Recall 15V593 covers 16 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles with an upper triple clamp defect. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised Yamaha dealer.
A fractured upper triple clamp can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the motorcycle, including short trips, until the recall repair is complete. If it has to move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair will be free at any franchised Yamaha dealer once available.
Yamaha is recalling 16 2015 YZF-R3 motorcycles because the upper triple clamp, also called the handle crown, was incorrectly manufactured and can crack while riding. Do not drive the motorcycle if your VIN is included; a fractured clamp can cause loss of steering control, and the Yamaha dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
On the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3, the upper triple clamp, also called the handle crown, is the steering bridge at the top of the front forks. It holds the fork tubes in alignment and carries steering input from the handlebars into the front end of the motorcycle.
In recall 15V593, Yamaha says this clamp was manufactured incorrectly on affected motorcycles built during the covered 2015 production range. Because the clamp is a structural steering part, a crack while riding is not cosmetic. A cracked handle crown weakens the connection that keeps the bars, fork tubes, and front wheel working together.
There is no warning sign before failure. If your YZF-R3 is included, treat any unusual looseness, movement, or visible cracking around the handle crown as a reason to stop riding and contact a Yamaha dealer.
Who's affected?
| 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 | steering wheel |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 16 |
Not every 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fractured upper triple clamp can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the motorcycle, including short trips, until the recall repair is complete. If it has to move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair will be free at any franchised Yamaha dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the motorcycle until Yamaha confirms the upper-triple-clamp repair path for your VIN.
- Arrange a tow if the motorcycle has to be moved to the dealer; do not ride it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Yamaha dealer about the free upper-triple-clamp replacement, which fixes the crack-prone handle crown linked to loss of steering control.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it. Reference recall number 15V593 and Yamaha recall 990099 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Yamaha's notice says the recall began on October 16, 2015. At the dealer, a Yamaha technician replaces the incorrectly manufactured upper triple clamp, also called the handle crown, with a new clamp. The final dealer repair will be free once available, including parts and labor. Before you bring in the motorcycle, call a Yamaha dealer with your VIN and ask whether the clamp is ready for your appointment.
Timeline
| September 23, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V593?
Recall 15V593 covers 16 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 motorcycles with an upper triple clamp that can crack while riding. If that clamp fractures, the rider can lose steering control. Do not drive an affected motorcycle until a Yamaha dealer replaces the clamp for free.
What should I do if my 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 15V593. Do not drive it if your VIN is included. Call a franchised Yamaha dealer, reference recall 15V593 or Yamaha recall 990099, and ask how to get the motorcycle moved for the free repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Yamaha dealers will replace the upper triple clamp with a new one free of charge, and Yamaha customer service is available at 1-800-962-7926.
What does do not drive mean for this Yamaha YZF-R3 recall?
Do not drive means the motorcycle should stay parked until the dealer completes the recall repair. The defect involves a steering part that can fracture while riding. If the motorcycle has to be moved, ask the Yamaha dealer about pickup or towing before riding it.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V593000 |
|---|---|
| Yamaha customer service | 1-800-962-7926 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V593 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V593000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →