Most Yamaha WaveRunners sold in Australia over a 20-month period – 1795 examples distributed from 1 July 2020 to 24 February 2022 – are the subject of a safety recall due to a fault with the fuel filler neck.
Affected models include:
- 2021 and 2022 Yamaha FX SVHO (Supercharged 1.8-litre)
- 2021 and 2022 Yamaha FX HO (1.8-litre)
- 2021 and 2022 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO (Supercharged 1.8-litre)
- 2021 and 2022 Yamaha GP1800R HO (1.8-litre)
- 2021 and 2022 Yamaha VX HO (1.8-litre)
- 2021 and 2022 Yamaha VX 1050 (1.0-litre)
The only current Yamaha watercraft models not affected by this recall are the SuperJet ‘stand-up’ ski and the entry-level Yamaha EX series.
According to the recall notice published on the Yamaha Australia website this week:
“The fuel filler neck can be pushed into the hull if the refuelling nozzle is inserted with too much force. This may prevent sealing between the filler cap and filler neck and allow fuel to leak.”
The notice continued: “A fuel leak increases the risk of fire, which could result in injury or death as well as damage to property.”
Customers are requested to contact a Yamaha WaveRunner dealer for the recall work to be completed free of charge.
Yamaha WaveRunner dealers have been told which parts to order – however delays of a month or more are expected.
It is unclear if the issue is related to the “anti-burping” valve – inside the fuel filler tube near the top of the fuel tank – that is designed to prevent fuel from overflowing when refuelling.
Early examples of the 2019 and 2020 Yamaha FX HO and FX SVHO were slow to refuel because the “anti-burping” valve was so restrictive, but later versions improved flow thanks to an additional breather hose.
Yamaha WaveRunners – as with other watercraft – are designated by “model years”, which do not necessarily apply to the manufacturing date.
Which is why some 2021 examples of affected Yamaha WaveRunners were sold in late 2020 – and why some 2022 examples of affected Yamaha WaveRunners were sold in late 2021 or early 2022.
The majority of Yamaha WaveRunners affected by this recall are 2021 model year examples because of lengthy delivery delays of 2022 models.
Few 2022 Yamaha WaveRunners have been delivered so far – but those that have made it through were primarily 2022 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO and GP1800R HO models.
The official safety recall notice can be found on the Federal Government’s Product Recalls website here.
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