2014 Yamaha Bolt problems
Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 2014 Yamaha Bolt with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 53.8% of them — the clear leader, ahead of vehicle speed control at 22.1%.
Complaints104
Crashes0
Fires0
Injuries0
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 53.8% · 56
Vehicle speed control 22.1% · 23
Exterior lighting 6.7% · 7
Unknown or other 4.8% · 5
Visibility/wiper 3.8% · 4
Steering 2.9% · 3
Visibility 1.9% · 2
Structure 1.9% · 2
Reading the numbers
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 44 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 97 miles.
In owners' own words
The speedometer becomes impossible to read when the sun is shining on it at certain angles, making it unclear to the rider what speed the bike is currently going. This is a danger to road safety, a possibility of getting a ticket, and a nuisance. Yamaha has been unhelpful and uncooperative when approached via email and telephone. The better business bureau was also an unsuccessful avenue to file a complaint. Electrical system · reported at 7 miles
It is virtually impossible to read the speedometer on the 2014 model because Yamaha tinted the glass on the lens too much. It can only be read if the sun is out and directly behind you, or at night when the backlight can be seen. This creates an extremely unsafe riding situation. Yamaha corrected the lens on the 2015 model, but nothing has been done to correct this dangerous issue on the 2014 models. Electrical system · reported at 85 miles
Lcd speedometer/odometer is not visible (DARK) when driving toward the sun. Unable to determine the speed and other lcd readings. This causes a distraction when trying to read the meter. The speedometer/odometer is only visible when sun is behind the rider or at night. It is my understanding that Yamaha changed the speedometer/odometer on the 2015 model making it more visible. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…