AI Damage2001 Yamaha Yamaha: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Yamaha Yamaha filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 32
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 47% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 16 complaints (50% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (47% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (6% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (6% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (3% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 32 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 | 16 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
The vehicle (atv) then rolled backwards on top of me. It caused minor scrapes, bruising and soreness. Substantial damage to the bike also.when I tried to call the dealer where I had bought my bike they denied any problems with the transmision. When I asked why improvements were made to the 2002 no reply was given.
Yamaha just does not want to pay the $2000 plus each transmission failure. Mind you, the engine yamaha elected to put in the raptor is an old engine design that they pulled from a road motorcycle.
Engine still cranks with key removed but won't start unless key is in the 'on' position. Ignition switch gets extremely hot.
I know that there have been thousands of transmission failures with these atvs but yamaha has done nothing. I believe that these transmission problems could result in personal injury if the transmission lock up at high speeds. Mine however was at a lower speed.
Both components are corroded as a result of the leaking battery acid. I noticed this corrosion about a month after the motorcycle was out of its 12 month warrenty period.
The battery has leaked, spilling acid and causing corrosion to major suspension and drive components of the motorcycle. The rear swingarm, shock reservoir, chain, and rear subrame all have corrosion.
Yzfr6-nc, when turning the handlebar the throttle cable gets pinched, causing the throttle to stick. This happened in the open position, consumer had to do a emergency shut down, which ruined the transmission. Throttle cable has become stuck 3 times. Nlm
Severe engine knocking noise after heat up to operating temperature. Sounds like a diesel engine. Noise amplified depending on outside air temperature.
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 6,635 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Yamaha has 11 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 32, 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.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Yamaha Yamaha?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 32. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: transmission slipping (16%), knocking, grinding or other noise (9%), rust, corrosion (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Yamaha Yamaha?
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 2001 Yamaha Yamaha 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 2001 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.