2015 Yamaha YZFR1: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
1,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 4 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 100.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 |
| Engine | 1 |
Power Train: 4; Engine: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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 (2). 2 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 |
2015: 4
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10808070 · 2015-12-02 (December 2, 2015)
AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL RECALL FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE AWARE THAT MYSELF HAVE BEEN TOLD TO NOR RIDE THIS MOTORCYCLE AS THE SECOND GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL AND CAUSE CATASTOPHIC FAILURE, RESULTING IN INJURY AND OR DEATH TO RIDER. THIS EFFECTS ALL 2015 YAMAHA R1...MODEL YEAR 2015. YAMAHA IS AWARE OF THIS BUT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND ARE STILL OPERATING THESE MOTORCYCLE WITH A KNOWN DEFECT.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10808529 · 2015-12-04 (December 4, 2015)
RUMORS OF TRANSMISSION RECALL EMERGED ONLINE, SAYING THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED INSIDE THE ENGINE OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE MOTORCYCLES TRANSMISSION LOCKING AND THE BACK WHEEL LOCKING RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I CALLED YAMAHA CORP DECEMBER 2ND AND THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO STOP RIDING THE BIKE. SHE TOLD ME THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RECALL, BUT AN INTENT TO RECALL AND SHE DID NOT HAVE A TIME FRAME EXCEPT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS I WOULD RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL LETTER. THE YAMAHA REP TOLD ME THEY WILL BE OPENING U…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10808529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10808622 · 2015-12-06 (December 6, 2015)
RUMORS AROSE ABOUT AN INTENT TO RECALL ALL 2015 YAMAHA YZFR1/R1M MOTORCYCLES DUE TO A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE 2ND GEAR WHEEL AND PINION OF THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED YAMAHA MOTOR USA ON NOVEMBER 25TH, 2015 FOR CLARIFICATION. I SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER RELATIONS SPECIALIST WHO TOLD ME NOT TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE, THAT DOING SO COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. I'M CURIOUS WHY IT WASN'T A PRIORITY FOR YAMAHA TO NOTIFY OWNERS IMMEDIATELY IF THE ISSUE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. I'VE RECEIVED THE OFFICE RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809129 · 2015-12-08 (December 8, 2015)
INTERNAL YAMAHA DOCUMENTS HAVE SURFACED WHICH DETAIL A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN ALL 2015 R1'S, RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE 2ND GEAR, AND DEFORMATION/BREAKAGE OF THE 3D AND 4TH GEARS. THE FAILURE MODE CAUSES THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING.THEY STATE THAT RIDERS SHOULD CEASE RIDING IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED IN ANY MANNER.. YAMAHA HAS STATED THAT NO WARRANTY EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED. THE 2015 R1 IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE WITH 200HP AT THE CRANKSHAFT, AND APPROXIMATELY 185HP TRANSFERRED TO THE REAR WHEE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10809129 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V802000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 2015-11-30 (November 30, 2015)
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015 YZFR1, YZFR1C, YZFR1MF and YZFR1MFC motorcycles manufactured August 1, 2014, to June 1, 2015. The affected motorcycles have transmission gears that may fail.
Consequence: If the gears fail, the transmission may lock up, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Yamaha has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 99100.
NHTSA campaign record ↗