The 2003 Yamaha XVS11 has 2 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints3filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Seats › Motorcycle
NHTSA recall 05V256000 · Jun 1, 2005 · 46,000 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYLES, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD BREAK IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IS OVER TIGHTENED.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seats › Motorcycle
NHTSA recall 05V067000 · Mar 3, 2005 · 179,042 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Driveline
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
1
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 3, 2016 · 50,000 milesPower train TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 YAMAHA XVS11AR-S. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUT SHEARED OFF OF THE MID SHAFT AND THE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Aug 10, 2011 · 16,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryUnknown or other I WAS RIDING DOWN I-25 NORTH GETTING OFF ONTO THE I-70 WEST EXIT. I WAS GOING TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE I HEARD A "METAL BOUNCING AROUND" NOISE IN THE BACK OF MY BIKE. WHEN I GOT ONTO THE EXIT MY TIRE LOCKED UP AND I SKID TO THE SIDE WHERE MY BIKE WENT DOWN. AFTER I GOT TO MY MECHANIC WE TOOK THE BACK APART AND FOUND OUT MY MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE. AS I WAS LOOKING FOR PARTS I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I NEED THIS INVESTIGATED. IT WILL COST ME $3250 TO FIX THE BIKE.
Jun 16, 2011 · 103,500 milesPower train › Driveline FAILURE OF THE MIDDLE DRIVE LINE INSIDE THE MOTOR. *KB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.