Mandatory recall coming: Hard start

[KCW]

Overnight, I exchanged emails with the powerplant engineer that I have been dealing with at Yamaha Japan.

He has confirmed that there's a pending recall that will cover 2012 - 2015 Super Tenere's (2016 is excluded, and for now, only USA models) and is to be issued Feb 1. The recall is for the hard start issue that some of us have experienced.

Now the interesting part; the recall is one which Yamaha considers MANDATORY. And they're linking it to emissions, which according to Yamaha, in 47 states (Hawaii, Michigan, and Nevada according to some research I've done) means that we will have to comply with the recall before our next vehicle registration.

I am so thankful that the hard start issue will be fixed! Thank you Yamaha for fixing this known issue that plagues our bikes!

 

[Dogdaze]

Thanks for the follow up KCW! ::008::
Wait a minute! What about the rest of the world? Or don't we count as we are less likely to start litigation proceedings.........

 

[OldRider]

I wonder how this will effect riders who have had a reflash done. I know that ECUnleashed said the high cost of the reflash was to cover all the time that went into developing the software. I don't think the actual act of doing the reflash has any cost involved at all. I hope that if Yamaha resets the ecu, ECUnleashed will let us send the ecu back and get it reflashed. ??????

 

[Defekticon]

I wonder what will happen if you've sync'd the TB using both adjustment screws. (or if it matters) since it's emissions sensitive.

 

[Ramseybella]

I wonder how this will effect riders who have had a reflash done. I know that ECUnleashed said the high cost of the reflash was to cover all the time that went into developing the software. I don't think the actual act of doing the reflash has any cost involved at all. I hope that if Yamaha resets the ecu, ECUnleashed will let us send the ecu back and get it reflashed. ??????

Good and serious point!
What your saying we will have no choice but to bring it in if we want to or not or your not going to be riding it?
I own a 1012 hate to loose the flash and I have had one hard start in 40k miles, that was before the flash..

 

[Kurgan]

Now the interesting part; the recall is one which Yamaha considers MANDATORY. And they're linking it to emissions, which according to Yamaha, in 47 states (Hawaii, Michigan, and Nevada according to some research I've done) means that we will have to comply with the recall before our next vehicle registration.

I don't think that's accurate. They can't link their recall to vehicle registrations in all those states for 2 key reasons off the top of my head.

1. Many states don't require motorcycle emissions testing of any kind in order to register or renew plates, whether the bike is new, used or brought across state lines as new or used.

2. Auto manufacturers for years have provided revised ECU's or programming due to drivability issues, which ultimately are tied to emissions. Again, no linking that to vehicle registraton renewals in any state I've lived or had vehicles registered within.

 

[twodogs]

::017::

 

[Bryce]

Overnight, I exchanged emails with the powerplant engineer that I have been dealing with at Yamaha Japan.

He has confirmed that there's a pending recall that will cover 2012 - 2015 Super Tenere's (2016 is excluded, and for now, only USA models) and is to be issued Feb 1. The recall is for the hard start issue that some of us have experienced.

Now the interesting part; the recall is one which Yamaha considers MANDATORY. And they're linking it to emissions, which according to Yamaha, in 47 states (Hawaii, Michigan, and Nevada according to some research I've done) means that we will have to comply with the recall before our next vehicle registration.

I am so thankful that the hard start issue will be fixed! Thank you Yamaha for fixing this known issue that plagues our bikes!

What's this "we" stuff? You're in Hawaii, and according you you, exempt from it. Also, from what you've said, you have 2016 model now, which you say is also not part of this recall. It doesn't sound like you have to comply.

I'm not sure why Yamaha engineers would be telling you all this, and I'd really have suspected that that would have made you sign a NDA as part of any agreement over your bike that went up in flames.

Like others, I've never heard of a recall being tied to registration in my state.

 

[KCW]

Below, you will find a copy of the recall notice that I was sent by my contact at Yamaha.


Manufacturer: Yamaha Motor Corp, USA

SUMMARY:
Yamaha Motor Corp, USA is recalling certain model year 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 XTZ1200 and XTZ1200E motorcycles manufactured between Feb 12, 2011, and September 12, 2015, equipped with engine control unit part numbers 23P-8591A-30-00, 23P-8591A-70-00, and 2BS-8591A-30-00. The engine control units may exhibit a fault leading to an engine flooded condition with the subsequent inability to start the motor.

