NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Yamaha dealer.

Includes campaigns NHTSA files under the spelling "YZFR3".

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3, describing incidents dated March 19, 2017.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

The complaint on file reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10967200 · Filed March 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 YAMAHA YZF-R3. WHILE DRIVING IN THIRD GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY IGNITION WAS NOT READING THE KEY CORRECTLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Read the full complaint

Decreased Reflectiveness of Rear Reflector Lens

NHTSA #20V611000 · Visibility · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2020 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 31,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 16.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990139 · Owners notified October 20, 2020

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2020 YZF-R3, 2020 MT03 and 2018-2020 XMAX scooters. Condensation or other contaminates may adhere to the rear reflector lens reducing its effectiveness.

Safety consequence

A less reflective rear reflector increases the risk of crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-888-266-3085. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990139.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Shifter Return Spring may Break

NHTSA #18V860000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported December 4, 2018 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 11,240 vehicles

Repair completion: 19.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990126 · Owners notified December 17, 2018 · Vehicles built January 5, 2015 – March 31, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Yamaha YZFR3 motorcycles. The shift shaft torsion spring may fracture, giving the shifter a loose feel and affecting the ability to shift gears.

Safety consequence

Difficulty shifting gears can cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shift shaft torsion spring, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2018. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990126.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Radiator Hose may Crack and Leak Coolant

NHTSA #18V861000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported December 4, 2018 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 16,760 vehicles

Repair completion: 29.45% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990125 · Owners notified December 17, 2018 · Vehicles built January 5, 2015 – November 30, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Yamaha YZFR3 motorcycles. The upper radiator hose may crack resulting in a coolant leak.

Safety consequence

If coolant leaks onto the rear tire, it can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will install a new upper radiator hose, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2018. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990125.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Water may Enter Ignition Switch and cause Stall

NHTSA #17V112000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported February 21, 2017 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 14,320 vehicles

Repair completion: 51.74% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990112 · Owners notified March 3, 2017 · Vehicles built January 13, 2015 – October 24, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles. Water can enter and corrode the ignition switch resulting in an unexpected engine stall.

Safety consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch subassembly, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2017. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990112.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Leak due to Fuel Tank Abrasion

NHTSA #17V111000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 21, 2017 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 14,320 vehicles

Repair completion: 51.74% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990112 · Owners notified March 3, 2017 · Vehicles built January 13, 2015 – October 24, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, engine vibration can cause the fuel tank mounting bracket to contact the fuel tank, which overtime, may result in the tank leaking fuel.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of a ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank bracket. The fuel tank will be inspected and replaced if necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 9, 2017. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990112.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Clutch Pressure Plate Bearing may Fail

NHTSA #16V460000 · Power Train — Clutch Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported June 24, 2016 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 11,280 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990105 · Owners notified July 7, 2016 · Vehicles built January 1, 2015 – April 15, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 YZF-R3 F/G motorcycles manufactured January 1, 2015, to April 15, 2016. The clutch pressure plate bearing may break due to an insufficient load rating, causing the clutch to not disengage and preventing the transmission from shifting properly.

Safety consequence

If the clutch cannot be disengaged, the rider may not be easily able to stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha has notified owners, and dealers will replace the clutch pressure plate bearing, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2016. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990105.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Oil Pump Drive Gear may Fail; Engine may Sieze

NHTSA #16V459000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2016 · Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Potentially affected: 11,280 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Yamaha campaign 990105 · Owners notified July 7, 2016 · Vehicles built January 1, 2015 – April 15, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 F/G motorcycles manufactured January 1, 2015, to April 15, 2016. Due to an oil pump problem, the oil pressure in these motorcycles may not be properly regulated. As a result, the oil pump drive gear may fail and cause the engine to seize from lack of oil supply.

Safety consequence

If the engine seizes from a lack of oil supply, the rear wheel may lock up suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Yamaha has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pump, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990105.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3.

Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10967200

Fire

Incident: March 19, 2017 · Filed: March 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 YAMAHA YZF-R3. WHILE DRIVING IN THIRD GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY IGNITION WAS NOT READING THE KEY CORRECTLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER A RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FUEL TANK FITTING BRACKET BECAME HOT AND SLOWLY BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V111000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 17V112000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600.

Other Yamaha YZF-R3 model years

Check your 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Yamaha YZF-R3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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