AI Damage2002 Yamaha XVS650: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Yamaha XVS650 filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 46% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 15% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 8% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (46% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On these model the shaft on the final-drive going into the rear differential is not oiled nor has enough grease to last over 10k miles. I have had this bike serviced at every service interval and greasing the splines is not in the service.
The driveshaft stripped while coming to a stop. A defect in design. Water rusted the driveshaft.
I got the recall notice from yamaha about the defect. I contacted the closest dealer for the repair as instructed by the mfg. The dealer wants me to pay a deposit before ordering the parts required to repair the defect named in the recall! I then contacted the mfg. To voice my complaint, and got left on terminal hold.
The rear tire contained cracks in the sidewall. The rear tire was cracking all around the sidewall. The dealer suggested that this was normal. The tire was dry rotted. The dealer also stated that there were large amounts of static electricity that could have caused the problem.
While driving up a slight incline clutch would not engage and motorcycle stalled. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic claimed that vehicle was performing as designed.
My complaint is the lack of notification of maintenance and lubrication of the drive shaft coupler can cause it to seize resulting in injury or death. That is the legal basis for my complaint.
Starter failure on 2002 yamaha v-star 1100 motorcycle due to design failure to prevent "kickback" upon starting. Very high incidence of failure with models prior to 2003 when starter was redesigned. Yamaha will not acknowledge any responsibility.
If gone unnoticed, the fuel tank could have leaked gasoline on hot motor causing a fire or explosion.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XVS650 has 5 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 13, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Yamaha XVS650?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Yamaha XVS650?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Yamaha XVS650 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.