Yamaha Motor Corporation USA has issued a recall for the 2015-2020 Yamaha YZF-R3, MT03, Xmax motorcycles and scooters for a manufacturing defect with the rear reflectors. According to sources, the rear reflector assembly may not comply with safety standards in relation to the luminosity. The reflectors may lose luminosity due to condensation or other contaminants sticking on to the reflector lens, compromising its reflection capabilities.
It is being reported that 31,000 vehicles could have been potentially involved and the estimated percentage with the defect is 50%. Yamaha models produced between March 2015 and March 2020. Yamaha Motor Corporation USA was informed about the defect by the manufacturer, Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing, in late September. The fault was determined following a quality control review of foreign models that essentially use a similar part design.
The brand will be replacing the affected parts with a new rectified part from a new lot of production which can be identified by production lot date markings of ‘MC21’ and later. Furthermore, sources revealed that the new part was delivered to the assembly area and older reflector assemblies that were suspicious were disposed off. It is important to note that a less reflective rear reflector increases the risk of crash but no accidents or injuries pertaining to the fault were reported. Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge.
In the recent past, Yamaha launched the 2021 ‘Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition YZF-R3’ in the international market priced at USD 5,599 (MSRP). The special edition motorcycle draws its design inspiration from the MotoGP YZR-M1 motorcycle raced by Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales and demands USD 300 more than the standard 2021 Yamaha YZF-R3 which is priced at USD 5,299 (MSRP). The special edition YZF-R3 features Monster Energy graphics in Black, Blue and Green with Monster Energy and ENEOS badging. Apart from the race-livery, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition remains mechanically unchanged.