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WR250R & WR250X Recalls

There have only been two safety recalls on the WR250R and WR250X in the US. Both are free to fix at any Yamaha dealer, and recall work doesn’t expire, so a bike that has changed hands a few times can still be fixed. If you’re buying a used WR, checking for open recalls takes two minutes and should be your first step.

Model years covered by each WR250R / WR250X recall The stator coil recall covers 2008 to 2015 WR250R and 2008 to 2011 WR250X. The clutch push lever seal recall covers 2014 to 2016 WR250R only. Stator coil · WR250R · 2008–2015 Stator coil · WR250X · 2008–2011 Clutch seal · WR250R · 2014–2016 Stator coil recall (15V-410): 2008–2015 WR250R Stator coil recall (15V-410): 2008–2011 WR250X Clutch push lever seal recall (16V-800): 2014–2016 WR250R ’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20 Stator coil (15V-410) Clutch seal (16V-800)
Model years covered by each recall. Recalls are issued by build date, so check your VIN to be sure.

How To Check Your Bike

  1. Find your 17-character VIN. It’s stamped into the steering head (the frame tube behind the handlebars), and it’s also on your title and registration.
  2. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The results show any recall that applies to your bike and whether the work has already been done.
  3. If anything comes up as open, call any Yamaha dealer’s service department and book it in. The parts and labor are free.

You can also call Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926.

Stator Coil Recall (2015)

NHTSA Campaign15V-410
ModelsR 2008–15
X 2008–11
Bikes12,721
FixNew stator

This is the big one, and it covers most WRs sold in the US. The insulation on the original stator coil wasn’t heat-resistant enough and could break down and short out over time. When that happens the charging system can’t keep up, so the bike slowly drains its battery while you ride.

The warning signs, in order:

  1. The speedometer display stops working
  2. The lights go dim
  3. The engine stalls, and won’t restart

The stall is the dangerous part: it can happen in traffic or a long way from home. It also looks a lot like a tired battery, so if you’re chasing a battery that keeps going flat, check this recall before you buy a new one.

The fix: The dealer replaces the stator coil with a revised part that has better heat resistance. Yamaha began notifying owners on July 30, 2015.

Clutch Push Lever Seal Recall (2016)

NHTSA Campaign16V-800
ModelsR 2014–16
Bikes2,550
FixNew seal

This one only affects the WR250R, and only bikes built between August 2013 and June 2016. A problem in the assembly process meant the oil seal on the clutch push lever could crack. If it does, engine oil leaks out of the left side of the engine where the clutch cable attaches. Oil can reach the rear tire, which is a serious crash risk.

What to look for: Oil weeping around the clutch push lever, or an oily film on the left side of the engine, swingarm, or rear tire.

The fix: The dealer replaces the clutch push lever oil seal. Yamaha’s internal campaign number is 990108, which is handy to quote when you call the dealer.

Not A Recall: Early Fuel Pump Failures

There’s one more well-known problem worth knowing about, even though it was never a recall. Some early fuel pumps, mostly on 2008 bikes with some reports from 2009 and 2010, fail when they get hot.

The pattern: The bike runs fine cold, then stalls once it’s fully warmed up. After it cools down it starts again. The stalls get more frequent until the pump stops working altogether.

Quick check: Turn the key on and listen. You should hear the pump run for a couple of seconds as it primes. If you don’t hear it after a hot stall, the pump is the likely cause. Rule out a weak battery first, though, because the fuel injection misbehaves when the battery is below about 12.5 volts (and see the stator recall above).

The fix: Replace the pump. Yamaha revised the part, and the current OEM pump is part number 3D7-13907-14-00, which replaces the earlier -10-00 and -13-00 versions. Aftermarket pumps are available for much less, but reports on their long-term reliability are mixed. The pump comes out of the fuel tank after you drain the tank and remove it from the bike.

If you’re not sure whether your bike’s pump has been replaced, the diagnostics mode can help you rule out other faults first.