2014 Yamaha XVS950: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data updated: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
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.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 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.
WHEN DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER CAN BECOME DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THE ADDED EFFORT NEEDED TO GET A SPEED READING DISTRACTS FROM OPERATING A 2 WHEELED VEHICLE CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
PURCHASED MOTORCYCLE ON 12.6.13, ON THE DRIVE HOME REALIZED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS UNREADABLE. IT WAS DAYLIGHT, MID-DAY. SUN WAS BRIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO READ MY SPEED. IT'S A DIGITAL INDICATOR, WITH SMOKED LENS. WHEN RESEARCHING REVIEWS, THE ONLY COMPLAINT REGISTERED WAS THE INABILITY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS. THE COMPANY HAS TO BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY RECALL ADJUSTMENTS. OTHERWISE, THIS SAFETY ISSUE MIGHT NOT BE CORRECTED. *TR
THE GLASS COVERING THE SPEEDOMETER IS TINTED AND IS SO DARK THAT READING THE SPEED OR OTHER DATA IS IMPOSSIBLE WHILE RIDING INTO, OR TANGENTIALLY, TO THE SUN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DRIVE BELT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MOTORCYCLE IS ALMOST INDECIPHERABLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY WASHES OUT DURING THE DAYTIME. THE ENGINEERS COVERED A LOW CONTRAST BLACK AND GRAY DIGITAL DISPLAY WITH A DARK TINT. THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY ADDITION AND CONTRIBUTES TO CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR RIDERS.
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-11-01.
70.0%Usable mileage7 / 10 records
100.0%Valid incident date10 / 10 records
100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates10 / 10 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2009
2010
2014
2015
2016
Steering
120.0%ODI 10465965 · 19,866 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA XVS950A MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR ARM WAS REPLACED IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,866. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT FORKS, FUEL LINE, AND REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY ALL HAD FAILURES AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. YAMAHA DID PAY …
SEVERE "DEATH WOBBLE" AT 45 MPH. VERY DANGEROUS AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, NEARLY EVERY BOLT OWNER IS REPORTING SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM THE SUB-STANDARD BEARING USED IN THE TRIPLE TREE, REMEDY IS INSTALLING NEW HIGHER QUALITY TAPERED BEARINGS. YAMAHA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION AND RESPONDED BY TELLING RIDERS TO ALWAYS HAVE TWO HANDS ON HANDLEBARS.
WHEN DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER CAN BECOME DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THE ADDED EFFORT NEEDED TO GET A SPEED READING DISTRACTS FROM OPERATING A 2 WHEELED VEHICLE CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
THE GLASS COVERING THE SPEEDOMETER IS TINTED AND IS SO DARK THAT READING THE SPEED OR OTHER DATA IS IMPOSSIBLE WHILE RIDING INTO, OR TANGENTIALLY, TO THE SUN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DRIVE BELT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
The contact owns a 2015 Yamaha XVS950 motorcycle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the motorcycle would lose motive power due to a spline transmission output failure which caused disconnection of power to the rear wheel. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 17,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA XVS950A MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE REAR WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR ARM WAS REPLACED IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,866. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT FORKS, FUEL LINE, AND REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY ALL HAD FAILURES AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. YAMAHA DID PAY …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 YAMAHA XVS950 MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE RUBBER BELT IN THE ENGINE WAS TOO TIGHT AND CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Too few reports for a range
8 mi
3 (sparse)
ODI 10549733 · 200 mi
WHEN DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER CAN BECOME DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THE ADDED EFFORT NEEDED TO GET A SPEED READING DISTRACTS FROM OPERATING A 2 WHEELED VEHICLE CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
PURCHASED MOTORCYCLE ON 12.6.13, ON THE DRIVE HOME REALIZED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS UNREADABLE. IT WAS DAYLIGHT, MID-DAY. SUN WAS BRIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO READ MY SPEED. IT'S A DIGITAL INDICATOR, WITH SMOKED LENS. WHEN RESEARCHING REVIEWS, THE ONLY COMPLAINT REGISTERED WAS THE INABILITY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS. THE COMPANY HAS TO BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY RECALL ADJUSTMENTS. OTHERWISE, THIS SAFETY ISSUE MIGHT NOT BE CORRECTED. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MOTORCYCLE IS ALMOST INDECIPHERABLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY WASHES OUT DURING THE DAYTIME. THE ENGINEERS COVERED A LOW CONTRAST BLACK AND GRAY DIGITAL DISPLAY WITH A DARK TINT. THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY ADDITION AND CONTRIBUTES TO CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR RIDERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DRIVE BELT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-11 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2015: 0 complaints · 2016: 2 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2015
0
0
0
2016
0
0
2
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2015
1
0
0
2016
2
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Vehicle Speed Control
Electrical System
Engine
Power Train
Steering
Unknown Or Other
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
—
0
1ODI 10618042 · 1 mi
WHEN RIDING INTO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR ODOMETER. *TR
Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed. As this bike is a daily driver for myself, I'm needing to look to the aftermarket to keep myself and others safe. Yamaha knows this is an issue given the 2015 model's new version. All 2014 bolts continue to suffer from this issue.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed. As this bike is a daily driver for myself, I'm needing to look to the aftermarket to keep myself and others safe. Yamaha knows this is an issue given the 2015 model's new version. All 2014 bolts continue to suffer from this issue.
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 15,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11243976 · 15,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB