Yamaha utility vehicles

5 reports to CPSC, the latest made Jul 15, 2024. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search

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At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 31, 2026.

5reports to CPSC
Jul 15, 2024the latest report was made
Apr 22, 2011the earliest
5with the company’s comments

Brand: Yamaha
Maker: YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USAMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product: Utility vehiclesOff-road, not licensed for the roadCPSC’s product type: Utility Vehicles (code 5044), in Sports and Recreation: Recreational Vehicles (Unlicensed)

Other ways the reports write the brand (2)

“Yamaha Wolverine X4” and “[Yamaha]”

By month

1 report from August 2023 to July 2024; the most in July 2024, 1. 4 earlier reports, since April 2011, are in the table.

The numbers, as a table

Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
Month	Reports
July 2024	1
January 2021	1
April 2019	1
February 2019	1
April 2011	1

How badly anyone was hurt

Death 2
No one hurt 3 CPSC: Incident, No Injury

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily.

No one hurt
Made Jul 15, 2024, sent to the company Jul 18, 2024, published by CPSC Aug 2, 2024

The product, in the report: Side-by-side

I have a 2019 Yamaha Wolverine X4.
I took it on a 6 mile trek in the woods.
I returned to my cabin, parked the Wolverine next to my [REDACTED], left it idling and went inside for ~ 3 minutes.
In that time the Wolverine was consumed by fire.
911 was called and I immediately applied water from a garden hose on the fire.
19 minutes later the fire department arrived and applied fire retardant foam to the fire.
29 minutes after the 911 call the fire was contained but both the Wolverine and the [REDACTED] were burned down to the frame.
If this fire had happened 5 minutes earlier the Yamaha would have ignited a giant fire on Idaho State forest land.
No injuries were experienced.
I have pictures and video of the event.
I am having difficulty contacting Yamaha but will continue to do so.
I am leaving the carcass of the Yamaha in place so that hopefully an engineer from Yamaha can come and determine root cause.

Model
Wolverine X4, model YXF850
UPC
See VIN above
Serial number
VIN [REDACTED]
Bought from
Priest Lake Power Sports
Bought
Aug 1, 2019, about then
Where
Coolin, Idaho: Other
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Yamaha Wolverine X4, made or sold by YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(7/31/2024) YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA: These comments are submitted in response to Report Number 20240715-4056B-2147337955. Yamaha disputes the report related to the Yamaha Wolverine at issue.
This report is for a July 13, 2024 incident where the owner alleges that vehicle caught fire while it was left idling for three minutes. The report provides no additional information or details about the vehicle, its condition, storage, or maintenance history. Yamaha has been unable to locate any information indicating that the owner has contacted Yamaha or made the vehicle available for inspection. Yamaha would welcome any opportunity to speak with the owner and inspect the vehicle.
Yamaha denies any and all liability in the reported incident.
Yamaha requests that this response be included with any public disclosures of the above-referenced report.

CPSC report 20240715-4056B-2147337955. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Jan 4, 2021, sent to the company Feb 9, 2021, published by CPSC Feb 24, 2021

The product, in the report: 2020 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec Side by side 2

The seat belt alert switch does not work consistently. Sometimes it causes the engine to misfire or surge . awiggling the seat belt in the buckle will sometimes fix it temporarily

Model
YXE85WPALW
Bought from
MotoCity
Bought
Feb 10, 2020, about then
Where
New River, Arizona: Street or Highway
Who was involved
Unspecified
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Yamaha, made or sold by YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(2/19/2021) YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA: These general comments are submitted in response to Report No. 20210104-E74A4-2147366777. Yamaha disputes that the report indicates any safety or other problem related to the 2020 Yamaha Wolverine ROV at issue.
The report alleges that, on March 2, 2020, the operator of a Yamaha Wolverine asserted that the seat belt alert “does not work consistently” and sometimes “causes the engine to misfire or surge.” The operator also reported that “wiggling the seat belt in the buckle will sometimes fix it temporarily.”
Yamaha has no record of any contact from this customer or any warranty claims for the 2020 Yamaha Wolverine at issue. Yamaha recommends that the customer take the vehicle to an authorized Yamaha dealer for inspection.
Yamaha requests that this response be included with any public disclosures of the above-referenced report.

