2015-2020 Yamaha YZF-R3 Problems: 7 Known Issues

A radiator hose can leak coolant because the hose material was improperly cured (vulcanized). Coolant could get on the rear tire and cause it to slip, which could result in loss of control and a crash. Applies to: Certain 2015–2018 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles covered by recall 18V861 (Yamaha owner notice dated December 17, 2018). Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.

Water can contaminate the main switch and cause corrosion, which may stall the engine while riding and could lead to loss of control and a crash. Applies to: Certain 2015–2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles (primary IDs RH06Y-0001001 to 0015360) covered by recall 17V112, Yamaha campaign 990112 (bulletin M2017-001R), shared with fuel-tank recall 17V111. Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.

With frequent clutch use, the clutch pressure-plate bearing may break because its load rating is insufficient, so the clutch may fail to operate and the transmission will not shift properly. The same Yamaha campaign also fixes an oil-pump relief-valve design that can overstress the pump drive gear (recall 16V459); a broken gear could seize the engine. Either condition could cause loss of control and a crash. Applies to: Certain 2015–2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles (YZF-R3F/G, primary IDs RH06Y-0001001 to 0012320) covered by recall 16V460 and companion recall 16V459, Yamaha campaign 990105 (bulletin M2016-005R). Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.

Engine vibration can bring the fuel-tank fitting bracket into contact with the fuel tank; prolonged contact may cause fatigue cracking and fuel leakage, increasing the risk of a fire. Applies to: Certain 2015–2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles (primary IDs RH06Y-0001001 to 0015360) covered by recall 17V111, Yamaha campaign 990112 (bulletin M2017-001R), which also carries main-switch recall 17V112. Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.

The torsion spring for the gear-shift shaft could break because it was improperly shot-peened during manufacturing. A broken spring could make it difficult to shift gears, which could result in loss of control and a crash. Applies to: Certain 2015–2016 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles whose VIN's last five digits are 12240 or lower, covered by recall 18V860; Yamaha's owner notice combines it with radiator-hose recall 18V861. Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.

The handle crown (upper triple clamp) could be weakened by improper casting temperatures during manufacturing. It could crack during operation, decreasing handling stability, which could result in a crash. Applies to: Only the 16 specific 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles listed by primary ID (between RH06Y-0006766 and RH06Y-0007078, not a continuous range) in Yamaha's draft bulletin filed with NHTSA under recall 15V593. Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.

Condensation or other contaminants adhering to the lens mold during manufacturing can compromise the rear reflector's reflective properties, so it may not comply with the reflection-luminosity safety standard. Yamaha's owner notice says this increases the risk of a crash. Applies to: Certain 2015–2020 Yamaha YZF-R3 and YZF-R3A motorcycles (non-consecutive primary IDs listed in Yamaha campaign 990139) covered by recall 20V611; the recall also covers the 2020 MT-03 and 2018–2020 XMAX. Only a Yamaha dealer can confirm whether a specific VIN is included and whether the repair has been done.