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: 7 of 10 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 →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
10 reports
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2022
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed. As this bike is a daily driver for myself, I'm needing to look to the aftermarket to keep myself and others safe. Yam…
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Yamaha installed from factory a speedometer that is blatantly unreadable during daytime hours. The speedometer is simply too dim to contrast with the sun and poses a hazard when trying to read your current speed. As this bike is a daily driver for myself, I'm needing to look to the aftermarket to keep myself and others safe. Yamaha knows this is an issue given the 2015 model's new version. All 2014 bolts continue to suffer from this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11464173
15,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID. *BF*JB CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY, COMPLETELY.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11243976
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2018
Steering
MY CONCERN IS THE DEATH WOBBLE THE BIKE HAS WHEN AT SPEEDS AROUND 45 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11122355
4,000 miles · Dec 19, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MOTORCYCLE IS ALMOST INDECIPHERABLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY WASHES OUT DURING THE DAYTIME. THE ENGINEERS COVERED A LOW CONTRAST BLACK AND GRAY DIGITAL DISPLAY WITH A DARK TINT. THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY ADDITION AND CONTRIBUTES TO CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR RIDERS…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2014 YAMAHA BOLT MOTORCYCLE IS ALMOST INDECIPHERABLE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY WASHES OUT DURING THE DAYTIME. THE ENGINEERS COVERED A LOW CONTRAST BLACK AND GRAY DIGITAL DISPLAY WITH A DARK TINT. THIS WAS AN UNNECESSARY ADDITION AND CONTRIBUTES TO CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR RIDERS.
NHTSA ODI #11055424
13,000 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 YAMAHA XVS950. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE AXLE AND DRIVE BELT PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ CARFAX: VIN PROVIDED HAS NO DISPLAYABLE RECORDS. UPDATED 7/5/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10919169
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
THE GLASS COVERING THE SPEEDOMETER IS TINTED AND IS SO DARK THAT READING THE SPEED OR OTHER DATA IS IMPOSSIBLE WHILE RIDING INTO, OR TANGENTIALLY, TO THE SUN.
NHTSA ODI #10837075
1 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Electrical System
WHEN RIDING INTO BRIGHT SUNLIGHT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR ODOMETER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618042
700 miles · Jun 7, 2014
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE READ IN SUNLIGHT, IT IS BLACKED OUT. IT IS DANGEROUS AS SPEED CANNOT BE DETERMINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596801
8 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Electrical System
PURCHASED MOTORCYCLE ON 12.6.13, ON THE DRIVE HOME REALIZED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS UNREADABLE. IT WAS DAYLIGHT, MID-DAY. SUN WAS BRIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO READ MY SPEED. IT'S A DIGITAL INDICATOR, WITH SMOKED LENS. WHEN RESEARCHING REVIEWS, THE ONLY COMPLAINT REGISTERED WAS THE INABILITY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS. THE …
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PURCHASED MOTORCYCLE ON 12.6.13, ON THE DRIVE HOME REALIZED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS UNREADABLE. IT WAS DAYLIGHT, MID-DAY. SUN WAS BRIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO READ MY SPEED. IT'S A DIGITAL INDICATOR, WITH SMOKED LENS. WHEN RESEARCHING REVIEWS, THE ONLY COMPLAINT REGISTERED WAS THE INABILITY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER READINGS. THE COMPANY HAS TO BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY RECALL ADJUSTMENTS. OTHERWISE, THIS SAFETY ISSUE MIGHT NOT BE CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555324
200 miles · Oct 27, 2013
Electrical System
WHEN DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THE SPEEDOMETER CAN BECOME DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THE ADDED EFFORT NEEDED TO GET A SPEED READING DISTRACTS FROM OPERATING A 2 WHEELED VEHICLE CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549733
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.
2014 Yamaha XVS950 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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