CPSC report 20210104-E74A4-2147366777. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
No one hurt
Made Apr 16, 2019, sent to the company Apr 24, 2019, published by CPSC May 8, 2019

The product, in the report: 2017 Yamaha Viking VI 4x4 side by side

Accelerator pedal freezes in accelerated position due to sub freezing temperatures when vehicle is used in wet conditions. On at least a half dozen occasions this past winter while using my Yamaha Viking VI I encountered situations where I would be using it in sub freezing temperatures around standing water and the pedal would freeze in the depressed position forcing me to pry the toe of my boot under the pedal and pull it back up. On two occasions this nearly resulted in severe injury or death due to me almost hitting a building at full speed and almost running over someone on another because the vehicle did not slow down as expected when I removed my foot from the accelerator pedal. I have called and reported this to Yamaha Motor Corp as well as the dealer I purchase it from.

Model
Viking VI
Serial number
5y4amo6y9ha100575
Bought from
Action Powersports
Bought
Jul 10, 2018, about then
Where
Wagoner, Oklahoma: Place of Recreation or Sports
Who was involved
Age 23, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
Brand Yamaha, made or sold by YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA
How badly, in CPSC’s words
Incident, No Injury

The company’s comments, in its own words

(5/3/2019) YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA: These comments are submitted in response to Report Number 20190416-95A47-2147381533. Yamaha disputes that the report indicates any safety or other problem related to the Yamaha Viking VI ROV at issue.
The report of harm alleges that the owner and his 23 year old son experienced the “accelerator pedal freez[ing] in accelerated position” when it was used in “sub freezing temperatures around standing water.” This reported situation involves external weather and water elements, including icing conditions, that could affect the performance of any motorized vehicle. It is also a situation that Yamaha expressly warns about in the Yamaha Viking VI owner’s manual, which states as follows (at 5-8):
CONTROL CABLES When driving in cold weather, always make sure all control cables work smoothly before starting off. WARNING! Control cables can freeze in cold weather and you could be unable to control the vehicle.
The report of harm does not suggest any safety or other problem with the Yamaha Viking VI ROV. Yamaha denies any and all liability in the reported incident.
Yamaha strongly urges all of our customers to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. In addition to the above warning and instructions, Yamaha recommends that side-by-side users should always wear seatbelts, helmets and protective clothing and never operate their side-by-side on a paved surface or a public road and never after consuming alcohol and/or drugs. Side-by-side users should also follow the other safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner’s manuals, and other product materials.

CPSC report 20190416-95A47-2147381533. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Death
Made Feb 6, 2019, sent to the company Feb 14, 2019, published by CPSC Mar 12, 2019

The product, in the report: Yamaha Viking side-by-side ATV.

A 40-year-old white male was an unrestrained passenger in a Yamaha Viking ATV (side-by-side) moving at approx. 25-35mph on a gravel road when he was either ejected or jumped from the vehicle, sustaining fatal injuries. There was a driver and another passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident, and all three men had been consuming alcohol prior to the accident.

Model
Viking
Where
Enoch Twp., United States: Street or Highway
Who was involved
Age 40, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
Unspecified
As this report names them
Brand Yamaha, made or sold by YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA

The company’s comments, in its own words

(2/25/2019) YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA: These comments are submitted in reply to Report Number 20190206-39A5A-2147382854. Yamaha disputes that the report indicates any safety or other problem related to the Yamaha Viking ROV at issue.
The report of harm alleges that, on December 31, 2018, a 40 year old male “unrestrained passenger” in a Yamaha Viking ROV was either “ejected or jumped” from the ROV traveling at “approximately 25-35 mph on a gravel road” and sustained fatal injuries. All three occupants of the ROV had been “consuming alcohol prior to the accident.” The report provides no other information or details relating to the alleged incident.
The report of harm does not suggest any safety or other problem with the Yamaha Viking ROV. Yamaha denies any and all liability in the reported incident.
Yamaha is saddened whenever anyone is injured in an incident involving a Yamaha product, and we strongly urge all of our customers to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Yamaha recommends that side-by-side users should always wear seatbelts, helmets and protective clothing and never operate their side-by-side on a paved surface or a public road and never after consuming alcohol and/or drugs. Side-by-side users should also follow the safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner’s manuals, and other product materials.

