VehicleVerdict

2008 Yamaha FJR1300 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2008 Yamaha FJR1300 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other FJR1300 years?

FJR1300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted81 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 23 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 81 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 7 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 2 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints
FJR1300 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FJR1300 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Yamaha FJR1300 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System536%
Tires & Wheels214%
Transmission214%
Other17%
Brakes17%
Visibility & Wipers17%
Engine17%
Fuel System17%

Does the 2008 Yamaha FJR1300 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V338000Electrical SystemJune 27, 2011 · 9,850 units

Defect

YAMAHA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 FJR1300 MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 2006, THROUGH MARCH 2009. THE GROUND JOINT CONNECTOR OF THE WIRE HARNESS COULD OVERHEAT AND BECOME DEFORMED, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT GROUND WIRE CONNECTION. IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT PROPERLY GROUNDED, THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND/OR OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS COULD MALFUNCTION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL.

Consequence

IF THE MOTORCYCLE STALLS WHILE BEING RIDDEN, THERE COULD BE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

YAMAHA DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL WIRE SUB-LEAD OR, IF THE GROUND JOINT CONNECTOR HAS ALREADY BEEN DAMAGED FROM OVERHEATING, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW MAIN WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-962-7926.

09V002000Electrical SystemJanuary 8, 2009 · 9,325 units

Defect

YAMAHA IS RECALLING 9,300 MY 2006-2009 FJR1300 MOTORCYCLES. THE INTERNAL SWITCH WIRING COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED. IF THIS OCCURS ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOW WILL BE STOPPED AND THE ENGINE COULD STALL.

Consequence

IF THE ENGINE STALLS, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO START OR RESTART THE ENGINE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-962-7926.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ WHILE RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE AND LIGHTING WHILE RIDING IN TRAFFIC. INVESTIGATING I FOUND A FAILURE ON AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE WIRING HARNESS WHICH OVERHEATED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 7, 2011

“MY GRANDSON WAS RIDING HIS NEWLY PURCHASED YAMAHA RAPTOR 250 ATV. HE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN THE MOTOR FELL OUT CAUSED BY ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS BREAKING AWAY FROM THE FRAME, THIS CAUSED THE CHAIN TO COME OFF OF THE SPROCKET, BENDING THE SPROCKET DAMAGED THE CHAIN, SEIZED UP THE BIKE AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 23, 2008

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 YAMAHA FJR1300 RAIDER. THE VEHICLE HAS A METZLER 210MM REAR TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS MOUNTED INCORRECTLY ON THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HYDROPLANE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 1, 2008

“I HAVE A 2008 ATV 4X4 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 700. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE GAS BOILS, IT'S EXTREMELY SCARY SIGHT. IT RELEASES THE GAS FUMES WHILE RIDING INFRONT OF THE DRIVER INHALING ALL THE FUMES ALL DAY. I HAD A HEADACHE THE REST OF THE DAY AFTER RIDING. I STOP WHEN I HEARD BUBBLING SOUNDS COMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 15, 2009

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 YAMAHA FJR1300 MOTORCYLCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRRORS DO NOT EXTEND FAR OUT ENOUGH TO VIEW THE TRAFFIC IN THE REAR. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW AND WAS PURCHASED ON MARCH 14, 2009. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3 AND CURRENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 14, 2009

2008 Yamaha FJR1300 — common questions

Is the 2008 Yamaha FJR1300 reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 FJR1300 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Yamaha FJR1300 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Yamaha FJR1300. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Yamaha FJR1300 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FJR1300 years to avoid are 2007. The cleanest record among FJR1300 years belongs to 2021.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.