2015 Yamaha FJ-09: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 10 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Engine: 6; Unknown Or Other: 3; Power Train: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10701688 · 2015-03-25 (March 25, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 YAMAHA FJ-09. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN OF THE TENSIONER CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO FAIL. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10701688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10715704 · 2015-05-11 (May 11, 2015)
SUDDEN ONSET OF VERY LOUD CAM CHAIN/CAM CHAIN TENSIONER NOISE. METAL ON METAL CONTACT WHICH OVERTIME CAN BLOCK FILTER AND CEASE ENGINE DUE TO IMPROPER OIL DISTRIBUTION, RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. ISSUE LIKELY WITH CAM CHAIN TENSIONER. NO RECALL ISSUED AS OF YET, BUT MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING SAME, KNOWN ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10735572 · 2015-07-21 (July 21, 2015)
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED TO ADJUST CORRECTLY CAUSING CAM CHAIN TO OVER TIGHTEN WHICH LED TO CHAIN GUIDE DAMAGE. ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATED WITH METAL FILINGS
Owner-reported narrative. 5,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10735572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10735779 · 2015-07-22 (July 22, 2015)
TRAVELING AT APPROX 45 MPH VEHICLE SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART SEVERAL MINUTES LATER IT WOULD ONLY IDLE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE STALLING AGAIN. TOWED TO DEALER, UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. BIKE WAS RETURNED 2 DAYS LATER WITH ASSURANCES IT WAS RUNNING FINE. ON THE RIDE HOME, APPROX 5 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WHILE TRAVELING APPROX 60 MPH, IT SHUT OFF AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY ECU. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A NARROW TWO LANE COUNTRY ROAD WITH TRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,491 miles reported. Look up ODI 10735779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820642 · 2016-01-16 (January 16, 2016)
FACTORY SPECIFICATION FOR FINAL DRIVE CHAIN TENSION ON THE FJ-09 IS UNUSUALLY TIGHT AT 5MM - 15MM. I HAVE OWNED MORE THAN 40 MOTORCYCLES AND NONE OF THEM SPECIFIED SUCH A TIGHT TENSION. MOST MFGRS, INCL. EVERY YAMAHA I'VE EVER OWNED, SPECIFY 25MM - 35MM "SLACK" IN THE CHAIN FROM FULL TIGHT AND WHEN MEASURED WITH BIKE ON CENTERSTAND. HAVING TOO LITTLE SLACK CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE CHAIN AND/OR THE REAR SPROCKET AND/OR THE FRONT SPROCKET. IF ANY OF THESE PARTS CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT C…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824702 · 2016-02-07 (February 7, 2016)
A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT INCLUDING PICTURES AND WRITE-UP CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTP://FJ-09.ORG/THREAD/2911/12-STEP-REPLACE-OIL-PAN
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945266 · 2017-01-14 (January 14, 2017)
THE OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG IS PROTECTED BY A PROTRUDING FIN. IF THIS FIN HITS AN OBJECT IT WILL BE PUSHED INTO THE OIL PAN AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE/ FRACTURE AND RELEASE THE OIL. THIS RELEASE OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL MAY COVER THE BACK WHEEL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATH. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY FJ 09, BUT IS DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. I CALLED YAMAHA ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. BUT ON THE 2016 MODEL, THEY MOVED THE DRAIN PLUG TO THE SIDE OF THE OIL PAN, INDICATING THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052665 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT I FELT A POP IN MY LEFT HAND AND THE CLUTCH GAINED AN EXTRA HALF INCH OF SLACK. THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TRYING TO LURCH FORWARD FROM THE NOW SLIPPING CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BEGUN TO BREAK. I MANAGED TO WRESTLE THE BIKE OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF BUT ALMOST DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE MOTORCYCLE HOME AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE FURTHER. I HAD READ ONLINE OF MANY OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH CABLE BREAKING. I ATTEMPTED T…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052665 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V176000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 2015-03-25 (March 25, 2015)
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015 FJ-09 (FJ09F/FC), FZ-09 (FZ09F/FC), FZ6R (FZ6RF/FC), Super Tenere (XTZ12F/FC), Super Tenere ES (XTZ12EF/EFC), and R6 (YZF-R6) motorcycles manufactured September 1, 2014, to November 17, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, having a sharp edge on the inside of the bend instead of a smooth radius. As a result, the stopper can crack and possibly fracture at this sharp edge.
Consequence: If the stopper fractures, the transmission may not shift properly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift shaft assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on April 6, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V221000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 2017-03-31 (March 31, 2017)
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2017 FJ-09, FZ-09, and XSR900 motorcycles. The lower handlebar holder may loosen due to a painting issue and the inadequate application of the thread-locking agent.
Consequence: If the handlebars are not properly secured to the motorcycle, a loss of vehicle control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lower handlebar holder, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990114.
NHTSA campaign record ↗