2002 Yamaha XVS11: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Driveline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 13 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Power Train:Driveline: 6; Power Train: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 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 (6). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
2005: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train:Driveline leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 10126390 · 2005-06-23 (June 23, 2005)
AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM (AIS), IN PARTICULAR, CHROME PIPE, RUSTED OUT LEADING TO AN EXHAUST LEAK. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. MOISTURE COLLECTS IN THE TUBE LEADING TO RUSTING. SOME HAVE REMOVE THE SYSTEM OR PLUGGED THE AIS. SINCE THIS PART OF THE EMMISSION SYSTEM LEADING TO EXHAUST VALVES I AM CONCERNED. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SITES REVEALS THIS HAPPENS AND THE SYSTEM IS BEING REMOVED.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224266 · 2008-04-12 (April 12, 2008)
WHILE APPROACHING A TOLL BOOTH A LOUD NOISE SUDDENLY DEVELOPED, EMANATING FROM THE CENTRE GEARBOX AREA OF MY ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN. INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT TIP HAD SNAPPED AT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT RETAINING NUT. IT IS FURTHER DETERMINED FROM OTHER SUCH RECORDED FAILURES POSTED ON VARIOUS YAMAHA FORUMS THAT THIS FAILURE IS CAUSED BY MICRO PRESSURE FROM REAR DRIVE/UNI JOINT ONTO MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT AND CAUSES STRESS FRACTURE/SEPARATION MID THREAD LEVEL WITH INSIDE OF RETAINING NUT. HI-RES PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE OF THE SHA…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227832 · 2008-05-14 (May 14, 2008)
2002 YAMAHA V STAR 1100 CLASSIC - WOULD NOT START, STARTER IS TWISTED, YAMAHA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT IMPROPER STARTING CAUSES THIS CONDITION, ALSO INFERS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THEY WILL NOT HOWEVER RECALL OR COMPENSATE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM (RESEARCH SHOWS HUNDREDS OF TWISTED STARTERS). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 19,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231902 · 2008-06-21 (June 21, 2008)
THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT BOLT SHEARED OF MY 2002 VSTAR 1100 CLASSIC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235570 · 2008-07-23 (July 23, 2008)
PRODUCT IS 2002 YAMAHA VSTAR 1100 MOTORCYCLE (XVS1100) PURCHASED IN 2002. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF RIDING, MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY IS IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. MANY ENTHUSIASTS OF THIS MODEL REPORT FAILURE OF ASSEMBLY WHICH IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. HAVE NOT REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY YET. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255938 · 2009-01-22 (January 22, 2009)
I OWN A 02 YAMAHA VSTAR 1100 CLASSICA AND IT'S HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT YEARS PRIOR TO 2003 THAT THE STARTER AND STARTER CLUTCH WILL FAIL AND NEED REPLACING. THIS WOULD NORMALLY RUN OVER 800 DOLLARS TO REPLACE AT THE DEALER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALOT TO THESE BIKES AND SOME HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL OF GETTING THE PARTS FOR FREE FROM THE DEALER BUT MANY HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY LIKE MYSELF. IF ONE DEALER REPLACED THE PARTS FOR ON CUSTOMER THEN THIS SHOULD BE DONE TO EVERY BIKE THAT NEEDS THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT THE BIKES MADE AFTER 0…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331867 · 2010-05-23 (May 23, 2010)
WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AROUND 30MPH ,,,ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD AND DEVELOPED A WHINE (SOUNDED LIKE TIRE WHINE)., COULD ONLY HEAR IT DURING DECELERATION. NOISE GRADUALLY GOT LOUDER. LOUD CRUNCH WAS HEARD WHEN NUT HOLDING U-JOINT TO MIDDLE GEAR DISLODGED AND BUSTED SPEEDO PICKUP. I AM A TECHNICAL MECHANIC FOR A CAR BIG CAR COMPANY ....SO AS SOON AS I COULD TAKE IT BACK TO MY SHOP ,,,, I STARTED A DIAGNOSED OF THE PROBLEM....IT TOOK 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO FIND THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVE PINION SHAFT (MIDDLE SHAFT) .. THE JOB STARTED …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,273 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10334196 · 2010-06-02 (June 2, 2010)
HAD THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT BOLT SHEAR OFF MY 1100 V STAR. AS A RESULT OF THE BOLT SHEARING OF FOR NO APPARENT REASON IT LOCKED UP THE REAR TIRE,LOST CONTROL AND NEARLY KILLED MYSELF !!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10334196 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.
05V067000 · Seats:Motorcycle
Reported: 2005-03-03 (March 3, 2005)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V256000 · Seats:Motorcycle
Reported: 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYLES, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT MOUNTING HARDWARE HOLDING THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE FENDER COULD BREAK IF THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IS OVER TIGHTENED.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