Recall 14V044 affects 24,000 2009-2013 Yamaha YZFR1 and XTZ12 motorcycles for headlight sockets that can overheat. Repair is free at any franchised Yamaha dealer.
Yamaha is recalling 24,000 2009-2013 YZFR1 and XTZ12 motorcycles because headlight heat can expand bulb connections, cause arcing, and melt the socket. A headlight malfunction reduces the rider's ability to see clearly and raises crash risk, and the repair will be free at a Yamaha dealer once available.
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What's wrong?
The headlight socket on the 2009-2013 Yamaha YZFR1 and XTZ12 holds the headlight bulb and connects it to the motorcycle's electrical wiring. When the headlight is on, current passes through the bulb connections so the lamp stays lit and visible to the rider and other traffic.
On affected motorcycles, normal headlight use generates enough heat at the bulb connections to make the connections expand. That expansion can create arcing inside the headlight bulb socket, which is an electrical jump across a poor contact point. The extra heat from arcing can overheat and melt the socket, leaving the headlight unable to work as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the socket has already overheated, an owner can notice the headlight flicker, go out, or stop working when the bulb connection no longer holds steady contact.
Who's affected?
The YZFR1 scope runs from 2009 through 2013, while the XTZ12 scope covers 2012 and 2013; both use the same headlight component.
| 2013 Yamaha YZFR1 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2010 Yamaha YZFR1 | Headlights |
| 2012 Yamaha YZFR1 | Headlights |
| 2009 Yamaha YZFR1 | Headlights |
| 2011 Yamaha YZFR1 | Headlights |
| 2012 Yamaha XTZ12 | Headlights |
| 2013 Yamaha XTZ12 | Headlights |
| Units affected | 24,000 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed headlight makes it harder for the rider to see the road and harder for oncoming traffic to see the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash. If the headlight stops working, avoid night riding and poor visibility, then arrange service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Yamaha dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Yamaha YZFR1 or XTZ12 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Yamaha dealer and ask whether the free headlight-socket replacement that fixes the overheating socket is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 14V044 when you call Yamaha or the dealer.
- Avoid riding at night or in low-visibility conditions until the headlight-socket replacement is complete.
- Bring the recall notice to the dealer if you received one; the dealer repair is free.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Yamaha technician replaces the headlight socket covered by recall 14V044. The socket is the connection point for the headlight bulb, and Yamaha's remedy replaces that part so the bulb connection does not overheat at the socket. The dealer repair is free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Yamaha's record says the recall began on March 10, 2014. Reimbursement details are not listed in the provided recall record, so this section does not add a reimbursement claim.
Timeline
| February 10, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 10, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V044?
Recall 14V044 covers 24,000 Yamaha YZFR1 and XTZ12 motorcycles with headlight bulb socket connections that can overheat, arc, melt, and cause the headlight to malfunction. Yamaha dealers replace the headlight socket for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Yamaha YZFR1 or 2012-2013 Yamaha XTZ12 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 14V044. If it is, contact a franchised Yamaha dealer to schedule the headlight socket replacement. Reference recall number 14V044 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Yamaha dealers replace the headlight socket free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Yamaha dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is headlight failure. If the headlight malfunctions, the rider has reduced visibility, and oncoming traffic has less ability to see the motorcycle. That increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN and have the free headlight socket repair completed.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for headlight malfunction, including a headlight that cuts out, flickers, or stops working. The recall issue comes from heat at the bulb socket connections, which can lead to arcing, overheating, and melting. Schedule the free dealer repair if your VIN is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V044000 |
|---|---|
| Yamaha customer service | 1-800-962-7926 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V044 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V044000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →