Yamaha WaveRunner defect class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Mitchell Higgins filed a class action lawsuit against Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.
- Why: Higgins claims Yamaha sells WaveRunner personal watercraft with a fuel gauge defect.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court.
Yamaha Motor Corporation sells WaveRunner personal watercraft with a defect that causes their fuel gauges to prematurely read near zero when they are actually still filled to 40% to 50% of capacity, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Mitchell Higgins claims the alleged WaveRunner defect triggers a loud low fuel alarm that is “extremely annoying and disconcerting” and that there is no way to stop.
Higgins argues the low fuel alarm will briefly stop and that the fuel gauge will return to “normal” when the WaveRunner is idling, but that the alarm will ultimately sound again and the fuel gauge will drop back down to empty when the watercraft is throttled.
“There is no way to silence the fuel alarm for the return trip back shore. Once the fuel alarm sounds, the computer software for the dash locks out the touchscreen if there is any throttle input,” the Yamaha class action states.
Higgins wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers who have purchased a Yamaha watercraft within the last four years.
WaveRunner personal watercraft contain defective trip computer screens, says class action
Higgins argues the trip computer screen on the WaveRunner personal watercraft also contains a defect, which prevents riders from being able to keep track of their distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed if they take a short break in riding.
“These are defects that substantially impair the use and enjoyment of the watercraft, as it can safely be used for only about one-half its designed range,” the Yamaha class action states.
Higgins claims Yamaha is guilty of fraud by misleading statements or half-truth, and in violation of the Magnuson Moss Consumer Product Warranty Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.
The plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and requesting an award of actual and punitive damages for himself and all class members.
Yamaha announced it was recalling around 13,000 of its golf cars and personal transportation vehicles last month over concerns their accelerators could fail to return to their resting position.
Have you purchased a Yamaha watercraft within the past four years? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Daniel A. Edelman, Tara L. Goodwin, and Matthew J. Goldstein of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC.
The Yamaha Waverunner defect class action lawsuit is Higgins v. Yamaha Motor Corp. USA, Case No. 1:23-cv-05611, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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7 thoughts onYamaha class action alleges company sells WaveRunners with fuel gauge defect
its also the connext screens on there boats, hundreds of complaints and no parts available to fix the issue. fuel gauge doesnt work, numerous issues with the connext screens. no fix in sight, no help from Yamaha
Is there any update to this lawsuit?
I have purchased a 2023 yamaha fx cruiser from Columbia Powersports in SC with the same issue. Fuel guage goes out showing empty and alarm goes off. It sat at dealership for 6 months until they replaced fuel sending unit and meter guage but I still have the same issue. Yamaha Corporation told me it was a programming issue that they’re working on but dealership doesn’t know about it. It is a safety issue if you constantly have to stop and check your fuel and can’t focus on other watercraft around. I have a 4th appointment with dealership while it is still under warranty to see if there may be a software update. I haven’t been able to enjoy the watercraft since it is in shop most of the time.
100% support this. Bought a brand new 2023 FX cruiser Limited and it’s exactly as states, 50% fuel left and it’s setting off alarms. Too disruptive to enjoy after that starts. Huge error.. Wish I could return the thing. Dealer says Yamaha is going to release a flash to fix this but then they never do anything. They should 100% be accountable financially for this. I will never buy another Yamaha product.
Bravo on this class action lawsuit! I agree on all points of it.
Adquirí 3 yamaha waverunner VX Cruser en Cycle spring, clearwater, FL y los traje para Puerto Rico . Actualmente uno de ellos lo deje en Motorsport PR porque la pantalla se fue en blanco con apenas 36 horas y no se ve nada. El equipo prende y corre, pero no puedo ver la pantalla.
Estoy solicitando lo sometan a garantía y no lo quieren hacer alegando mal uso. Indican que le entro agua a los fuse ???? y a los conectores???
I have a ‘22 HO CRUISER with the Same problem. No help from Yamaha.