The 2003 Yamaha XVS65 has 2 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (5 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints5filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 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; Manual transmission › Lubricant
5
0
0
0
15,315 mi
Structure Frame and members
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 10, 2016 · 12,800 milesPower train 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…
Jun 28, 2013 · 4,052 milesPower train 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
Mar 1, 2010 · 27,000 milesPower train › Driveline 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
May 10, 2009 · 13,500 milesStructure › Frame and members 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
Jul 30, 2006 · 15,315 milesPower train › Driveline 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.