CPSC report 20190206-39A5A-2147382854. Submitter: Medical Examiner and Coroner Search for it on SaferProducts.gov
Death
Made Apr 22, 2011, published by CPSC Jun 7, 2011

The product, in the report: off road utility vehicle

The 13 YOM, 5’ 8” tall, 113 lbs., was driving the off road vehicle, with his friend inside. They were riding in a hayfield when the driver attempted to turn the steering wheel in one direction (exact direction unknown). The steering wheel spun out of the driver’s hands, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The driver (victim) fell out of the vehicle face down in the hay field and the vehicle rolled over on him. The father said that the off road vehicle’s cross bar fell onto his son’s neck. The passenger was able to push the vehicle by himself off of the victim. The paramedics and police were contacted. The victim was transported to Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, via helicopter. The victim sustained a severed stem from the spinal cord. He was pronounced dead upon arrival. An autopsy performed. However, the cause of death listed in the police report indicated that the accident resulted from an inexperienced driver driving too fast.
The vehicle was taken to by the police and kept by them for further investigation by sources such as the retailer; the mfr., the CPSC and or state/local officials (if needed).
NOTE: The father was made aware that the vehicle needed additional parts and he would not be able to take the vehicle home on the date of purchase (5/20/2009). He was advised that he could pick the vehicle up a week later The father indicated that he had to pick up the vehicle a week later due to the dealer having to install additional parts on the vehicle with the. After doing some research online the father noticed that there was a recall (Release #09-172) that was released on 3/31/2009.
The vehicle was purchased to be used around the consumer’s farm. While purchasing the vehicle, the consumer indicated “the sales person informed the consumer that he did not have to worry about the warning labels on the dashboard in the utility vehicle because it was going to be for farm use only. He also told the consumer that he didn’t have to worry about the warning label for use of 16 years or older since the vehicle would be used on the farms.” (2009) A CPSC Field investigator, [redacted], came out with a team of investigators, to examine the hay field where the off-road vehicle was driven. There was no further follow-up with the consumer regarding the investigation.

Model
[Rhino 450]
Bought from
Gable Motor Sports, New York
Bought
May 20, 2009
Where
Altamont, New York: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Who was involved
Age 13, Male
The reporter’s relation to them
My Child
As this report names them
Brand [Yamaha], made or sold by YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA

The company’s comments, in its own words

(6/8/2011) YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA: These general comments are submitted in reply to Report Number 20110422-FCB62-1178643. Yamaha disputes the accuracy and completeness of the report.
The report of harm alleges that an underage driver (thirteen years old) and a child passenger were riding in the Rhino, without adult supervision, “when the driver lost control of the vehicle.” The report of harm further states that the police report “indicated that the accident resulted from an inexperienced driver driving too fast.”
The report of harm, the police report, and an in-depth investigation of the incident conducted by CPSC indicate that there were, in fact, multiple warned-against behaviors that resulted in this incident. The young driver was under the recommended operating age of 16, was not licensed, was unsupervised, was not wearing a helmet or a seat belt, and was not operating the vehicle in a safe manner. The other young occupant was wearing a seat belt and walked away from the incident.
Yamaha is saddened whenever anyone is injured in an incident involving a Yamaha product, and we strongly urge all of our customers to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. The Rhino is only recommended for operators 16 and older with a valid driver’s license. Rhino users should always wear helmets and seatbelts and follow the safety instructions and warnings in the on-product labels, owner’s manuals and other product materials.
This incident shows the importance of adhering to these safety guidelines and does not indicate any product issue with the vehicle. Yamaha denies any and all liability in the reported incident.

CPSC report 20110422-FCB62-1178643. Submitter: Consumer Search for it on SaferProducts.gov

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

Released Oct 31, 2026 and checked Oct 31, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

Yamaha utility vehicles

At a glance

By month

How badly anyone was hurt

The reports, as CPSC published them

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources

How to read a record

Every fact names its source.

A number never stands alone.

What needs attention is marked.

The public record comes first.