CONSEQUENCE:
Flooded condition followed by clearing procedure using prolonged starter engagement may lead to fire causing injury or death to operator.

REMEDY:
Yamaha Motor Corp, USA will notify owners and recall repair kits will be available free of charge via Yamaha dealers. The recall is expected to begin on February 5, 2016. Owners may contact Yamaha Motor Corp, USA customer service at (800) 962-7926.

NOTES:
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.

 

[Bryce]

And they gave you the NHTSA Campain Numer also, right?

 

[WJBertrand]

If it's true, I will wait until others report how the bike runs. On the up side, maybe those with the gen 1 programming and no flash might get something more like the gen2 programming plus whatever the fix is.


-Jeff

 

[markjenn]

Guys, at face value this looks legit. News of pending recalls does tend to trickle out like this before it is announced via official channels.

As others have said, there usually isn't any angle where states can withhold vehicle registration if someone doesn't want to have a recall performed. I think CARB and CA might be an exception since they're both at the state level and the state has its own emissions standards that it can enforce through withheld vehicle registration if they want. But this is a safety recall, not an emissions recall. Bottom line is that if you're happy with the way your bike is starting/running right now, you can do nothing if you choose.

- Mark

 

[RIVA]

I'd also be surprised by a recall notice that was due to come out in 10 days, in which a Yamaha engineer felt free enough to tell a non Yamaha employee about in an email, and yet no where else on the web is there any hint of this recall notice. So evidently, only Yamaha and this one guy in the whole world know this recall is coming. That sounds...odd, to say the least, let alone the whole "tied to your registration renewal" thing. I guess we'll see in ten days.

Time will tell. Also, the less said, is often the easiest mended. ::014:: ::015::

 

[iClint]

I'd wager a 10'er this is bullshit.

 

[simmons1]

Guys, at face value this looks legit. News of pending recalls does tend to trickle out like this before it is announced via official channels.

As others have said, there usually isn't any angle where states can withhold vehicle registration if someone doesn't want to have a recall performed. I think CARB and CA might be an exception since they're both at the state level and the state has its own emissions standards that it can enforce through withheld vehicle registration if they want. But this is a safety recall, not an emissions recall. Bottom line is that if you're happy with the way your bike is starting/running right now, you can do nothing if you choose.

- Mark

A voice of reason in this thread. I live in Texas and currently own three bikes that have outstanding safety recalls on them:

2004 KLR that the recall on the exhaust that has been outstanding on it for almost 10 years.

2012 Goldwing for the brake system that may cause the rear wheel to lock up.

2012 Super Tenere has two outstanding recalls on it. Fuel Tank and headlight harness.

None of them have prevented me from getting the bikes inspected or registered.

I have also never had a hard start on my Flashed bike.

 

[JRE]

I can't imagine any state/company REQUIRING recall work done for a problem that has to do with STARTING a vehicle. Now, if it suddenly shut down or fell apart in motion, that would be a significant hazard to the rider and others on the road which may make a requirement more plausible but I've never heard of a mandatory recall.

That said, the "mandatory" part of the recall may be that if you don't bring it in for the required work, that means you are accepting liability for any costs/injuries/issues arising from the problem which you neglected to have fixed and Yamaha is indemnified from litigation.

 

[roy]

I hope it's real my stock 2012 with 37k miles on it has had two hard starts in the last month. Total to date 5 since new. Last two it did start without pulling the FI fuse but it certainly had the misfire up front which resulted in it turning over quite a bit after that. Brand new Yuasa battery in it this past September so a low battery is not the cause. I also use real premium gas and no ethanol fuel if I can avoid it.

 

[Big Blu]

Seems to me it best to have the recall done then live with the risk of the consequence. Chances are your insurance company would invalidate a claim for any fire damage if the recall were not done.
"CONSEQUENCE:
Flooded condition followed by clearing procedure using prolonged starter engagement may lead to fire causing injury or death to operator."

Paul

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I think it can be "mandatory" if you bring it into a dealer for work. They may not be "allowed" by corporate to release the bike without that work being done. I've had that happen before with a Harley but that was a safety recall and not something like the hard start issue some have.

Never had the hard start and will probably never visit another dealer shop with this bike again...they've screwed it up too many times for me to ever trust any of them again.

 

[WJBertrand]

I guess a fire could be considered a massive emissions problem, as well as the obvious safety issues.