The problem
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 WR250X motorcycles manufactured June 1, 2008, to June 1, 2011 and 2008-2015 WR250R motorcycles manufactured June 1, 2008, to June 1, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the insulation on the stator coil, a component of the alternator, may become damaged and short circuit to due insufficient heat resistance.
The risk
If the stator coil is not insulated, the motorcyle will not charge and the battery will go dead, causing the engine to stall which increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stator coil with one that has sufficient heat resistance, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926.
Contacts
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Yamaha dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 15V410000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.