2015 Yamaha Fj-09 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (4) · Power Train (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2017-03-31 · campaign 17V221000 · 22,433 vehicles
Defect: Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2017 FJ-09, FZ-09, and XSR900 motorcycles. The lower handlebar holder may loosen due to a painting issue and the inadequate application of the thread-locking agent.
Risk: If the handlebars are not properly secured to the motorcycle, a loss of vehicle control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lower handlebar holder, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990114.
Power Train:manual Transmission 2015-03-25 · campaign 15V176000 · 4,900 vehicles
Defect: Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015 FJ-09 (FJ09F/FC), FZ-09 (FZ09F/FC), FZ6R (FZ6RF/FC), Super Tenere (XTZ12F/FC), Super Tenere ES (XTZ12EF/EFC), and R6 (YZF-R6) motorcycles manufactured September 1, 2014, to November 17, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, having a sharp edge on the inside of the bend instead of a smooth radius. As a result, the stopper can crack and possibly fracture at this sh
Risk: If the stopper fractures, the transmission may not shift properly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift shaft assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on April 6, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926.
Service bulletins (2)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2015-05-13 · TB-M-2015-007 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
yamaha mc: due to mounting boss being molded 0.2mm thinner then specification, a rattling noise is heard where stays and rear frame are bolted together between left and right side case stays and rear frame. model 2015 fj09f. *pe
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2015-05-11 · TE-M-2015-006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
yamaha mc: information on discontinuation of suspension oil rt-43 used for certain models and replaced by an ultra high performance m1 suspension oil. no model or years listed. *pe
What owners report
2019-06-11 · Engine · 12,000 mi“clutch basket went bad (many of this engine motorcycles with the same problem)…”
2018-02-28 · Unknown Or Other · 8,900 mi“i just had to pay to have a safety problem known to yamaha repaired. the clutch cable on yamaha fj-09s up through 2017 is know to break because of improper design. yamaha has come out with a redesigned cluth cable to fix this pro0blem. if a rider had his clutch cable break it would render the mtorocycle undriveable and potentially a major safet…”
2017-12-05 · Power Train · 10,260 mi“while sitting in traffic at a stop light i felt a pop in my left hand and the clutch gained an extra half inch of slack. the motorcycle began trying to lurch forward from the now slipping clutch. the clutch cable had begun to break. i managed to wrestle the bike out of traffic to the side of the road without injuring myself but almost dropped the m…”
2017-01-14 · Unknown Or Other · 1,500 mi · 💥 crash“the oil pan drain plug is protected by a protruding fin. if this fin hits an object it will be pushed into the oil pan and cause it to rupture/ fracture and release the oil. this release of a large amount of oil may cover the back wheel causing an accident and possibly death. this has not happened to my fj 09, but is documented on the internet. i c…”
2016-02-07 · Unknown Or Other · 1,000 mi“a full description of the incident including pictures and write-up can be found here: http://fj-09.org/thread/2911/12-step-replace-oil-pan…”
2016-01-16 · Power Train · 250 mi“factory specification for final drive chain tension on the fj-09 is unusually tight at 5mm - 15mm. i have owned more than 40 motorcycles and none of them specified such a tight tension. most mfgrs, incl. every yamaha i've ever owned, specify 25mm - 35mm "slack" in the chain from full tight and when measured with bike on centerstand. having too …”
2015-07-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,491 mi“traveling at approx 45 mph vehicle shut off. upon restart several minutes later it would only idle for a few seconds before stalling again. towed to dealer, unable to diagnose a problem. bike was returned 2 days later with assurances it was running fine. on the ride home, approx 5 miles from the dealership and while traveling approx 60 mph, it …”
2015-07-21 · Engine · 5,700 mi“cam chain tensioner failed to adjust correctly causing cam chain to over tighten which led to chain guide damage. engine oil contaminated with metal filings…”
2015-05-11 · Engine · 1,020 mi“sudden onset of very loud cam chain/cam chain tensioner noise. metal on metal contact which overtime can block filter and cease engine due to improper oil distribution, resulting in injury or death. issue likely with cam chain tensioner. no recall issued as of yet, but many complaints online regarding same, known issue. …”
2015-03-25 · Engine“tl* the contact owns a 2015 yamaha fj-09. the contact stated there was an abnormal noise coming from the timing chain of the tensioner causing the motorcycle to fail. the motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was not provided. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.