THE BIKE WITH ME AT TIME OF FAILURE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER-THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAYBE SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

Other Yamaha XVS65 model years

Check your 2003 Yamaha XVS65 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Yamaha XVS65 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Yamaha VIN