AI Damage2009 Yamaha XVS950: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Yamaha XVS950 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 60% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 20% of all complaints
- Suspension: 3 complaints (60% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 yamaha xvs95ctyr (na). While driving at 65 mph, the rear of the motorcycle wheel bearing locked up. The failure recurred twice. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer. The technician inspected the vehicle, but was unable to diagnose the failure. The motorcycle was not repaired.
2009 yamaha star motorcycle xvs950. Consumer states motorcycle started to lug and wobble while riding. The consumer stated when she managed to stop,, there was grease all over the rear of the motorcycle around the rear axle. The consumer's husband notice the axle was broken and on one side had fallen out.
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.
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 contact stated while driving 60 mph or at a higher speed the motorcycle vibrates excessively and causes the contacts feet to move off of the footboard. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer who test drove it but was unable to duplicate the failure. The motorcycle was not repaired.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the XVS950 has 4 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Yamaha XVS950?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (20%), vibration (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Yamaha XVS950?
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 2009 Yamaha XVS950 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 2009 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.