Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
32,000 miles · Jun 15, 2017
Power Train
MISHAFT SNAPPED, CAUSING THE NUT TO POTENTIALLY LOCKUP THE DRIVE SHAFT AND REAR WHEEL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASH. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE FORUMS FOR THE VSTAR 1100 SERIES. SHAFT SNAPS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CAN BE DISTINGUISHED BY A HIGH PITCH WHINE DURING DECELERATION AS …
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MISHAFT SNAPPED, CAUSING THE NUT TO POTENTIALLY LOCKUP THE DRIVE SHAFT AND REAR WHEEL, POTENTIALLY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND CRASH. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THE MOTORCYCLE FORUMS FOR THE VSTAR 1100 SERIES. SHAFT SNAPS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CAN BE DISTINGUISHED BY A HIGH PITCH WHINE DURING DECELERATION AS THE BROKEN-OFF SHAFT NUT GRINDS AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT.
NHTSA ODI #10995373
20,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Power TrainCrash
2001 YAMAHA VSTAR MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT UBOLT SNAPPED. THE MIDDLE GEAR LOCKED CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. AFTER INSPECTION FROM MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE U JOINT BOLT SNAPPED APPARENTLY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. SUFFERED ONLY MINOR INJURY. CALLED YAMAHA AND NOT RECALLS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410186
7,805 miles · May 11, 2004
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2001 YAMAHA V-STAR 1100 CLASSIC. MY MOTORCYCLE IS EXPERIENCING WHAT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH STARTERS FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE MODEL. SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, YAMAHA WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE 1100 V-STAR 1100 FORUM, THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBL…
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I HAVE A 2001 YAMAHA V-STAR 1100 CLASSIC. MY MOTORCYCLE IS EXPERIENCING WHAT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH STARTERS FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE MODEL. SINCE THE MOTORCYCLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, YAMAHA WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE 1100 V-STAR 1100 FORUM, THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED BY YAMAHA. MY MOTORCYCLE IS DISPLAYING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT INDICATE A FAULTY STARTER, I.E "TWISTED CONNECTOR BOLTS". IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN FORCE YAMAHA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?
NHTSA ODI #10072417
6,100 miles · Apr 9, 2004
Electrical System
THE STARTER MOTOR ASSEMBLY OF THE YAMAHA V STAR 1100CC IS DEFECTIVE, IT CAUSES THE METAL SCREW ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE STARTER TO BEND AND CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE NOT TO START DUE TO KICKBACK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065810
3,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Electrical System
THE VEHICLE HAD JUST PASSED THE WARRANTY DATE WHEN THE STARTER FAILED. THE DEALER WAS CONSULTED ALONG WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NEITHER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAID FOR IT. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10034400
25,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Electrical System
I OWN A 2001 YAMAHA V-STAR 1100 MOTORCYCLE. THIS MODEL OF YAMAHA HAS A STARTER DEFECT. THE STARTER DOES NOT HAVE A CLUTCH AND UPON SHUTDOWN OF THE MOTOR THE STARTER KICKS BACK AND TWISTS THE STARTER BACKWARDS THROWING IT OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND BREAKING THE ALIGNMENT TABS OFF. THEY HAVE RECENTLY COME OUT WITH A NEW STARTER WITH A …
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I OWN A 2001 YAMAHA V-STAR 1100 MOTORCYCLE. THIS MODEL OF YAMAHA HAS A STARTER DEFECT. THE STARTER DOES NOT HAVE A CLUTCH AND UPON SHUTDOWN OF THE MOTOR THE STARTER KICKS BACK AND TWISTS THE STARTER BACKWARDS THROWING IT OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND BREAKING THE ALIGNMENT TABS OFF. THEY HAVE RECENTLY COME OUT WITH A NEW STARTER WITH A CLUTCH, BUT CHARGE UPWARDS OF $300.00 FOR IT. I FEEL THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ALSO. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10030996
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
EquipmentCrashInjury
CONSUMER STATES THAT BIKE'S FLOOR BOARDS FOLDED UP WHILE RIDING, TRAPPING CONSUMER'S FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE BIKE CRASHED AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED SEVERAL INJURIES. MR SCC
NHTSA ODI #8020804
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Yamaha XVS1100 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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