Engine top end catastrophically destructed causing the engine to stop, leading to possible accident. This vehicle has been serviced multiple times for a "ticking" sound. It was supposedly fixed, but then it catastrophically destructed on a 4 lane road leading me to almost be hit by a passing truck. The attached document contains letters that I have wrote to yamaha in the past to address this issue. The motorcycle was serviced "fixed" twice before the engine catastrophically destructed on june 13, 2019. The motorcycle is now being serviced at motorworld of el cajon in el cajon, ca. I have emailed yamaha that I am concerned that there product is unsafe. Also, I received a message from another yamaha xmax owner on june 30, 2019 that is having a similar experience.
The worst 2018 Yamaha Xmax problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine1
Recalls 2
Engine and engine cooling: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd. (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2018-2022 XMAX scooters. The camshaft retainer bolt may loosen and not properly secure the camshaft, resulting in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to ride their scooter until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will install a new camshaft plate kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 20, 2025. Owners may contact Yamaha's customer service at 1‑800‑962‑7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990184. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning November 24, 2025.
Recall number 25V778000 · Recall details
Visibility
- What is wrong
- Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2020 YZF-R3, 2020 MT03 and 2018-2020 XMAX scooters. Condensation or other contaminates may adhere to the rear reflector lens reducing its effectiveness.
- Risk
- A less reflective rear reflector increases the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1‑888‑266‑3085. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990139.
Recall number 20V611000 · Recall details
What 2018 Yamaha Xmax owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2018 Yamaha Xmax
Other model years
20182021
Questions about the 2018 Yamaha Xmax
Is the 2018 Yamaha Xmax reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2018 Yamaha Xmax, close to a typical Xmax model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Yamaha Xmax?
Engine and cooling, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2018 Yamaha Xmax have?
2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Yamaha Xmax engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 25V778000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2018 Yamaha Xmax?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history