NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Yamaha YZFR1 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Yamaha YZFR1 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Yamaha dealer.

Includes campaigns NHTSA files under the spelling "YZF R1".

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Yamaha YZFR1. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 Yamaha YZFR1 owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Yamaha YZFR1, describing incidents dated June 7, 2010 to July 1, 2016.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10884024 · Filed July 11, 2016
THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WENT OUT, FUNNY HOW YAMAHA ONLY RECALLED 2004 MODELS MADE BETWEEN 2002-2005 WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE
ODI #10595749 · Filed June 3, 2014
MOTORCYCLE MISSES AND WANTS TO STALL AT LOW RPMS CODE NUMBER SHOWS UP AS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR . WHAT I DONOT UNDERSTAND IS THE MODEL YEAR THAT SHOWS UP ON YOUR RECALL IS 2004 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 11/01/2002 AND 3/31/2005 MY R1 IS A 2003 MODEL AND WAS MADE BETWEEN THESE DATES. IS THIS A WAY TO…

Read all 2 complaints

Steering Damper Bracket may Fail, Locking Steering

NHTSA #14E012000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2014 · Ohlins Racing AB

Potentially affected: 2,827 vehicles

Repair completion: 4% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 19, 2013

Defect description

Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.

Safety consequence

If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.

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.

AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS

NHTSA #08E052000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported August 15, 2008 · MOTION PRO, INC.

Potentially affected: 10,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 11, 2008

Defect description

MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKE LEVER. THE LEVER CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE MARKING "JY 378" AT THE BASE OF THE LEVER NEAR THE PIVOT BUSHING.

Safety consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET MOTION PRO BRAKE LEVERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON SUZUKI OR YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES.CUSTOMERS MAY 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 YZFR1. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Yamaha YZFR1.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10884024

Incident: July 1, 2016 · Filed: July 11, 2016

THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WENT OUT, FUNNY HOW YAMAHA ONLY RECALLED 2004 MODELS MADE BETWEEN 2002-2005 WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #10595749

Incident: June 7, 2010 · Filed: June 3, 2014

MOTORCYCLE MISSES AND WANTS TO STALL AT LOW RPMS CODE NUMBER SHOWS UP AS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR . WHAT I DONOT UNDERSTAND IS THE MODEL YEAR THAT SHOWS UP ON YOUR RECALL IS 2004 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 11/01/2002 AND 3/31/2005 MY R1 IS A 2003 MODEL AND WAS MADE BETWEEN THESE DATES. IS THIS A WAY TO LET THEM OFF THE HOOK BY REDUCING THE NUMBERS RECALLED . I DONOT UNDERSTAND WHY YAMAHA SHOULD BE AWARDED FOR MAKING A DEFECTIVE CYCLE THAT IS A DANGER TO THE OPERATOR. *TR

Other Yamaha YZFR1 model years

Check your 2003 Yamaha YZFR1 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Yamaha YZFR1 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Yamaha VIN