Yamaha Motorcycle Recall Issued Due to Headlight Failure Risk

Yamaha Motor Corporation has recalled roughly 24,000 motorcycles due the potential for the headlight socket to melt and cause the headlight to malfunction, which may pose a serious crash risk for motorcycle drivers.  

The Yamaha motorcycle recall was announced by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on February 21, after the manufacturer recognized the headlight may produce such high levels of heat that the internal components can melt, causing the headlight to burn out.

The head lights can produce heat at levels that may cause the bulb connections to expand resulting in an arcing of the head light bulb socket. When this happens the socket can overheat and melt causing the headlight to malfunction and cause a safety hazard on the road.

The recall includes 2009-2013 Yamaha YZFR1 models, which were manufactured from October 2008 through August 2013, as well as 2012-2013 Yamaha XTZ12 models, which were manufactured from October 2011 through August 2013.

The motorcycles were manufactured in Iwata, Japan by Yamaha Motor Company and imported through Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. where they were distributed for sale at Yamaha dealers nationwide.

Yamaha Motors first recognized the malfunction on January 31, and informed its distributor of the hazard after a quality control test was performed concluding a recall was necessary.

Headlight malfunction for motorcycle riders poses a severe hazard for both the driver of the motorcycle and for other motorists on the roadway due to the compact size of the bike and possible weather conditions. With traffic accident deaths three times greater at night than day time, headlight malfunction at night is particularly dangerous because other motorist’s depth perception and peripheral vision are compromised.

Yamaha plans to notify owners and dealers of the malfunction at the beginning of February by sending written notice indicating the problem, the hazards, and the solution which will include taking the motorcycle to their nearest dealer to replace the headlight socket free of charge. Customers with questions may contact Yamaha Motors at 1-800-962-7926.

Photo courtesy of Miguel C  / C.C. by 2.0