2014 Yamaha Bolt recalls & problems

The 2014 Yamaha Bolt has 1 safety recall and 82 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (56 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints82filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 13V298000 · Jul 8, 2013 · 3,900 vehicles

Problem: Yamaha Motor Company (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2014 XVS950CU (Bolt) motorcycles manufactured March 2013 through June 2013. Slack or sag in the wiring harness may allow it to contact the exhaust manifold causing the wires to melt, and possibly short circuit.

Risk: If the wires short circuit, the fuses will blow which may cause the engine to stall. An engine stall while riding, increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness and secure it away from the exhaust. If the wiring harness is damaged, it will first be replaced. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Owners may contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel	56	50 mi
Vehicle speed control	23	350 mi
Exterior lighting	7	1,615 mi
Unknown or other	5	1,005 mi
Visibility/wiper	4	4,500 mi
Steering	3	1,950 mi
Visibility	2	—
Structure Body	2	—
Suspension	1	—
Wheels	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Mar 16, 2021 · 4,500 milesExterior lighting
VEHICLE METER IS DANGEROUSLY DIM. NOT VISIBLE DURING DAYLIGHT DUE TO GLARE. ONLY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MODELS ENCOUNTER THIS ISSUE. THE SPEED CAN NOT BE DETERMINED WHILE RIDING NOR ANY OTHER INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON THE METER.
Oct 1, 2018 · 6,500 milesSteering
DEATH WOBBLE- STEERING INSTABILITY AT 35-45 MPH. THIS COULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER BY USING TAPERED STEERING BEARINGS
Jul 4, 2018Electrical system
SPEEDOMETER CAN'T BE SEEN WHEN TRAVELING INTO THE SUN OR ANY TIME THE SUN IS AT THE WRONG ANGLE THAT IT CREATES A NON READABLE DISPLAY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ALMOST ANY TIME THE SUN IS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR SPEED AS WELL AS POSSIBLY CAUSING SPEEDING TICKETS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE WITH A RECALL. SERIOUSLY ISSUE.
Mar 19, 2017Exterior lighting
SPEEDOMETER CAN'T BE SEEN WHEN TRAVELING INTO THE SUN OR ANY TIME THE SUN IS AT THE WRONG ANGLE THAT IT CREATES A NON READABLE DISPLAY, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ALMOST ANY TIME THE SUN IS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR SPEED AS WELL AS POSSIBLY CAUSING SPEEDING TICKETS.
Jan 15, 2017 · 1,950 milesSteering
MY CONCERN IS THE DEATH WOBBLE THE BIKE HAS WHEN AT SPEEDS AROUND 45 MPH.
Dec 31, 2016 · 4,700 milesVehicle speed control
DURING THE DAY OR WHEN THE SUN IS BRIGHT I CAN NOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READING. ITS DIGITAL AND THERE ISN'T MUCH CONTRAST SO I CANT SEE HOW FAST I AM GOING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS CAN CAUSE ME TO CHECK MY SPEED FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME AND CAN CAUSE A SPEEDING VIOLATION OR ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, ITS TOO DIM.
Aug 20, 2016 · 3,000 milesElectrical system
BIKE SPEEDOMETER HAS AN ISSUE WHERE THE SPEED DISPLAY IS WAY TOO DIM TO SEE IN SUNLIGHT. IN THE RIGHT SUNLIGHT POSITION, IT IS COMPLETELY BLACK AND IMPOSSIBLE TO READ WITHOUT LITERALLY PUTTING YOUR HEAD INCHES FROM IT AND LOOKING AT IT FAR TOO LONG TO TRY TO MAKE ANYTHING OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHILE IN MOTION FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. THIS HAPPENS ON EVERY RIDE FOR ME AT MULTIPLE POINTS DEPENDING ON WHERE THE SUN IS. EVEN WHEN I CAN SEE THE NUMBERS, IT'S STILL TOO DIM FOR JUST A QUICK GLANCE. THERE MUST BE SOME BADLY ENGINEERED POLARIZED LENS IN THERE. THIS IS POOR DESIGN AND A SAFETY HAZARD JUST TO GET A "BLACKED OUT" LOOK. BY 2015 YAMAHA KNOWS THIS WHICH IS WHY IT'S FIXED FROM 2015 MODELS ON.…
Aug 15, 2016Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT R SPEC, THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT ILLUMINATE AT NIGHT AND IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ DURING SUNNY DAYLIGHT HOURS. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS OR HER EYES OFF OF THE ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN ATTEMPT TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER TO REMAIN AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCES OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. THE NEWER MODEL BOLT (2015-PRESENT) HAS FIXED THIS ISSUE HOWEVER YAMAHA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR REACHED OUT TO THE 2014 BOLT OWNERS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE THE POOR MANUFACTURED SPEEDOMETER.

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.