Yamaha Motorcycle Recall Issued Over Brake Failure Risk

Yamaha Motor Corp is recalling thousands of motorcycles due to a defective front brake switch, which may lead to increased crash risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Yamaha motorcycle recall on December 28, impacting about 18,000 vehicles from model years between 2013 and 2020.

According to the manufacturer, the front brake switch may fail due to an increased resistance from silicon oxide. If the front brake switch fails, it can cause the brake light to stay on continuously. It can also cause the cruise control system to shut off unexpectedly. In both situations the risk of crash is increased, posing a risk to owners.

Owners of recalled Yamaha motorcycles are being urged not to ride their motorcycle until the problem has been fixed.

Yamaha motorcycles affected by the recall include FJR1300 model years 2013-2020; MT10 model years 2017-2020; Tracer GT (MTT9GT) model years 2018-2020; model year 2019 Nike GT (MXTGTKL); Super Tenere (XTZ12) model years 2018-2020; Star Venture (XV1900) model years 2018-2021; and the 2018 model year Star Eluder (XV1900B).

Affected units must have the front brake switch replaced with a new one that was manufactured properly. The new switch component has a 1 mm circular mark molded onto the back of the switch to aid in identification.

Yamaha plans to notify owners of the recall later this month. Owners can then follow Yamaha instructions and take the motorcycles to dealers to have the problem resolved free of charge.

Owners can contact Yamaha at 1-800962-7926 with additional questions regarding the recall. Owners can also contact the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236 of go to www.safecar.gov if they own any of these motorcycles or have experienced incidents with the vehicles.